It's Hot Outside. How About A T-Shirt That Says Something About You?

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

I live in Philadelphia. It's April. It should be about 60 degrees outside, but instead we're heading for a sweltering 90 degrees today. Babygirl was scheduled to show up for Show & Tell at my sons' school today and I had to dig deep to find a t-shirt for her. And for me too. Two days ago, I was looking for warm pajamas for her, today I'm hunting down sun hats and sunscreen.

Well, just in case, dear readers, you too are looking for a t-shirt to wear and you want to spend some cash on a new shirt that will not only keep you cool, but will have you looking cool too, please remember that one of my many side gigs is running whatrugear.com, a t-shirt company for people who want to wear their identity in style. Due to some administrative oversight (um, I forgot to pay a bill) our web address has changed slightly. You can now find us at www.whatrugear.squarespace.com. Please spread the word.

And as always, give us your ideas for new t-shirt slogans you'd like to see.

I'm listening and taking notes.

Peace!

Whatrugear.com Update

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

I just wanted to give you the latest update about my side hustle, my t-shirt company, Whatrugear.com. For those of you new to the Meltingpot, in 2008 I launched an online t-shirt company that speaks to my commitment to get the conversation started on race and identity in everyday life. I figure if your identity is plastered across your chest, then people will have an easy way to begin an otherwise awkward conversation.

I've worn the shirts around myself and I've witnessed the power of the messages we've created. Seriously. People in grocery stores and on the street always ask, "what does your shirt mean?" I love it.

So anyway, since I'm also a full-time college professor, a mom and a writer, unfortunately whatrugear.com has not gotten my full attention. We have a great intern who's been keeping the mixie conversation alive on the ?RU Blog but I admit, the company hasn't been the roaring success we had hoped for. That being said, we have lowered the prices on our shirts in recognition of these tough economic times and to see if lower prices might move more product. We're calling it our "Recession Special." So, for now all of our shirts (and adorable Mixed to Perfection onesies) are priced below $20. They're still 100% cotton, sweat-shop free, and made in the USA.

On the bright side, a new store -- that will carry a wide range of products for the mixie community -- is about to launch and will be carrying our shirts.

In the meantime, I'm curious to see how the price change will effect sales. If any one of you have any great sales advice, you know I'm listening.

Peace!

Mixie Mondays over at WhatRUgear! (And a Giveaway Too)

Okay, so this is a blatant act of shameless self-promotion. Except I'm not really promoting myself, I'm promoting one of my other ventures, my t-shirt and accessories company, ?RU. Over at ?RU, we make t-shirts and accessories for people who don't fit nicely into a single identity box. That's all of you Mixie folks, people in transracially adoptive families, people like myself involved in an interracial relationship and of course any and all of the people who just believe in our mission. Our shirt slogans include, Mixed to Perfection and Ambiguously Brown.

My business partner and I actually recently came in second place in a local business plan competition which has given us the encouragement to carry on with this crazy endeavour. Why "crazy?" It's not because we don't believe in our mission to spark conversations about identity politics with hip, attractive t-shirts, it's "crazy" because we both have full-time jobs, kids and households to run in addition to getting this business off the ground. But we're counting on the power of YOU to help us out.

We are forgoing traditional advertising, concentrating on word of mouth efforts to spread the word about the company. You can become a fan of whatrugear on Facebook, you can follow whatRUgear on Twitter and every Monday, you can check in on the whatRUgear Blog for a Mixie Monday posting. In fact, right now if you become a fan of ours on Facebook, you can vote to help us decide what the next color shirt we debut will be.

Now of course you're saying, well what's in it for me? And I can happily respond that anyone who posts a link about ?RU on their site, Tweets about us and/or becomes a fan on our Facebook page will automatically be entered to win one of our gorgeous shirts. And that's any shirt of your choosing. Send me a comment that lets me know how you've helped spread the word, and that will be your official entry into the drawing for a shirt. Comments must be received by Tuesday October 13 at 8pm. A winner will be announced on Wednesday October 14.

Okay, I'm taking off my shameless plug hat now, and wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday.

Peace!

Healing and a Video

Hello Meltingpot Readers,

Yesterday I had my four wisdom teeth yanked from my skull. I don't remember any of it of course, but today I am in much pain. So instead of a fun filled post chocked full of multicultural enlightenment, would you please take a moment to check out the video my partner and I created for our company ?RU. You know the one where we sell t-shirts and accessories for people who don't fit nicely into a single identity category. Be warned, I cried after watching it.

Please tell me what you think and I'll be back on Friday.

Peace and Painkillers!

p.s. And don't forget to post your comments on Monday's entry about Carleen Brice for your chance to win a free copy of her new novel, Children of the Waters. Thanks to those of you who already have!

Happy Holidays: The Meltingpot Is on Vacation

Dear Meltingpot Readers,

I'd like to thank you for your continued support through 2008. I love blogging knowing people are actually reading what I have to say. It's great to see your comments and they inspire me to be an even better blogger, which I plan to do in 2009. More interviews, more book reviews and more observations of this fabulous Meltingpot we're living in today.

So, it sounds like I'm preparing for a goodbye, which I am. We're going to Spain for the holidays and I don't know if I'll have access to the internet on a regular basis. In the meantime, please check out my friend Rose-Anne's new blog called Currents Between Shores. She's a Haitian-American, married to a German, living in Berlin raising three boys. She's a great journalist and a keen observer of race and culture. Her blog is truly fascinating. Check it out if you have a chance.

And then, if you want to get really freaked out, angry and perhaps inspired to action, go check out my new favorite blog by author Carleen Brice. To promote her idea of National Buy A Book by a Black Author and Give it to Somebody Not Black Month, Brice penned a great editorial for the Washington Post and in response she received over 100 emails, most of them negative. I cried when I read how many White people claim they don't read books by Black authors because Black people only write about slavery and sex and that we whine and complain too much. Or that we just don't know how to write very well which is why we struggle at the bookstores. (Can you see the steam coming out of my ears?) If you have a chance, please visit Carleen's site, read the article and comments and then talk amongst yourselves. But I'm warning you, it isn't pretty. Have a big swig of Pepto-Bismal before reading.

And finally, I can't say goodbye without mentioning my new baby, ?RU. In the upcoming year, we're hoping to grow our line of clothing dedicated to folks who don't feel they fit into a single identity box. Check us out at whatrugear.com and feel free (please) to leave us a message and tell us what you think of what we're offering so far, and what you'd like to see in the future.

Thanks and here's to a healthy and happy holiday season!

Peace!

p.s. I'll be back to the blogosphere on January 5, 2009