Politics

Is the Arab Headscarf a Leftist Political Statement?

As an American, are you making leftist political statement if you wear a traditional Arab headscarf?

Is the Arab Headscarf a Leftist Political Statement?It depends on who you are, and where you are.

The Occupy Wall Street protestors don the headscarf– called a Kaffiyeh or Shemagh– to show their left-wing bona fides and pro-Palestinian solidarity. The scarves also act as a handy face covering when protests turn ugly, or you want to evade the omnipresent surveillance cameras across downtown New York.

The kaffiyeh is the defining piece of clothing for the Middle East and South Asia. But when Americans wear it, assumptions are often made about political leanings. Here at home, some conservative commentators firmly believe the headscarf has been hijacked as an anti-Israel symbol and tool of the leftist mob.

While it is true that many radicals have adopted the kaffiyeh since the 1980′s and the start of the Palestinian intifada, it’s been appropriated by different groups since then as well.

Today, you will often see kaffiyehs worn by the most pro-U.S., freedom-loving group on the entire planet: the United States Military.

Is the Arab Headscarf a Leftist Political Statement?After 10 years of wars in the middle east and south asia, western militaries and contractors have adopted widespread, unofficial usage of the kaffiyeh. This has been for mostly practical reasons.

Whether in the dusty, searing heat of Baghdad or the frigid Hindu Kush Mountains, the headscarf can be sun protection, a blanket, or even a poncho in a pinch. They are cost efficient too, as Chinese (of course) factories churn them out and flood Muslim countries with the inexpensive scarves.

A particularly common way American warfighters use the headscarf is a barrier around the neck when heavy body armor is worn. It provides some cushion from the weight of the heavy, ceramic plates inserted in bulletproof vests. It also keeps the dusty and grime from getting under a soldier’s full battle-rattle, which could cause additional discomfort during foot patrols on 115 degree days. And if you are the 50-gunner in a humvee, you can tie it across your face so you don’t end up eating dirt all day.

Army Special Forces and other units with relaxed uniform standards can try to blend in  with local populations and thus find headscarfs tactically useful as well. A Kaffiyeh can help protect the identity of a U.S. military operator when necessary, and depending on the color, can be helpful during low-visibility missions to cover exposed skin.Is the Arab Headscarf a Leftist Political Statement?

Historically, military campaigns often appropriate indigenous clothing, and eventually for those sartorial trends to make their way back West. In fact, going back all throughout history, warfare has played a major role in the clothing we wear every now.

The fabric we call “Khaki,” for one, comes from the British conquest of India. In the mid-nineteenth century, the British frontier service decided to start wearing the local garb, which was a white-ish, homespun cotton smock and loose trousers. Through usage and sometimes intentionally smudging, the cotton fabric would get dusty and drab, allowing the wearer to blend in with ruddy hillsides of the Af-Pak region.

In fact, the European and American neck tie– the defining characteristic of the classic business suit– is of military origin. In French, it is called a cravate, which is a bumbled version of the Croatian hravt. In the seventeenth century, Croatian mercenaries were enlisted by Louis XIII of France to fight in some of the Kingdom’s endless squabbles. Those Croatian mercenaries wore a strip of cloth from their necks, which the Parisian officer corps and eventually clothing makers adopted.

Is the Arab Headscarf a Leftist Political Statement?Today, we straighten up ties before an interview because of what some Croatian mercenaries stuffed into their shirts three hundreds years ago.

So what does it mean when you see someone trekking around the U.S. with a checkered Arab headscarf on?

In America, the kaffiyeh remains the favored piece of clothing for those who stand in solidarity with Palestine against Israel, as well as assorted radicals and leftists.  And for many other Americans, they don’t care about the political implications, and view the kaffiyeh as nothing more than a trendy scarf.

It’s similar to the bandana in that regard. The bandana is worn by revolutionaries in South America, for example, to cover faces. Street thugs in California have adopted the bandana in either red or blue as a gang symbol. But then again, bandanas also evoke images of American cowboys on the trail, keeping the sun off their necks and the dust out of their lungs.

The kaffiyeh is becoming equally widespread in American usage. College kids drape them around their necks to look cool; Spec Ops soldiers wrap up with them to get the mission done.Is the Arab Headscarf a Leftist Political Statement?

So if you see an American with a tan or camo backpack, and some sort of Arab headscarf tucked into it, it’s probably a memento of service abroad. Many U.S. military, diplomats, and intelligence officers have brought the headscarf back the states.

