Urban Outfitters Sells Keffiyahs as “Anti-War Scarfs”
Since when has the keffiyah been a symbol of peace? I find it both embarrassing and appalling that Urban Outfitters has decided to market this modern symbol of hatred/intolerance and anti-Semitism under the label "anti-war scarf". For those of you unfamiliar with the symbolism associated with the modern day keffiyah, see these pictures and join me in boycotting Urban Outfitters:
Contact Urban Outfitters here and let them know how you feel about their "anti-war" message.
And I’m planning on organizing a trip out to the store with everything I’ve ever bought from them to get my money back since I don’t ever want to wear their clothes again. Email me if you live in the Chicago area and want to come with me.
Tags: urban outfitters, boycott, stupid retailer, keffiyah, anti-war
12 Comments
Join our boycott of Urban Outfitters at the Facebook group appropriately titled: “Boycott Urban Outfitters”.
I shall join you in refusing to buy clothing from Urban Outfitters. I don’t have any clothes to return because their clothes are too expensive for me — but, many years from now, when I graduate and earn an actual adult salary, I shall not spend it at this store.
[...] This morning on the Urban Outfitters website there was an apology and they no longer sell keffiahs! I’m so proud of any part I had in this. Thanks Urban Outfitters for taking care of this issue so quickly. [...]
The history of the use of the kaffiyeh in the struggle for justice in Palestine demonstrates why it has become a symbol for all people who struggle for unity against colonial occupation and oppression around the world. Get over it!!!
Did you know that both US and UK soildiers wear kaffeyahs. Wierd, that they would support terrorism. It turns out that they have been around even before Arafat and are worn by many people for pratical purposes and as clothing. Hey but good thing you can channel all your anger and rage into a fight with a cotton scarf. Hey, did you hear about the senator being sworn in on the koran? Whats that about?
like you were going to get your money back anyway. be realistic.
Dude:
You seem to misunderstand the nature of the complaint. Who cares that US and UK soldiers are wearing keffiyahs when on the job in Iraq? It’s quite useful for its practical purposes and it might even help them to “blend” in with the local population.
The problem is not the keffiyah itself; it’s how Urban Outfitters chose to market it. Yes, keffiyahs have been around for quite a long time, before there was ever a Yasser Arafat, before anyone had heard of a Palestinian. The problem is that the use of the keffiyah in the west today has become associated with supporters of quite radical, anti-semitic, and violent ideologies who have happily slunk into the “anti-war” camp.
I cannot begin to count the number of supposedly high minded “pacifists” who I have encountered wearing these things at rallies, around college campuses, etc. who proudly support Middle Eastern “freedom fighters” and spout anti-semitic motifs while claiming to be against racism and violence. As such, it was perfectly appropriate to demand that UO remove this product and its highly misleading label from its shelves.
Ann, perhaps you see yourself as one of these? Let me remind you that being anti-war means nothing if you are not also pro-peace. If you feel you can identify with the folks in the pictures above, more power to you and your struggle for “justice”. I grew up near a neoNazi compound filled with people harbouring just such twisted logic. Maybe you should be introduced?
As for Keith Ellison swearing in on the Koran, the only people upset about that are right-wing religious moonbats.
Why dont you guys get your facts straight? thanks to you I can not buy that scarf at urban outfitters, I went and they told me about how you complained so much and it got taken off the inventory. I have family in Iraq and you dont see me all upset over a scarf! Its not just a anti-war scarf, its more of a fashion statement. n
Facts seem pretty straight to me Justin. The person to complain to about the symbolism that’s become associated with this scarf is not the author of this blog. If you really want a Keffiyah, there are plenty of places to get one. As a matter of fact, why don’t you support the shattered Iraqi economy and have your family send one? I bought my own in a shouk in Akko.
Thanks for the idea. I think I will ask my brother to get me one over there.
[...] of violence and terrorism. This is even more absurd that Urban Outfitter’s "anti-war scarf". At least UO wasn’t sending cash directly to fund [...]
Yes, terrorism is evil but you have to consider the fact that its just an item of cloth and if a scarf gets your worries you should boycott cowboy hats too because slaves were lynched by whites wearing cowboy hats and for you petty peeps why dont u look at the terrorism ur country promotes, wheither its mentaly, physically, economically, and last but not least discrimination.