I never thought I would be sticking up for annoying as shit TV host, Rachel Ray, but Dunkin Donuts has just pulled this ad. People are claiming that her scarf looks like a keffiyeh, which is a traditional symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
The whole controversy started when Fox News’s right wing commentator Michelle Malkin called for a DD boycott, saying ββThe keffiyeh, for the clueless, is the traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad.ββ
The company at first just ignored the claim, because really, if you look at the picture, she is just wearing a paisley scarf. But after being bullied by bloggers, has decided to just pull the ad.
Alarmism much? Who knows what sort of chaos would befall civilization if Midwestern housewives and other domestic types confused Rachel Ray with an AK47 toting, Arab jihadist, but really, I doubt it would go that far.
The whole keffiyeh controversy has been going on for some time now. UrbanOutfitters was selling them as “peace scarves” in 2007 and had them removed after mass complaints. Nowadays, the things are ubiquitous in NY as black leggings and skinny jeans. Hell, I even have one.
Does this mean I am a terrorist or pro-Palestine? I’m a Jew for Jesus sake! Here’s the deal-These groups are pissed because everyone wearing them and viewing these symbols as fashion, has watered down their significance and trivialized it to the point of no longer being a symbol.
The keffiyeh thing has got to end. I’ll raise my DD to that.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Betty // May 30, 2008 at 2:09 am
While I agree this is ridiculous because her scarf looks simply like a scarf, I’d like to play the devil’s advocate. We must remember symbols have always represented an important part of all cultures throughout time. Had Rachel Ray worn a swastika arm band or white hood the world would have been appalled. I am amazed that certain forms of dress have become en vogue. As an expatriate from the U.S. it disturbs me that we can be so insensitive especially after 911 and I can only attribute this to ignorance. For many of us living elsewhere in the world, we see up close what these symbols represent. These organizations and governments actively support the suppression of women, the banning of freedom of religion and speech, and the tacit acceptance of violence against innocent human beings all in the name of a cause or belief. Have we become so P.C. that we refuse to tell the truth or are we somehow hoping that our own human/democratic values are also shared by all? Read, listen and observe. Actions always speak louder than words. Remember, symbols are powerful messages!
2 lalablahblah // May 31, 2008 at 4:17 pm
to call betty out and play devils advocate:
ok, so thats your point and it is a logical one BUT everyone does need to use a dose of common cultural sense here (which ironically is part of your argument). Common cultural sense would tell you, “i know this started as a Kaffiyah but now i see it on trendy lil urbanites, highschool kids, Kanye West and i think i saw my barista wearing one yesterday and I know many of these people aren’t terrorists or trying to make a political statement.” I am saavy enough to know this has become a fashion trend. And the reason why it is a trend is because its an indicator of people who are culturally accepting of others. Its a byproduct of the melting pot called America and/or the exposure to images of the countries we are engaging militarily.
i think the DD example is the perfect instance of blind political correctness that we know can be dangerous to our cultural health and knowledge. just even the fact that people recognized the scarf as terrorist without looking at the pattern was actually quite rascist and smells of McCarthyism paranoia.
-LalaBlahBlah
3 RACHEL RAY IS ABOUT TO GO TERRORIST ON YOUR ASSES…AS SOON AS SHE FINISHES HER COFFEE « MEANINGFUL DISTRACTION // Dec 6, 2008 at 2:47 am
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