On the other hand, if you see a 20-year-old who hasn’t bathed in a while and is throwing a brick at a Starbucks window with his face covered by a Kaffiyeh, chances are he isn’t a fan of Israel.

Like any fashion, the implications of wearing a checkered Arab headscarf are evolving.

Comments (105)

1 2 3
  • Average_JoeMN
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:04am

    Community nutbars:

    The Honest
    Laugh at you.
    The Heroic
    Fight you.
    The Corrupt
    Are You.

    Report Post »  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:13am

      If these protestors are so brave, why do they always cover their faces?? And aren’t we getting a little tired of the “V for Vendetta” masks?

      Report Post »  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:11am

      Personally, I’d like to see more of the Porky the Pig masks.

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • mils
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:31am

      it is definitely a political statement..otherwise they would nt all be wearing it..’
      the scarf in itself is a statement and they know it.
      the activists on the bridge etc are stupid kids..being pushed on by a misguided idealogy and funded by SOMEONE… of course they want to “share the wealth”..they have $.25 they will share 50/50…and they want 50/50 of the $100 you have worked hard for…good deal for them..

      Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:31am

      and cowards have to hide behind head scarves. Among other things.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
    • SALTANDLIGHT
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:12am

      I feel like the movie ‘V’ for Vendetta was really designed to make it seem ok to cover your faces in events like this. I think it’s cowardly. http://www.infowars.com/occupy-wall-street-protesters-call-totalitarian-government-re-election-of-obama/ watch the video here, these people are just wrong and seriously cowardly.

      Report Post » SALTANDLIGHT  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:18am

      @poorrichard09
      We don’t hide behind the mask anymore than a country hides behinds its flag. It is a symbol of solidarity for the Hive Mind. The individual is not what is important, it’s the movement. We are all members and that is the most important thing – more important than who we are.

      Anonymity for the greater purpose.

      Learn more

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
    • DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:27am

      Look, I don’t agree with these leftist, stinky, brain-washed, hippies. However, it’s kind of stupid to say we have a tyrannical government and then chide people or deride them as cowards for wanting to hide their faces. They have a right to protest and every reason to fear unfair retribution. That is not to defend any action or stance of theirs. To call them “cowardly” because they want to hide from a government that YOU complain about, is hypocritical. (not to mention that the gov now assassinates U.S. citizens)

      Again, to stop the rapid frenzy from the “conservatives” here, I do not agree with these slugs and I am not a liberal. I detest these free-loaders, this administration and the two-party-illusion system.

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • cromag11b
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:51am

      poorrichard09 – Guy Fawkes

      Report Post » cromag11b  
    • the hawk
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:06pm

      it is definitely a political statement..otherwise they would nt all be wearing it..’
      the scarf in itself is a statement and they know it.Haft the Anti Bush -Anti-War protest speakers wore these scarfs Cindy Shehand’s ex-husband said she was a Palistian sypthiser…….

      Report Post »  
    • Variable
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 5:57pm

      @Average_JoeMN
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:04am

      Community nutbars:

      The Honest
      Laugh at you.
      The Heroic
      Fight you.
      The Corrupt
      Are You.

      My Fix:

      The Honest
      Laugh at you.
      The Heroic
      Fight you.
      The Corrupt
      Nudge You.

      Report Post » Variable  
    • chitown
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:15pm

      “If these protestors are so brave, why do they always cover their faces??”

      Because mommy and daddy will cut their allowance if they’re recognised.

      Report Post » chitown  
    • The Divided States of America
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:16pm

      sooo true !!!!

      Report Post » The Divided States of America  
  • lwpenn
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:48am

    It is the color of the Shemagh. Right color you get a wave, wrong color you get shot.

    Report Post » lwpenn  
  • Jezcruzen
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:30am

    I keep a shemagh handy in my daypacks. Its a handy piece of kit. Wipe your brow. Wear it around your neck to protect against sunburn. Wear it around your head/face for sun protection (especially for us bald guys). Makes a great emergency cravat or arm sling.
    I avoid white/black (Shitte) or white/red (Sunni). However, all other color combinations are useable.

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:58am

      Thanks for the color tip. I never realized color would play a part, sort of like the gangs, huh?

      Report Post »  
    • ZAP
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:09am

      I use it to wipe my BUTT

      Report Post » ZAP  
    • Will4Freedom
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:33am

      There are American alternatives, such as ball cap, cowboy hat, outback hat, bandanna… no need to join this “fad”.

      Report Post »  
    • SREGN
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:01am

      You might want to stay away from red or blue in certain urban areas.

