For those that have taken a look at my catalogue, and noticed the Remember the Dream images with models Christina Blank and Tiffany Murphy, I have news. If you have gone to my online store, World Of Vass, you have noticed that the entire designer clothing line is unavailable. That is not by my action.
Cafepress has decided that the depiction of a drawn likeness of the public figure, Dr. Martin Luther King, in conjunction with the rest of the image, is illegal. I disagree.
I believe that Dr. Martin Luther King is a public figure. His image and words are used by millions of people and businesses every year, and especially on his birthday and during Black History Month. He is as visually accessible as President Lincoln, or Mahatma Gandhi, or President Kennedy.
But I am no lawyer (if any are reading this I would love to know the legal standing here). I believe that in a drawn image where Dr. King is not the focus, but included, it is legal and should be available for use. And until I am told otherwise, I will find other means to make this image available to the masses.
I believe that the message of this t-shirt is more important than just the corporate opinion of one group. Let me explain.
Did you notice that all the men, regardless of age, have the same face? Did you notice all the issues that are facing the Black community today in the background? Do you see the relevance of the words of Dr. King and the meaning of what he gave his life trying to attain? And there are more levels to it.
Like my other more political designer clothing lines (Never Again and Stop The Game) there is more at stake than just the look of the clothing.
Maybe I have violated the terms of Cafepress. But to my knowledge, and more importantly for my goal of making a point that can be conveyed visually, I have not violated the thoughts of Dr. King. Keep an eye out, I will find a way to provide this image for sale.
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