As a child of the '80s, the keffiyeh for me is associated with one thing only and that is terrorism. It was brought into mainstream by Yasser Arafat, PLO leader and terrorist. I was down at the MIT encampment (yes, that MIT) yesterday and all the students were wearing them, shouting their usual chants while a bunch of red, black and green helium balloons floated above their current place of residence. As you walk past the set up (walled in and barely viewable due to a temporary green mesh barricade encircling the tents) there is a large sign posted above it, clearly visible to any passers by. It states the beliefs of the encampment. Unfortunately I can attach the photo I took, but the sign says this:
AT THIS ENCAMPMENT WE BELIEVE:
PROPAGANDA IS TRUTH
RESISTANCE IS JUSTIFIED
RAPE IS RESISTANCE
HARASSMENT IS FREE SPEECH
ISRAELIS ARE NOT HUMAN
MARTYRDOM IS GLORIOUS
This is what their version of the keffiyeh stands for. I can appreciate a piece of cloth as a symbol of solidarity with a country or community, but I cannot and will not accept any of the above 'values' for they don't stand for anything that helps anyone, least of all the people of Gaza.
How mentally deranged. And yes, I remember the 80ies myself and yes it's like throwback but in a much grimer light today. Much more dangerous, much more dark, much more vile.
This list is sickening. I guess now that so many live in the fake world of social media, these blank-brainers, devoid of a meaningful life, will believe anything. "The masses are asses" could not be more true. Only a lame-brain can get behind a brainless statement such as "propaganda is truth" -- no, facts are truth. Our world is in deep sh** trouble.
Well said! First I've heard this observation. Spot on. It's like adding a new Facebook Profile Filter supporting the approved cause of the day. Totally dehumanizing and a sad reflection of the shallow values of today's youth.
Wearing a kaffiyeh lets me know you sympathize with haters of my people. And there is an 90% chance you are a Hamas apologist or out and out supporter.
The heated debate escalated, each side fiercely defending their stance amidst a sea of fervent arguments. For some, it was an outright disrespect and cultural appropriation, while others saw it as a bold and powerful statement supporting their cause. Amidst the chaos, one response stood out like a shining beacon—a witty yet unwavering declaration of conviction:
"Wearing this emblem is not just some fashion trend. It’s a tangible display of unity and advocacy for our culture and cause. It's like putting on a superhero's cape, which comes with a sense of responsibility."
But can this responsibility extend to supporting the brutal murder of innocent non-Muslim babies? The irony is palpable as Western students proudly don their keffiyehs without fully grasping their meaning, while Western women willingly submit to the oppressive hijab enforced by their supposed leaders.
In fact, the Hamas government goes so far as to deploy undercover officers to monitor public places like beaches, restaurants, and hair salons - all in the name of enforcing strict modesty codes. How can these same students who preach against "slut-shaming" turn a blind eye to such blatant oppression towards their gender?
Thank you for such an insightful article and an avenue I hadn't even given a thought to in this ridiculous protesting environment of hate. You made such concise points showing the outright hypocrisy of these people. Well done.
I would put it a bit differently: the students are unknowingly celebrating terrorism by wearing a keffiyeh. Inconsistency is the most easily forgivable of their sins.
I don’t think wearing the Palestinian Keffiyeh is cultural appropriation. That has gotten really out of hand over the years. Those who make the scarf appreciate when others wear it as a sign of their standing in solidarity with Palestine people gaining freedom. Also, it isn’t religious per se in its symbolism. Now, if non-Jewish individuals were to wear say, a Yamaka for example, that would be cultural appropriation, because that head covering is religious and sacred in its meaning. And there are standards in Jewish religion when one is to be worn and by whom. Just wearing similar colors and patterns from other cultures is not appropriation because no culture “owns” any specific color or shape or decoration. Too often this is used to pit one group against another. An African friend of mine wanted to gift me with some skirts from her country. I told her many would think that cultural appropriation since i am not African. She told me that was absurd, and that her people would be honored if someone found their style and pattern of clothing so appealing as to be interested in wearing it. Here is a link you can buy your own Keffiyeh if you are interested in showing your solidarity for the Palestinian people. And also, these students wreaking havoc on college campuses are hoping to hide their identities by hiding behind masks and other coverings.
Many people don't consider wearing a Keffiyeh to be cultural appropriation. Yet they wouldn't wear a Native American chief's feather headdress to show support for First Nations or go around in black-face to show solidarity with oppressed peoples in sub-Saharan Africa. Noticing that moral inconsistency was the main point of this article.
Read the article. Again, Native American Headdress is sacred and ceremonial. Not just for “decoration” like wearing a leopard print skirt. Its not the same thing. “Cultural appropriate” term is thrown around for every little thing. Did you visit the website?
