The Son of a Field Negro Tee derives from the Malcolm X speech "message to the grass roots". In his speech Malcolm makes the distinction between the house Negro and the field negro. The house Negro is described as conciliatory and loyal to his slave owner; conversely, the field Negro despises his owner and all that the system of slavery represents. The Son of a Field Negro T-Shirt pays homage to the ancestors and more importantly illustrates that the struggle continues.