McClain Johnson believes “BOLO” is more than just an acronym; it’s a lifestyle. Johnson, mass communication sophomore, used his own money to fund this idea, which he started a couple of years ago.

“I basically saw a need for it. I just figured that there was a market for those who know of the BOLO BOLO lifestyle,” he said.

To promote this lifestyle, Johnson recently designed a maroon shirt with gold lettering that says “BOLO BOLO.” His Be On the Lookout business is still in its first steps with this first batch of 25 shirts.

After he developed the shirts, he jumped online and created a Facebook group called “BOLO BOLO: The T-shirt.” The group is listed under “Just for Fun -Inside Jokes” and has more than 63 members.

On the site, the profile lists his phone number, where students can call and purchase the shirts for $15.

Johnson invited his friends Claire Hermes, music senior, and William Horne, history senior, to the group recently.

With more than 63 members, these two active members say while Johnson’s idea is innovative, BOLOs are not a laughing matter.

“I think it is a hilarious idea, my friends and I always joke about BOLO, I mean, it is not something to joke about … but it sort of is,” Hermes said.

Horne shares the same sentiment and says this reaction to the BOLO e-mail blasts may be a defense mechanism.

“That is what the ‘BOLO t-shirt phenomenon’ represents to me: a frustrated apathy towards an unfeeling world,” he said.

“I appreciate the need to laugh, but in many ways, this city is coming apart at the seams, and laughing just doesn’t seem appropriate.”

As of press time, Johnson had sold six shirts. He held his first official table on the Danna Center patio April 10 in hopes of selling more.

“I’m just taking a risk, trying to see what the interest is and not just jump the gun and pre-order,” he said.

Rosie Dao can be reached at [email protected].