T-Shirts Get to Work During Natural Disasters

Monday 22nd of November 2010 03:44:45 PM

The Chili miners that were recently saved inspired the world. It was an event that could have been a disaster. The Haiti disaster gripped the attention of the world like no disaster has in many years. The grim pictures of dusty victims trying to find food and water will never be forgotten. Clothes in tatters, children crying, voices of victims under buried under rubble, and tired searchers are all symbols of a disaster of untold proportions.

Covering these disasters are many news reporters from a number of television stations. The reporters were in the middle of the disasters and most were wearing dark t-shirts. What was interesting about the dark t-shirts is that they became almost like uniforms in a symbolic manner. Firefighters and rescue workers and doctors all wear uniforms of standard issue, but in the case of the reporters the uniform became a simple black or grey t-shirt. To Haitians devastated by the earthquake, anyone perceived to be in a uniform represented much-needed stability. So the reporters in their black shirts were appreciated as symbols of a Haiti still connected to the outside world. The same was true during Pakistan flooding where men in uniforms meant help was on its way.

For reporters used to wearing clothes that are fashionable, it was quite a change to be wearing snug fitting dark colored t-shirts. But it also symbolized for viewers that the days after the earthquake, floods and mine collapse are not normal times. The plain t-shirts that became like uniforms in the weeks following the disasters were practical to wear too. Haiti is in a tropical zone and the weather is hot. After the earthquake, the broken terrain and collapsed buildings meant reporters, rescue workers, and Haitians had to climb over rubble just to walk down a street. It was filthy there too thanks to the settling dust. Practical clothing was in order and there is nothing more practical than a t-shirt. There are no sleeves to get in the way; they are comfortable to wear; and they are easy to clean.