But the Palestinian Keffiyeh *is* also sacred and ceremonial. Whenever Palestinians congregate to celebrate their rituals of Jew-sacrifice, they are always attired in their Keffiyehs. Whether it's throwing stones through the windows of passing motorists, or stabbing Jewish shoppers in the marketplace, they always wrap themselves in their Keffiyehs before they cry out "Allah-Akbar! God is great!"
No self-respecting terrorist would be caught dead without his Keffiyeh.
For if he is killed in the course of murdering a Jew, he becomes a "Shahid" and is transported directly into heaven. This is the noblest and greatest distinction that anyone may achieve in the Palestinian death cult.
In heaven we may imagine that as he approaches the throne of God, splish-splashing his way across the bloody floor, he will find himself greeted by Yassar Arafat, the man who introduced both savage terrorism and the wearing of the Keffiyeh to the Palestinian Arabs.
I love that and if we continue this argument further they would have to acknowledge that the palestinian identity is made up the way that gender they think is made up, so if they side with everything that is made up you can claim that they stand for everything that is fake, hence why it fits so well into their agenda to side with the fake palestinians!!!!
Excellent point about cultural appropriation. What bothers me is not that they stole the ideas from Judaism- but that they then use their stolen philosophy to persecute Jews for Jewish "exceptionalism". When in truth, there is nothing remarkable about a founding philosophy or mythology from thousands of years ago having exceptionalism at its core. They do not get offended by Greco-Roman mythology in the same way, for instance, despite adopting much of the same ideas. And it would be considered absurd to get offended by Hindu culture. Basically I think they need to get over themselves 😅
"No decent parent these days dresses their kids up in feather headdresses for Halloween. Dehumanizing sports team names like “Indians” or “Eskimos” have rightly been discarded. Other examples of cultural appropriation and dehumanization are challenged at every turn".
Islam appropriated Jewish religious sites and claim area as their own (Temple Mount with two mosques is most egregious example but there are others)
they conquer everything and claim then this is theirs from ever and ever, they lie when they open their mouths, its their culture to lie!
As a child of the '80s, the keffiyeh for me is associated with one thing only and that is terrorism. It was brought into mainstream by Yasser Arafat, PLO leader and terrorist. I was down at the MIT encampment (yes, that MIT) yesterday and all the students were wearing them, shouting their usual chants while a bunch of red, black and green helium balloons floated above their current place of residence. As you walk past the set up (walled in and barely viewable due to a temporary green mesh barricade encircling the tents) there is a large sign posted above it, clearly visible to any passers by. It states the beliefs of the encampment. Unfortunately I can attach the photo I took, but the sign says this:
AT THIS ENCAMPMENT WE BELIEVE:
PROPAGANDA IS TRUTH
RESISTANCE IS JUSTIFIED
RAPE IS RESISTANCE
HARASSMENT IS FREE SPEECH
ISRAELIS ARE NOT HUMAN
MARTYRDOM IS GLORIOUS
This is what their version of the keffiyeh stands for. I can appreciate a piece of cloth as a symbol of solidarity with a country or community, but I cannot and will not accept any of the above 'values' for they don't stand for anything that helps anyone, least of all the people of Gaza.
How mentally deranged. And yes, I remember the 80ies myself and yes it's like throwback but in a much grimer light today. Much more dangerous, much more dark, much more vile.
This list is sickening. I guess now that so many live in the fake world of social media, these blank-brainers, devoid of a meaningful life, will believe anything. "The masses are asses" could not be more true. Only a lame-brain can get behind a brainless statement such as "propaganda is truth" -- no, facts are truth. Our world is in deep sh** trouble.
Very disturbing. Actually, insane.
Well said! First I've heard this observation. Spot on. It's like adding a new Facebook Profile Filter supporting the approved cause of the day. Totally dehumanizing and a sad reflection of the shallow values of today's youth.
Pat—love the hip term “keffiyeh kitsch.”
If you take the cameras away, they’ll go away to construct the next fad.
Wearing a kaffiyeh lets me know you sympathize with haters of my people. And there is an 90% chance you are a Hamas apologist or out and out supporter.
The heated debate escalated, each side fiercely defending their stance amidst a sea of fervent arguments. For some, it was an outright disrespect and cultural appropriation, while others saw it as a bold and powerful statement supporting their cause. Amidst the chaos, one response stood out like a shining beacon—a witty yet unwavering declaration of conviction:
"Wearing this emblem is not just some fashion trend. It’s a tangible display of unity and advocacy for our culture and cause. It's like putting on a superhero's cape, which comes with a sense of responsibility."
But can this responsibility extend to supporting the brutal murder of innocent non-Muslim babies? The irony is palpable as Western students proudly don their keffiyehs without fully grasping their meaning, while Western women willingly submit to the oppressive hijab enforced by their supposed leaders.
