10 gifts to make the holidays black af

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, or just the end of Donald Trump’s first year in office, you could do to make bringing in 2018 a little Blacker for your friends, family and loved ones. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compile a list of ten Blackety Black gifts for the holidays. From sweaters that put racist grandmas in their place to a Fela Kuti boxset curated by Ms. Badu herself, here are some gifts to make your holidays Black AF:

1. ‘Fuck Your Racist Grandma’ Sweater:

New Jersey-based student Olatiwa Karade has been designing clothes and putting together AFROPUNK looks for some time, but only recently did she create Splendid Rain Co., the in-your-face political clothing line behind sweaters like the one that reads “F*ck your racist grandma.” Other sweatshirts include one that reads “Don’t touch me, don’t touch my hair, don’t touch my culture,” “Africa is not a country” and “Columbus was a murderer,” which she wore to school on Columbus Day.

“I had to realize that it’s human to be upset about something that was upsetting, and I had a right to feel anger,” she told HuffPo. “If I’m stopping myself because I’m angry, I need to figure out how to make that into something else and recreate it into something productive that helps me cope with my anger as opposed to just sitting in it. ”

You can buy one of these dope sweaters on her Etsy page now!

2. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History‘ Picture Book:

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History is a beautiful picture book that explains each historical figure’s impact and accomplishments alongside a gorgeous illustration. Counting among its fans the likes of Ava DuVernay and Chelsea Clinton, the book serves as an inspiration and education to little Black children who are often forced to see themselves in the media in a negative light, if at all.

Purchase a copy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble today!

3. ‘Trap Santa’ Gear:

Trap Santa Series is a new holiday novelty brand “specializing in the baddest greeting cards and unisex holiday sweaters.” Created by Maureen and Funmi, the brand’s mission is not only to offer a Blacker alternative to the traditional holiday gift options, but to support other Black artists and business owners who are similarly interested in changing the creative landscape.

Check out some of their merchandise on their website here!

4. Fela Kuti boxset curated by Erykah Badu:

Everyone’s auntie, Ms. Erykah Badu has signed up to curate the fourth installment of the fabulous Fela Kuti Box Set project that catalogs the Afrobeat icon’s extensive discography. Badu’s box set will contain the albums, Yellow Fever (1976), No Agreement(1977), J.J.D. (Johnny Just Drop) (1977), V.I.P. (1979), Coffin For Head of State (1980), Army Arrangement (1984), and 1992’s Underground System.

Get it here!

5. Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer Comic Series:

Your favorite revolutionary is back and taking on the comic world in writer David Crownson’s latest project Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer. Worlds collide as history takes the reigns in this new series–pushing the boundaries of medium, and personalizing Tubman’s story for a whole new audience.

Check out the digital version of Harriet Tubman:Demon Slayer #1 here!

6. Black Excellence Playing Cards:

“The goal of the Black Excellence Edition is to reflect the modern-day Black person in all of our glory – with as many different facial features, complexions, hair types and hairstyles that we could fit into a 54 standard playing cards deck, show our beauty and diversity in a way that only we can when we own the narrative.”

Purchase them here!

7. ‘Chillin’ Tote Bags:

“Our quality crafted Tote Bags are hand sewn in America using durable, yet lightweight, poly poplin fabric. All seams and stress points are double stitched for durability. They are washable, feature original artwork on both sides and a sturdy 1″ wide cotton webbing strap for comfortably carrying over your shoulder.”

Purchase here!

8. Blairisms Clothing

“Jesus said to love your enemies, NOT to keep their asses around” –– This is one of the messages of Blairisms, a lifestyle brand founded by DC-based, Black, queer couple, Blair and Brandon Dottin-Haley. Blairisms celebrates Blackness, queerness, and resistance in the age of Trump (“Not my fucking president!” is another Blairism), using inspirational and sometimes cheeky messages on apparel and other items.Check out more here!

9. Ghostnotes Photo Book:

Photographer B+ has been playing with the greats for decades, documenting and illuminating the spaces between the music. His new book Ghostnotes is a visual mixtape. It ditches narrative or context, instead drawing visual links between producers, DJs, rappers, old jazz musicians, audiences, and neighborhoods. The image descriptions are saved for the end. It’s clear B+ would prefer you don’t look at it at all, but if you must know, here it is.

Order it here!

10. And even if you missed out on AFROPUNK Joburg…

You can still scoop some of the incredible wares being featured at this year’s Joburg fest! Just in time for the fall holidays, we’ve picked out some one-of-a-kind gifts sold by vendors we’re hosting at the inaugural festival. Check them out here!