“Don’t Be Shook” Hoodie
Wanna hear something funny? I almost didn’t release this hoodie. Which is ironic… because it literally says, “Don’t Be Shook.”
The hoodie is a re-design of the British “Keep Calm and Carry On” posters, circa World War II
Same structure. Similar sentiment. Updated crown.
Look closely, you’ll notice this crown features the Black Power fist.
Why? You know why!!!
“Don’t Be Shook” isn’t about pretending nothing rattles you. It’s a reminder to maintain your footing, even when the ground shifts.
Available in Red, Black, and Green.
Why? You know why!!!
Soft enough to live in. Durable enough to survive laundry day and existential thoughts.
Here are the deets:
• 50% pre-shrunk cotton / 50% polyester
• 8.0 oz fabric weight
• Air-jet spun yarn for softness and reduced pilling
• Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
• Front pouch pocket for cold hands (or supplies)
• Rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Double-needle stitching throughout
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
“Don’t Be Shook™” and crown design are original works by The Franklin Chronicles.
Who the @#$% is Franklin?
The truth is, I’m an imposter
Sort of…
I was born in the late '60s and grew up in the '70s. (Gen-X, stand up!) Like many in my generation, I was educated by PBS, sported latchkey bling, and was nourished on Kool-Aid and Dolly Madison snack cakes. At the time, nearly every Black character was named Franklin. There was Franklin Armstrong from Peanuts, and Roosevelt Franklin from Sesame Street. (For those of you keeping score, that makes two Black characters. That was pretty much it, until Fat Albert & The Cosby Kids.)
One day I found myself asking the question,
"Whatever happened to Franklin?"
I remember seeing the Peanuts Thanksgiving Special, where Franklin, the only Black kid in the neighborhood, sat by himself, on one side of the table. Having grown up in the suburbs, I thought, "Ha! I know exactly how that feels." I know how it feels to be…
"The only one."
The only one in the classroom,
The only one in the neighborhood,
And then as an adult;
The only one in the meeting,
The only one at the company.
While Charles Schulz may have created Franklin, I knew how it felt to be Franklin.
I am The Franklins!
(I hope to God nobody sues me.)
The Franklins are alive in me. We are all grown-up and middle-aged, with a family, a job, gray hair, and we are constantly marveling at the absurdity of it all.
And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
Dope-@$$ Trailer!
What Folks are Saying
"This American Life, huffing gasoline”
Mr. Varnado takes the listener on insightful jounts that go past the the everyday into detailed reflections, ala This American Life. With a twist of irreverence, the Chronicles may catch the unaware listener off-guard, surprising them with an ear-to-ear grin.."
— BigOxyMoron
“Ok. Call it a comeback!”
Varnado’s comedic timing is patient, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and silly. To see his logo and then to hear his podcast is to question—are you sure he ISN’T a beloved Peanuts character?
— Movie Review Man
“The Franklin Chronicles is one funny podcast.”
Any podcast where the lines “What’s wrong sweetie?, I inquired through a mouthful of cookies.” and “By all accounts I should have died that day.” appear in the same story must have something going for it.
— Summer Grasses