Discomfort Zone: The Story Behind the New Dissent Tank
Back when I was doing my research on the idea of a Powersuit, I came across the Notorious RBG Tumblr and fell in love with the fact that two women (Irin Carmen and Shana Knizhnik) were celebrating Ruth Bader Ginsburg like a new kind of octogenarian Supreme Court rap star.
I mean yeah, why not? The woman is legend.
Appointed in 1993, she was the second female Supreme Court Justice after Sandra Day O'Connor. Following Justice O'Connor's retirement, she was the only female justice on the Supreme Court and during that time, Ginsburg became "more forceful with her dissents," or votes that she would cast in opposition to the majority of the justices.
Dissent is defined as "holding or expressing opinions that are contrary to those previously, commonly, or officially expressed." To go against the grain, if you will.
On the Supreme Court, they're not that common. In fact, most Supreme Court rulings are majority or unanimous opinions - with all of the justices voting similarly.
Notorious RBG - The Life And Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ginsburg started to signal her dissents with what became known as "dissent collars." A collection of collars (some simple, some ornate; some with beads, or a ribbon tie) that she wore when she was getting ready to - in many cases - defend women's rights, counter dominant male views, or otherwise voice her opinion against "those previously expressed."
Real change does not happen without discomfort. Without the willingness to dissent.
We loved the collars so much, we asked local illustrator Kelly Bjork to help us create an exclusive dissent collars design. Because there will always be those times when we need to stand firm. When we need to stand up for what's right, not what's popular. In other words, we all need to dissent from time to time - and that's normal. Ruth Bader Ginsburg said so - which I think means justice is on your side.
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