Davey Jones Locker
They Not Like US
They Not Like US
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They Not Like Us Hoodie – DavyJonesLockers x Artis Atlas Gonzalez
The They Not Like Us hoodie is more than just a garment—it’s a declaration, a challenge, and a reflection of history’s uncomfortable truths. Designed in collaboration with Artis Atlas Gonzalez, the centerpiece of this hoodie is an art piece that speaks to the legacy of exploitation, cultural appropriation, and the systemic erasure of Black identity. Inspired by the life of Saartjie (Sara) Baartman, this design forces us to confront the way society has stolen, reshaped, and repackaged Black features and culture—rejecting the people they belong to while celebrating those who imitate them.
The Story Behind the Art
Saartjie Baartman was born in 1789 in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, a member of the Khoikhoi people. Orphaned at a young age and later enslaved, her body was commodified and objectified for European entertainment. In 1810, she was taken under false pretenses to Europe, where she was paraded as a human spectacle in freak shows under the derogatory name “Hottentot Venus.” Her physical features, particularly her curves, were exoticized and ridiculed—used to reinforce racist and hypersexualized narratives about Black women.
Even after her death in 1815 at just 26 years old, the exploitation did not stop. Her remains were dissected, studied, and put on display at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris for over a century, reinforcing pseudoscientific claims about Black inferiority. It wasn’t until 2002, after years of advocacy—including a formal request from Nelson Mandela—that her remains were finally returned to South Africa, allowing her to be laid to rest.
Yet, even today, her story echoes through time. The very same features that made her an object of ridicule and exploitation are now coveted and imitated by those who once deemed them unattractive.
The Meaning Behind the Design
At the center of the hoodie is an image that speaks volumes—a doll placed on the 1st place podium, symbolizing the modern beauty standard. This figure, a person of non-color, is adorned with the very features that Black women have been shamed for: full lips, high cheekbones, curves, textured hair. These traits, once labeled “ugly” or “freakish” on Sara Baartman, are now praised when worn by others—marketed, commodified, and glorified on celebrities like the Kardashians.
The torn, fragmented design resembles pages ripped from a magazine—a representation of how society picks and chooses the aspects of Blackness that are deemed acceptable, repackaging them into something profitable when worn by non-Black individuals. When Black women embody these same features naturally, they are ridiculed, fetishized, or deemed unprofessional.
This piece sat unfinished for a long time—something felt missing. Then Kendrick Lamar dropped a song that captured the essence of what the artist was trying to convey. They can imitate the style, the look, the features, the culture. They can tan their skin, plump their lips, copy the attitude, and claim the aesthetic. But at the end of the day, like Kendrick said:
"THEY NOT LIKE US."
Why This Hoodie Matters
The They Not Like Us hoodie isn’t just about acknowledging history—it’s about reclaiming the narrative. It challenges the way society continues to exploit Blackness while erasing Black people from the conversation. It’s a refusal to be defined by outside forces. A reminder that we don’t need validation from a system that was never built to uplift us.
This hoodie is for those who see through the illusion. For those who know the value of their culture, their history, and their identity. For those who refuse to let their legacy be stolen, diluted, or commodified without recognition.
Product Details:
✔️ Heavyweight premium cotton blend for lasting quality
✔️ Oversized fit for comfort and streetwear appeal
✔️ Intricate statement artwork on the front
✔️ Designed for those who move with purpose and wear their truth
This isn’t just clothing—it’s resistance. It’s history. It’s truth.
TheyNotLikeUs #DavyJonesLockers #ArtisAtlasGonzalez #StreetwearWithAStatement #BlackCultureMatters #HistoryUnfiltered
FABRICATION:
3-End Fleece
10 oz (340 GSM)
Solids: 80% Cotton, 20% Recycled Polyester
DETAILS:
Heavyweight fleece. No drawcords. Two-panel hood with double-needle topstitching on all seams. 1x1 ribbing at cuffs and waistband. Under 5% shrinkage.
CARE:
Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
FIT:
Oversize Fit
COO: Made in Pakistan
PLEASE NOTE: The garment dyed collection achieves its authentic look and feel through special dye and wash processes, which create unique and natural variances in texture, distress, and shade. These are intentional and are NOT considered defective. Please take care as the colors may transfer and/or fade. Wash separately. Avoid contact with pale fabric & surfaces, and follow our care instructions carefully.
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