The October 2025 T-Shirt of the Month pays tribute to the French philosopher Michel Foucault, born on October 15, 1926. His ideas have deeply influenced the way we understand power, control, and resistance. The phrase “Where there is power, there is resistance” perfectly summarizes his insight that power and resistance are inseparable.
Power as a relational force
Foucault did not view power as a possession held by a few or exercised only from above. He described it as a web of relationships and interactions that runs through all levels of society. Power exists wherever people interact - in families, schools, institutions, and workplaces. It is not a fixed object but a dynamic force that flows through structures and practices.
In this framework, resistance is not an anomaly. It emerges naturally wherever power is exercised. It can be loud or quiet, collective or individual. It may take the form of protest, noncompliance, or creative defiance. For Foucault, power is never total, and resistance is always present.
No system, however dominant, can entirely control people without encountering pushback. This simple observation makes Foucault’s thought both empowering and unsettling.
Critique of liberal democracy
Foucault was also critical of modern liberal societies. He argued that what we often celebrate as freedom and rational governance hides intricate systems of control. The modern state, according to him, disciplines not through overt coercion but through subtle mechanisms - norms, surveillance, and social expectations.
His idea of the panopticon describes how power operates through the possibility of being watched. People internalize surveillance, regulating themselves to conform. Today, in an age of algorithms, digital tracking, and social media visibility, Foucault’s analysis feels more relevant than ever.
Resistance as creation
For Foucault, resistance was not simply opposition. It was a creative act that generates new ways of living and thinking. Resistance begins when individuals question authority, imagine alternatives, and transform their everyday practices.
The Power and Resistance design captures this tension. It reminds us that change rarely starts from the top. It begins with individuals and communities who dare to think differently and act together. Resistance is not only struggle but also imagination - the will to reshape the world.
The design by Conny Ochs+
The artwork for this month’s release was created by Conny Ochs, an illustrator and musician. His minimalist yet powerful composition translates Foucault’s theory into a visual form. The typography gives the quote a sharp, almost architectural presence.
Like all dna merch products, the shirt is made to order, reducing waste and overproduction. It is produced from 100% organic cotton, printed with eco-friendly inks, and manufactured under fair conditions.
Why it matters today
Power relations are everywhere : in workplaces, politics, education, and technology. Recognizing them is the first step toward challenging them. Foucault’s insight reminds us that awareness itself can be a form of resistance.
The Power and Resistance T-shirt is therefore more than clothing. It is a wearable reflection of critical thought. It invites you to carry an idea, not just a design.
Get your October 2025 T-Shirt of the Month now at dnamerch.de and wear Foucault’s timeless reminder: Where there is power, there is resistance.