Nathan Zed, a YouTuber with around 400,000 subscribers, recently launched a merch campaign called “Good Enough”. The line of shirts comes with a rose drawing and the words “Good Enough” printed on it in 4 colors. There are also hats and decals available.
This line isn’t a cheap marketing stunt and his unimaginable success from the line is a testament to the importance of his work.
Zed is of Ethiopian descent, and has struggled with depression in his past. He has even made a video titled “You’re Not Good Enough,”in which he addresses the presence of a voice in his head that always tells him he’s bad. Zed’s “Good Enough” T-Shirt line, introduced in a video uploaded 5 months later titled “You Actually Are Good Enough,” used people of color for all the modeling of the shirts. His purposeful use of representation validates the mental health problems that are usually overlooked in most diverse communities.
This line, in its entirety, is incredibly important. It showcases a whole new perspective on mental health recovery in non-white communities and boosts the value the cultural and social identities of everyone who wears it. It encourages its participants to view themselves as “good enough” and ignore the voice that tormented Zed himself.
Zed regularly reposts pictures of fans wearing the shirts on his Instagram story and encourages his audience to embrace themselves.
I personally have bought the Good Enough shirt in burgundy, and when I wear it, I feel powerful. Simply the notion that I own a physical reminder of my worth boosts me. The shirt is a reminder to me that I—despite being mediocre at many things my peers excel at—am good enough.
I am good enough, and that’s all that matters.
