Deray McKesson's vest is probably just as well known as the man himself, and in some cases, it overshadows him.

The activist's debut book, The Other Side of Freedom, is currently on sale and its pages are filled with stories from the past five years of his life, which have been quite the rollercoaster from our perspective. Very quickly, Deray has become one of the faces of modern black activism, and the book talks about his politics and the changes he'd like to make to the world.

Today’s the day! My book, On The Other Side of Freedom, is now out!

In a series of essays both personal & political, I reflect on the past 5 yrs, covering the most important stories & lessons learned. & I offer a vision for where we can go.

Get it: https://t.co/nKIZvsJUTE
pic.twitter.com/oDaq8sr4H4

— deray (@deray) September 4, 2018

In addition to political details, folks also wondered if the book would address the blue Patagonia vest Deray constantly rocks. Whether it's at a panel or that iconic blackity black Vanity Fair photo after the 2018 Oscars, Deray dresses it up, down, back and forth.

Squad. VF. #Oscars It was a good respite from the grind. And the work continues. Black people are magic.
A post shared by deray mckesson (@iamderay) on Mar 6, 2018 at 3:02pm PST

In doing press for the book, the activist finally revealed what's up with the down vest.

You know how the slogan for honoring the lives lost from 9/11 is "never forget?" Well, Deray is keeping that same energy through the bright blue article of clothing.

He told Buzzfeed's AM to DM he was wearing the vest while in Ferguson protesting the death of Michael Brown, and said, "I still wear it because it reminds me that all of the things that we went through were real."

He added, I've had this vest on when I was tear-gassed, when I was dragged out of the police department by my ankles, when I was shot at with bullets … This is my grounding piece. I have been in so many places that I could forget about what happened, and I never want to forget how fragile freedom is and was in those moments."

By the way, the reason he wore it during those protests is simple: it was cold.

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"It got cold really quick and I needed something to wear that I would never have to pack. And the vest was it," he said.

Oh, and just in case you're wondering if he ever draws a line, it's when he's visiting the doctor.

“The only place I don’t wear it consistently is the doctor’s office,” Mckesson told Vanity Fair. “I had strep throat and the last thing I want to do when I’m getting tested for strep is have a conversation.”

Now, check these out:

Deray Shares Powerful Narrative On #Blacklivesmatter And Being A Proud Black Gay Man

Patrisse Cullors On Black Lives Matter's 2018 Agenda, Her Response To 'When They Call You A Terrorist'

St. Louis Prosecutor Who Let Michael Brown’s Killer Walk Free Loses His Seat To Black City Council Member

blue vest

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