Aaron Tamez, 17, from Houston, Texas, wanted to shut down haters with a simple but straightforward message.
He found a t-shirt on Etsy that perfectly addressed everything he wanted to say. The organic $18.99 tee featured a message that read: “Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic when you could just be quiet?”
Aaron posted pictures of his shirt on Twitter — and its powerful message resonated with thousands of people.
A LOOK pic.twitter.com/ZlIEMCP5z2
— aaron (@lustdad) January 6, 2017
The tweet soon went viral and people on the Internet applauded his fashionably bold attire. Aaron says that as a gay teen he liked the message, “if you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say it at all.”
People on the Internet were blown away by it and loved that fashion could directly target and diminish hate.
— Just Saiyan (@killhermike) January 7, 2017
@llama_ajol SML 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/TcBnQiBddZ
— kent (@kenaaard) January 8, 2017
Others said that Aaron’s t-shirt is a perfect way to get through to close-minded people.
I NEED THIS TOP TO SHUT MY SISTER INLAW UP WITH HER HOMIPHOBIC COMMENTS
— Tiara Rose (@BIEBERSMOSTERT) January 7, 2017
This made my Day, especially that a young man like you stand up + speak out loud against Hate. Others will follow your example. My Respect 👏 https://t.co/MRwq8FrXcm
— Juergenland (@juergenland) January 10, 2017
Aaron tells mitú that he chose to buy the shirt because he liked its message and because he remembered what it was like to have haters in the past.
“I was bullied as a child,” Aaron tells mitú. “Though only in middle school.”
Aaron says he has never taken a political stand like this before, and never thought his tweet would go viral. He also says that his friends and family have been really supportive.
“My mom is really proud of me for standing up and speaking out,” Aaron says.
Aaron says because he’s gotten so much attention from this tweet, his friends joke that he’s famous now. We’re sure this is just the beginning for Aaron and his fashion statements.
READ: 11 T-Shirts Every Latino Needs In Their Life
Have you ever worn something that has gotten a lot of attention? Share this story and let us know in the comments below.
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