The Meaning Behind OBEY | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Meaning Behind OBEY

Do people REALLY know what they're supporting when they buy his clothing?

10174
The Meaning Behind OBEY

Lately on campus, I've seen fellow members of our student body wearing Shepard Fairey's line, OBEY. One of the most recent experiences was walking in between class when a young man and who I presume was his significant other (female) walking on the sidewalk. Their conversation dealt with the upcoming weekend and whether or not she wanted to hang out with him and his friends. At this point, the young man looked over her and said "nah, you'll do what I tell you to do. See this shirt? See what it says? It says OBEY. Obey me, b***h!"

Appalled, I stopped for a minute to think about the direct disregard for Fairey and his actual ideals. Minutes later, I saw a different person walking with a similar sweatshirt on with the word OBEY written largely across the chest. Since it was someone I sort of knew, I approached him and asked him why he was wearing such a shirt. He replied almost laughing that he just thought the shirt was funny because it said OBEY.

I started to wonder, does anyone really know what Fairey's line is about?

When Shepard Fairey created the OBEY Campaign, I doubt that he anticipated young men wearing it as a way to mistreat women and racial minorities. In theory, Fairey wanted to spark a counterculture movement "rooted in the Do It Yourself" ideals. Now 45, Fairey's OBEY Clothing company sells hundreds of products that are geared towards sparking a conversation among youth. Considered an activist, Fairey continues to push his messages with street art and regular artwork around the world.


So what is the Do It Yourself campaign? Well, according to their website, the campaign stems from the punk rock era and features various popular culture and political marketing (or sarcasm). In a sense, some of the purpose behind Fairey's clothing lines and artwork is a direct use of propaganda. By definition, according to Merriam-Webster, is the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.

So what is Fairey attempting to injure? Well, from some of the bigger pieces by the artist, you'd assume it was the idea of government. In fact, you might go so far as to say he's a tad anti-establishment. Though, he has the right ideas.

Fairey believes that "the medium is the message," and he is able to facilitate that conversation through his clothing. While his intention was not to create the conversation I overheard, I do think it's meant to get people to start talking. And if I have any words of advice for my fellow friends who own some of his clothing, do some research.

It's not just a funny T-shirt.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

5 Ways To Bring Positivity Into Your Life When All You Want To Do Is Drown In Self-Pity

It seems like life has been serving up more bad than good and in all honesty, the only thing you want to do is crawl under your covers and hide from the rest of the world.

75
5 Ways To Bring Positivity Into Your Life When All You Want To Do Is Drown In Self-Pity
Photo by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

The first two weeks of classes have come to an end and they have been anything BUT easy. It seems like life has been serving up more bad than good and in all honesty, the only thing you want to do is crawl under your covers and hide from the rest of the world.

Although this seems like the best solution, it is also the easy way out. Take it from the girl who took basically a whole week off from her life because she just could not handle everything that was being thrown at her. This caused her to feel extremely lonely and even more stressed out for being behind in classes that JUST began.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends

1. Thank you for being my person.

2. Thank you for knowing me better than I know myself sometimes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Things We Learned From Brooke Davis

"What's more important? What we become or how we become it?"

57
Brooke Davis

"She was fiercely independent, Brooke Davis. Brilliant, and beautiful, and brave. In two years she had grown more than anyone I had ever known. Brooke Davis is going to change the world someday, and I'm not sure she even knows it." - Lucas Scott, An Unkindness of Ravens

Brooke Davis of the hit show One Tree Hill was the it girl - she had it all, or so we thought. She started out as a stuck-up, shallow, spoiled, head cheerleader who didn't have her life together. She slept around a lot and loved to party - sounds like your typical high school teenager right? Wrong. B. Davis had so much more to offer. Caring, loyal, and outspoken, she has taught us some valuable lessons throughout the 9 seasons that OTH was on the air:

Keep Reading...Show less
Honorary Roommate
Rachel Zadeits

For some of us, coming to college was the first time we ever had to share a room. It was a big change, but a fun one. As you meet more and more people over the course of your college career, it seems to be a pattern that you will at some point have that one friend that doesn't live with you, but acts like they do. We call those people, "Honorary Roommates" and here are 11 signs you have one in your life.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons Why It's Awesome When Your Best Friend Gets New Friends

She may not be with you 24/7 but it's all good because you're soul sisters.

1895
super friends
Gabi Morales

We all have a person, and when that person makes some new friends, we tend to forget all the great things that can come out of it. Never forget how special they are to you and why you are best friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments