Most horrific, grotesque, frightening acts leave vivid imprints in people’s memory. Every September, America pauses for a brief moment to memorialize the losses on 9/11. Memorial Day is a national holiday. Besides the immense pride instilled in these events, a never-ending array of corresponding apparel, bumper stickers, aprons, and decorations is sold. However, several sinister events led to an opportunistic cash grab in the 90’s. Instead of t-shirts honoring a national tragedy or deceased celebrity, certain incidents evolved into absurd historical tokens. The two episodes with the most online evidence are Ted Bundy’s execution and the 1993 Waco siege involving David Koresh’s Branch Davidians. Both situations had the nation in a chokehold, and bystanders seized the occasion by selling graphic t-shirts. Eager opportunists swarmed outside the Branch Davidian’s compound selling a variety of themed merchandise. The 51-day siege allowed vendors to get extremely creative, offering countless variations for customers to try out. I guess the items aren’t bootlegs because there is no original basis for the designs, but the lo-fi 90’s graphics play heavily into the vintage parking lot merch craze in recent years. The lines of booths and salesmen resemble a music festival far more than a horrific event resulting in 82 casualties. In a similar vein, Ted Bundy’s 1989 execution evolved into a fashion runway showcasing homemade creations. Bundy’s actions disgusted the country, and the crowd surrounding his death looked eerily excited. The Bundy bystanders favored custom shirts instead of the vendor-made goods from Waco, but that “Burn Bundy, Burn” caricature shirt is just too ridiculous not to mention. Some favored classic white crewnecks with simple references to his inevitable fate in the electric chair, while some went the extra step and tie-dyed their creation for a vibrant but laid-back effect. Although it seems odd to design a shirt glorifying a man’s death via electric shock or purchase a garment representing a cult leader, tantalizing situations usually trickle across all mediums, including fashion. Both events are embedded in American history and will continue to be explored through film, literature and of course - t-shirts.
3 Comments
Ward Johnson
3/5/2021 05:44:45 pm
That dude selling the Ted Bundy shirts was my uncle, George Johnson. I used to have a bunch of them that he didn't sell.
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Thomas Johnson
10/24/2022 07:59:15 pm
My favorite Cousin. Loved me some George. I Had one of the original shirts, but have lost track of it over the years. Would love another one!
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Brent D
1/15/2024 09:09:06 pm
Do you have any of the shirts left?
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AuthorMax Theriot Archives
November 2019
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