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Ali - IF T-Shirt Pics

Hi, everyone. The Ali-Richard Kipling, IF t-shirt just came in and looks great!!! Here are some pictures showing it.

America's Pursuit of Freedom

This past Saturday was the 145th anniversary celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day where the abolotion of slavery was announced in Galveston Texas on June 19, 1865.

Even though Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, it had minimal effect on most slaves' every day lives. Texas, exemplified this by being resistant to the proclamation. It took 2 years for General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal soldiers to arrive in Galveston, Texas to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. On June 19, 1865 General Granger read the contents of General Order No. 3:

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

That day has since been known and celebrated as Juneteenth. Today Juneteenth commemorates American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a time for reflection through celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. Juneteenth is recognized in cities across the country by people of all backgrounds and nationalities to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.

Here are some Juneteenth celebrations.
Ohio, Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia

Juneteenth is another day marking America's continual pursuit of freedom and indepence for those within its borders. Freedom does not come easy and is continually the result of dogged persistance and turmoil. However, it does come, this time more than 2 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation AND almost 90 years after American Independence.

T Magic World Review

The first group of shirts being reviewed is from T.Magic an artist/entrepreneur from London, England. What I like the most about T.Magic is his spirit and ability to convey it through his t-shirt designs. You can feel the hustle and grind that is put into his business. The first shirt "Art is my Hustle" defines that better than anything. T.Magic has been featured all over including the BBC, MTV, and others trying to keep up with him. One of the features highlighted his workshop and lecture series with year 10's and 11's creating t-shirt designs with their own _ is my _ themes. Another event focused on his T. Magic x NikeiD collaboration. You have to check out the outcome of Nike and shirts to get a solid understanding. More information on this artist/hustler can be found at T.MagicWorld. This is just a small sampling of the shirts and everything that T.Magic has going on.


Art is my Hustle

The Art is my Hustle is one of my favorites that he offers. It definitely shows his ability to combine his artistic and entrepreneurial skills. For all the struggling artists that need inspiration for how to turn your talent into cash T. Magic can provide it.

Make Art Not WarThe Make Art Not War shirt is another great shirt offered by T. Magic. These two shirts are definitely representative of his style of art.

Introducing T-Shirt Reviews Feature Added to Soul Renaissance Tees

This blog post will be the introduction of a new feature that you, the community will be able to benefit from. We will be introducing you to some of the best independent t-shirt design artists and offerings that exemplify the themes found here. The enterprising, neo soul flava, dedication to excellence, and more concepts that have been placed on tshirt (tees, t-shirts) apparel will be found and offered to you. So if you know of any shops that meet that criteria that would like to get featured here send them this way.

IF T-Shirt Inspired by Ali and Kipling

I just completed a t-shirt and design inspired by Ali and Kipling's IF poem. You can find it here at Soul Renaissance Tees.

Ali often used poetry to make predictions about his fights, to poke fun at his opponents or just highlight his sense of humor for the public and press. He was also inspired by poems, such as IF by Rudyard Kipling. IF was published in 1909 or 1910 and is meant to provide instruction through the illustration of the traits and characteristics of great leaders. It has become anthologized as a great inspirational poem that is a blueprint for integrity and self development.

Many of the maxims have been heralded by athletes and sports figures including Ali. Below is a reading of IF by tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

What could you do, IF...

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Typography: IF by Rudyard Kipling from George Horne on Vimeo.

Ali - What Does It Mean To Be Great

I recently took a trip down to Louisville, KY to visit the Ali Center hoping to learn the philosophies that made Cassius Clay (aka Muhammad Ali) great. What I came away with was that and a whole lot more. The center fulfills its purpose of serving as a cultural attraction and an international education center that “strives to inspire you to pursue your potential and explore the greatness that lies within yourself”.

The center does a great job in combining the life and story of Ali and boxing with a social commentary of the times that helped form the philosophies of Ali. By age 12 Ali knew that he wanted to become a heavy weight boxing champ. This goal and his Christian upbringing largely created his drive and desire for perfection and excellence. Early on, those around him witnessed his focus for detail and insatiable appetite for anything boxing. That appetite for information led him to create his own training methods and unique boxing style. What made Ali great though was his desire to champion the African American cause through his stance on the war. Ali stated (and I’m paraphrasing)…

Why would I go and fight…and you won’t even fight for my justice and equality here in America.

Ali sacrificed much while standing up for his convictions least of which was his heavyweight title. Ali became the voice and face for a people giving them the pride and courage to be black. I believe this is the driving force that led to his conversion to Islam from Christianity. The poem IF by Richard Kipling contains the 6 virtues that Ali believed and led to his greatness.

…If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:…

Just as inspiring as the life and story of Ali was the photography and art galleries within the center. As an art appreciator with so-so talent it was awesome to see the artwork of Simon Bull and photography of Howard Bingham. The time the artists spent perfecting their craft can clearly be seen in the works on display. These artists have an awesome collection of work focused on Muhammad Ali. Hopefully, I will be able to see if any of my talent still exists and can upload some inspired work to show off.

Signing off…