TNT UNITY, LLC. (Time for a New Tradition) started with three likeminded friends startled by the resurgence of Confederate flag-waving. As Confederate flags come down from government buildings,
dissent and "Southern heritage" rallies rise up in sometimes-bitter and vocal protest. At the same time a larger, more vital shift in thinking across America is occurring. It centers on ideas of love and of "justice for all."
Times like these demand a symbol to capture the turning point. Transforming the image of the Confederate flag to become an icon of inclusion that everyone can be proud of became our objective – and with this flag design, we successfully capture the moment
and the mood. Further, by donating 10% of our proceeds to nonprofits that work toward eradicating prejudice, we hope to promote peace and to shorten the journey of those among us who still struggle for equality.
What is it?
A wearable (or wave-able!) expression of peace, pride and unity, our flag appropriates the colors of the Confederate flag and incorporates the rainbow flag and the hip-hop unity flag. We've created a t-shirt and flag design so iconic that all but the most
diehard racists would be proud to wear it.
What Does it Mean?
* On the one side of the flag are the rainbow colors in an array that reflects the ancient Inca flag, whose colors have come to stand for freedom – freedom of expression, freedom from discrimination and freedom from prejudice, hate and judgment.
* On the other side are the colors of the hip-hop unity flag. The unity colors are vertical because they signify colors of all humans, side by side, with none above the other.
* At the center of it all is peace. Transforming the iconic blue bars and white stars in the Confederate flag from an
X into a circle of peace, while preserving the historic colors, aims to build on the sacrifices and struggles of Southern heritage while rejecting its one-time goal of armed and violent secession.
Mission
Create and build wide distribution of an iconic symbol to mark this vital time in our history.
Objectives
1. Influence like-minded individuals to purchase, wear and create conversation with the shirt, flag and other related merchandise.
2. Reach people who agree that it is time for social change and may be looking for a way to badge themselves as social activists in a nonverbal yet powerful way, to communicate the urgent and pressing message of peace, pride and unity.
3. Provide a tool for individuals who are politically engaged
and not afraid to let others know of their opinions.
Why does it matter?
* People are talking about needed change, but few have the vehicle or necessary clout to do something concrete about it.
* Clothing and other personal items – accessories, personal electronics, vehicles, media consumed – are all extensions of personal expression. An attractive, easy and more meaningful way to express conviction may encourage people who may not normally gravitate
toward "themed" t-shirts or flags.
What is the most compelling idea that will get people engaged?
* Peace, pride and unity is worth standing up for.
* It’s time for a new tradition.
Reasons to believe the idea
* Symbols are critically important in our culture as notations of time and traditions.
* When a threshold has been crossed, such as the recent decision of many municipalities to remove the Confederate flag from public places, it is important to "mark time" with a symbol to serve as a 'sign of the times' that will identify that a new tradition
is developing.
* Group members need an icon that identify them as adherents.
What do we want people to do?
* Purchase a shirt, wear it and use it to begin conversations about the topic. We would also like them to take a selfie of themselves in the shirt and forward it to friend and/or through social media and in person gatherings.
* Buy the flag and show up with it at any public gathering where the Confederate flag is being celebrated and promoted.
Coming 2016!
Tank Top V-neck T TNT Baseball cap
TNT Board shorts