Quote:
Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX
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Photo is a bit mis-leading as it is out of date.
From the story itself:
Urban Outfitters, a trend-setting U.S.-based clothing chain with more than 119 stores in North America and Europe,
sold "anti-war woven scarves" as part of its spring 2007 line. But after criticism from Jewish and Arab groups online, alternatively for implying support for terrorism or trivializing a freedom struggle,
the item was pulled from shelves in January 2007.
Now, the trend has spread to urban style. BET and MTV R&B favorites like Omarion and Chris Brown have worn kuffiyehs in recent months, its political meaning less and less apparent.
Politically minded rappers have worn kuffiyehs in the past, but their political leanings indicated an understanding of the symbolism. Mos Def, for example, has been seen in a kuffiyeh, but he has been vocal about Palestinian issues in his music.
"Politically conscious rappers like Common and Mos Def are hip to the Palestinian cause," said Swedenburg, the Arkansas professor. "It doesn't lose its political significance altogether. If Lupe Fiasco is promoting it, I don't think he is just being fashionable."
It's clear the kuffiyeh is increasingly commercial in hip-hop fashion, even if some rappers understand its Palestinian symbolism. Urban Outfitters quietly put an $18 black and white, tasseled item in its Spring 2008 line.
This time, it's called a "Houndstooth Desert Scarf."
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