Courtesy of Ravi Dosaj Designs like this one are featured in The Original Lefty's clothing line to express left-leaning political views.

Original Lefty's clothing line gives voice to liberal youth

Ryan Denham

Special to the Daily Sundial Although nudity and streaking have long been easy ways for political and social activists to get attention in a hurry, this November's election might be fought, in part, by those same activists, but this time they are armed with a new weapon: left-leaning clothing.

  With its beginnings in Southern California native Cory Danziger, The Original Lefty's is a new clothing line geared toward those interested in politics, and also interested in displaying their liberal side and their dissatisfaction with the current administration's status quo.  

The clothing line already appears in stores throughout Southern California, and as September approaches, The Original Lefty's will be available in stores throughout the entire country.

  Danziger, founder and owner of The Original Lefty's line of apparel, said he created the clothing line in response to what he felt was a disappointing Urban Outfitters' shirt design, which said 'Voting Is For Old People." 'I liked Urban Outfitters and thought they had more regard for my generation than a shirt like that implies," Danziger, 27, said.

  One of the main focuses of The Original Lefty's is emphasizing that the political process is meant to be influenced by young people.  

To contrast, Danziger's clothing is satirical in nature, often poking fun at President George W. Bush's administration and corporate America, by combining imagery and criticism. One of the graphic tees from The Original Lefty's displays an altered Starbucks logo with a photo of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice in the center. The company name reads, 'Warbucks: Iraq Oil." Another design relies on simplicity. In basic black text, the shirt reads: '$130 billion spent in Iraq and I all got was this lousy T-shirt."  

The Original Lefty's has begun its national push by appearing, most recently, in New York City during the Republican National Convention. Danziger has donated clothing to United for Peace and Justice, one of the principal organizers of early major protests this past week. Also, a portion of all T-shirt sales is being donated to an organization associated with the liberal movement. This month, those donations are going to the American Civil Liberties Union.

  The Original Lefty's clothing will be available in stores in the San Fernando Valley beginning in September at both Boku Mangos in Woodland Hills and Body in Encino. The owner of Boku Mangos has good reason for wanting to carry the clothing line. 'When they approached one of my employees, one of my girls, she just thought the clothes were funny," she said.

  Danziger's main push prior to November is getting the word out to college students, who, he said, still understand the power of being young and politically thoughtful.

  'So far, we've received a great reaction from college students," Danziger said. 'They respect it and realize that if they can't get their sentiments off their chest(s), they can wear it on their chest(s)."

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