The teachers at the Tyrrell Middle School have now moved to outlaw T-shirts of the band OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) worn by students. Teachers initially thought the students were wearing T-shirts which sported a cat's face with an upside down crucifix on its forehead, were in support of the animals, but soon learned the T-shirts actually were from the band Odd Future. In response to this knowledge the T-shirts were banned because the band "stands for something vile".
Updated 03/27/2013: Another article on this story.
http://exclaim.ca/News/connecticut_school_reportedly_bans_vile_odd_future_shirts
My question is… how did the teachers come across this knowledge and what do they deem "vile". My guess, its the anti-gay lyrics of the Off Future songs. When pressed about the anti-gay lyrics in an interview Tyler the Creator, member of Odd Future, indicated it was a joke.
Joke or not, its not apparent from the article if wearing an Odd Future T-shirt indicates you're anti-gay, or just like their music. That said, just a week earlier in the same school district, a different student was challenged when trying to sell anti-gay T-shirts. The ACLU stepped in and got the school district to allow the student to wear the T-shirt in school.
Wolcott school district certainly is a hotbed of activity concerning gays in school. These two articles are a clear example of how powerful a T-shirt can be. With just an image, it can parlay a powerful message spanning the nation into debate.
Want to be seen and make a statement for your cause and/or belief - wear a T-shirt with a powerful message.
What's your message?
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