In fact, the Hamas government goes so far as to deploy undercover officers to monitor public places like beaches, restaurants, and hair salons - all in the name of enforcing strict modesty codes. How can these same students who preach against "slut-shaming" turn a blind eye to such blatant oppression towards their gender?
Because they are stupid.
Thank you for such an insightful article and an avenue I hadn't even given a thought to in this ridiculous protesting environment of hate. You made such concise points showing the outright hypocrisy of these people. Well done.
Thoughtfull of Pat Johnson to point out that the protesters are sinning against their own rules.
Actually, the ban on cultural appopriation is a call back to tribalism.
As the author points out, Western Civilization is in essence based on the art of picky appopriation.
So perhaps the students are unknowingly fighting tribalism by wearing a keffiyeh.
I would put it a bit differently: the students are unknowingly celebrating terrorism by wearing a keffiyeh. Inconsistency is the most easily forgivable of their sins.
I don’t think wearing the Palestinian Keffiyeh is cultural appropriation. That has gotten really out of hand over the years. Those who make the scarf appreciate when others wear it as a sign of their standing in solidarity with Palestine people gaining freedom. Also, it isn’t religious per se in its symbolism. Now, if non-Jewish individuals were to wear say, a Yamaka for example, that would be cultural appropriation, because that head covering is religious and sacred in its meaning. And there are standards in Jewish religion when one is to be worn and by whom. Just wearing similar colors and patterns from other cultures is not appropriation because no culture “owns” any specific color or shape or decoration. Too often this is used to pit one group against another. An African friend of mine wanted to gift me with some skirts from her country. I told her many would think that cultural appropriation since i am not African. She told me that was absurd, and that her people would be honored if someone found their style and pattern of clothing so appealing as to be interested in wearing it. Here is a link you can buy your own Keffiyeh if you are interested in showing your solidarity for the Palestinian people. And also, these students wreaking havoc on college campuses are hoping to hide their identities by hiding behind masks and other coverings.
https://kufiya.org/our-mission/
Many people don't consider wearing a Keffiyeh to be cultural appropriation. Yet they wouldn't wear a Native American chief's feather headdress to show support for First Nations or go around in black-face to show solidarity with oppressed peoples in sub-Saharan Africa. Noticing that moral inconsistency was the main point of this article.
Did you have a chance to read it?
Read the article. Again, Native American Headdress is sacred and ceremonial. Not just for “decoration” like wearing a leopard print skirt. Its not the same thing. “Cultural appropriate” term is thrown around for every little thing. Did you visit the website?
But the Palestinian Keffiyeh *is* also sacred and ceremonial. Whenever Palestinians congregate to celebrate their rituals of Jew-sacrifice, they are always attired in their Keffiyehs. Whether it's throwing stones through the windows of passing motorists, or stabbing Jewish shoppers in the marketplace, they always wrap themselves in their Keffiyehs before they cry out "Allah-Akbar! God is great!"
No self-respecting terrorist would be caught dead without his Keffiyeh.
For if he is killed in the course of murdering a Jew, he becomes a "Shahid" and is transported directly into heaven. This is the noblest and greatest distinction that anyone may achieve in the Palestinian death cult.
In heaven we may imagine that as he approaches the throne of God, splish-splashing his way across the bloody floor, he will find himself greeted by Yassar Arafat, the man who introduced both savage terrorism and the wearing of the Keffiyeh to the Palestinian Arabs.
And you sell these things?
I do not. Individuals who make the garment, sell it.
I love that and if we continue this argument further they would have to acknowledge that the palestinian identity is made up the way that gender they think is made up, so if they side with everything that is made up you can claim that they stand for everything that is fake, hence why it fits so well into their agenda to side with the fake palestinians!!!!
Excellent point about cultural appropriation. What bothers me is not that they stole the ideas from Judaism- but that they then use their stolen philosophy to persecute Jews for Jewish "exceptionalism". When in truth, there is nothing remarkable about a founding philosophy or mythology from thousands of years ago having exceptionalism at its core. They do not get offended by Greco-Roman mythology in the same way, for instance, despite adopting much of the same ideas. And it would be considered absurd to get offended by Hindu culture. Basically I think they need to get over themselves 😅
Well, they should be able to dress that way. And bring back the Redskins and Indians.
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"No decent parent these days dresses their kids up in feather headdresses for Halloween. Dehumanizing sports team names like “Indians” or “Eskimos” have rightly been discarded. Other examples of cultural appropriation and dehumanization are challenged at every turn".
I agree with you 100% The useful idiots are playing a dangerous game.
So what? They’re shooting the issue into the bloodstream of the west.
It's a chess game:
https://rayhorvaththesource.substack.com/p/the-palestinian-case-promotes-jewish