The implied violence of neckwear

The BBC has reported that after a US wingnut blogger complained about a Dunkin' Donuts ad featuring TV chef Rachael Ray wearing a scarf supposedly resembling a traditional Arab keffiyeh, the company has since pulled the ad, seeking to avoid any doughnut-related controversy.  The blogger was quoted as saying:

Fashion statements may seem insignificant, but when they lead to the mainstreaming of violence - unintentionally or not - they matter.

So next time you're on TV in America, you'd better steer clear of any potentially subversive neckwear, or in fact any clothing accessory that might be construed to have an impact on popular perceptions of violence and/or doughnuts.

- Source: BBC News, 30 May 2008

[Courtesy of RH.  The news item has a picture of the dastardly scarf]