Some rightwing nutjob I’d never heard of convinced Dunkin Donuts to pull an ad featuring Rachel Ray. Not because it featured Rachel Ray (which is a perfectly valid reason not to show an ad), but because she was wearing a scarf which said nutjob thought seemed reminiscent of something some Muslims might wear, and was therefore, somehow, supporting terrorism. (insert sounds of disbelief here)
And the DD, whose donut I have always adored, caved.
Here’s the money quote from the nutjob:
“It’s refreshing to see an American company show sensitivity to the concerns of Americans opposed to Islamic jihad and its apologists. Too many of them bend over backward in the direction of anti-American political correctness…. Fashion statements may seem insignificant, but when they lead to the mainstreaming of violence — unintentionally or not — they matter. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. In post-9/11 America, vigilance must never go out of style.â€
So, in addition to not eating my favorite donuts or buying their admittedly good coffee, from tomorrow on, I will be wearing a hejab. Because fashion statements may seem insignificant, but they can lead to mainstreaming perfectly reasonable cultural values and traditions that pose no threat to a post-9/11 America other than challenging ignorance and racism.
I’m actually quite interested if you all think that my quiet protest is going to offend Muslims (which is certianly not my intention). I have tremendous respect for what the hejab represents, in that I believe it is about keeping women from being objectified by society. You might well have a different impression, and I don’t mind offending anyone who has an issue with Islam, but I don’t want to offend anyone of the Islamic faith.
First, I’m ALWAYS pleased to see the Nonfamousi surface. Hello!
The Rachel Ray thing is a new low in stupidity. Maybe what you need to do is wear something that “looks vaguely” like a hijab and see how THAT flies. Maybe I’ll do something that looks exactly like wearing my purchased in the occupied territories head scarf around too, in solidarity with Rachel Ray (who I can’t really stand, sorry). I’m not much of a donut addict, but I do like a little REASONABLE THINKING.
Walking away, sputtering. Do report back.
Well I think I can kiss my chances at the Supreme Court goodbye. As Jay might remember in college I sported BOTH a keffiyeh and one of those “afghan rebel” (aka Taliban) wool hats. They were cheap at the little stand there on Elm Street outside Yale Station – what was I going to do, go to J Press? I’m sure some security camera somehwere took a picture of me scurrying to Durfee or CCL in the middle of the night wearing BOTH – now what would the nutjobs make of that?
Oy! I heard about this but couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that someone took such offense at a scarf and then proceeded to create a terrorist fantasy over a length of cotton.
While I doubt wearing a hejab will create any insult to Muslims, understanding that you would wear it correctly and with respect. I am much more interested in the reaction of your Christian co-workers and acquaintances to see whether they treat you significantly different upon seeing the head covering.