Keffiyeh Kerfuffle
Is this simply an overreaction or an indictment on the ultra-conservative population of the USA?
From smh.com.au:
The US Dunkin’ Donuts chain has pulled an online advertisement featuring celebrity chef Rachael Ray after critics argued that a scarf she wore in the ad offers symbolic support for terrorism.
Dunkin’ Donuts said today it pulled the ad over the weekend because of what it calls a “misperception” about the scarf that detracted from its original intent to promote its iced coffee.
Critics, including conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, complained that the scarf appeared to be traditional garb worn by Arab men. The ad’s critics say such scarves have come to symbolise Muslim extremism and terrorism.
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It’s quite funny, as I remember bringing back a kramah from Cambodia and wearing at as a fashion item for a while before I saw the keffiyeh in start to pick up in use. I think I may have seen it in use in a magazine somewhere at some stage. Why the discussion of the kramah? Because many thought it was a keffiyeh - and as you can see from the picture (left), there are some similarities. Yes, it’s an adornment (er.. scarf!) that can be worn around the head or neck. Yes, this is black and white. The red and white versions of the kramah also became synonymous with the Khmer Rouge. More recently, some friends came back from Berlin, sporting his and hers versions (black and red), and then the fashion item jumped the shark, appearing in low end fashion advertisments for companies like Roger David. |
So, what do you think? Is it akin to wearing the Castro cap? Wearing camoflague fatigues that are similar in patternings to dictatorial nations? Or is it a storm in a teacup? It is a scarf after all.
Lastly, when it comes to Dunkin’ Donuts, you shouldn’t be eating that crap anyway! Go and eat a non-extremist carrot!
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
Stephen Collins
Pardon the language, but essentially a keffiyeh or a kramah are a fucking scarf. Some people need to get a clue (breaks out big, spiky clue bat for noggin striking) and a life.
Sheesh.
May 29th, 2008
Benn
Some might say that it’s important to know what it is you are wearing and what it means. That said, how many people know why you wear a necktie and its significance?
Further to that, I see so many people wearing Che Guevara tshirts, and I bet you 85% have no idea who he was.
May 29th, 2008
Kel
I’m with Stephen… it’s a scarf. What’s going on in the world when a piece of fabric gets the conservatives this hot under the collar? It’s not like she’s got it on her head Yasser Arafat style and teamed with a ‘I love Hezbollah’ t-shirt.
May 30th, 2008
Benn
It gets even more ridiculous - SMH featured a gallery of these so called military extremists… There’s a picture of a Catherine Zeta-Jones wearing a what looks like a large scarf (as a dress) that’s simply black and white.
Get a clue!
May 30th, 2008
Ernest Bludger
The first shot of the girl in the scarf reminded me of Stuff White People Like.
While there does seem to be an increase in ‘terrorist chic’ garb, I think there are more important things for the U.S. ultra-conservatives to get upset about.
May 30th, 2008
JR
You can’t help that there are stupid people out there who wear something without understanding what it means.
May 30th, 2008
Pete
‘Terrorist chic’ - that’s cool.
This whole discussion shows me how retarded some people are (not the people here) but around the world who are showing offense at something so minor.
May 30th, 2008
Kel
But the thing I don’t get is the view that a checked scarf must automatically be a keffiyeh. Since when? Why? Were the housewives of the 50s, with their love for gingham check tablecloths, all harbouring secret terrorist sympathies? I don’t think so.
May 30th, 2008
Michael
Its also made the dolly hot list
which now means its officially a not
although it does look much better on you ben than it does on that bint
May 30th, 2008
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