      Report Post »  
    • Teufel Hunden
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:29am

      And you can wipe your butt with it. Beats the hell out of a shirtsleeve. Oooorah!

      Report Post » Teufel Hunden  
    • bulldog62
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:15pm

      Not really a “fad”. They have been used by American and British Special Forces since the frist Gulf war, probably before that. They are more useful than any other type of headwear. Larger than the muslin bandage we used to use. This type of wear has been around since Vietnam. It’s all about WHO is wearing, and Why they are wearing it. I remember using a red handkerchief to play cowboys and indians, means something completely different now.

      Report Post » bulldog62  
  • drago
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:22am

    Let them wear the head scarves, lets me know who to target first…….

    Report Post »  
  • SoonerBorn68
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 5:04am

    The little lefty 20 somethin’s can keep the headscarfs, I’ll keep my commie/terrorist rifles.

    Report Post » SoonerBorn68  
    • eshaw380
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:20am

      I love all 3 of my Commie Rifles…Just got an M38 last week.

      Report Post » eshaw380  
  • philipzhao
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:49am

    Losing face ?

    Report Post »  
  • LowTechBackup
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:48am

    is that from the same left calling the tea party people “terrorists”? or perhaps it’s from the left bringing “peace and freedom” to Egypt and Iran?

    Report Post »  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:14am

      That would be the same left, Lowtech. I mean left is left, right?

      Report Post »  
  • orionreplay6607
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:43am

    They wear the masks, they wear the scarves, to hide their faces from their parents. I always found in college that the ones who always paraded around, protesting something or other, were always the ones not paying their way into the college. 100% parent funded.

    I had no time for that sort of BS. Instead I was working at my “work study” job, paying for my education. I wasn’t about to waste it doing that nonsense.

    So they hide from their parents, who undoubtedly would recognize them if on television. They fear their still needed subsidies from mom and dad might come to an end.

    Report Post » orionreplay6607  
  • Harold B
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:42am

    I hope so, It identifies them as an enemy toward America, Israel, and human freedom. It also identifies them as a person that approves of cutting off heads, You figure that out and how to deal with them

    Report Post »  
  • Tronix
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:38am

    They are so ashamed because their capitalist parents trust fund for college tuition, that they need something to cover their guilty faces.

    Report Post » Tronix  
  • bestartist
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:33am

    well duh……..all the super duper Lefties that I knew who supported Castro, Che, Arrafat etc all wore those stupid scarves 10-15 years ago…..this ain’t no new thang.

    Report Post » bestartist  
  • Arc
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:52am

    Soooooo out in the wild wild EAST, we see citizens covering their faces for whatever reason. Out here in the wild wild WEST, anyone coving their face is “up to no-good” as we’ve been taught. Sure,…..the dust of the Middle East is similar to the dust of Arizona, but the acceptance of covering your face as protection from the elements is far from the acceptance of a man/woman armed with an AK-47 and face covered with a shemagh.

    Report Post » Arc  
  • SHOWMESTATEGUY
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:45am

    “The corrupt fear us, the honest support us, the heroic join us.”

    Hey, Bud. Take your mask off so we can all see who the (us) are. I do have an idea who the (us) are. I’m probably going to stay home on this one.

    Report Post »  
  • sillyfreshness
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:41am

    The leftist Bolsheviks are showing their solidarity to the Muslims by wearing those head scarves. They are also showing their support for the gay community as well by wearing women’s thongs under their pants.

    Report Post » sillyfreshness  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:10am

    Sorry, but I won’t allow an entire group of dumb-dumbs co-opt an otherwise handy piece of fabric. As the article states, the Shemagh is a cousin of the bandana, and practical in hot weather to manage sweat and dust and use as shade from the sun. Article concedes that both cowboys and soldiers use them – so what’s the point?

    I have several and I’m not about to let this commie in the Vendetta mask “win” just because he‘s a coward who doesn’t believe in his cause enough to show his face.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
  • Peregrinus
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:02am

    This is a great article. I was thinking about this lately after seeing one of my acquaintances wear a kaffiyeh. I was disappointed and it made me angry, but maybe she really didn’t mean anything political by it. I am glad to have gotten a better perspective on it through this article.

    Report Post » Peregrinus  
  • Californiasodbuster
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:54am

    And in california street thugs use red or blue bandana’s, crips and bloods, lowlifes just like these wannabe wigger whatever is anti establishment, wish we could send them all to palistine,make good slave’s for habib.

    Report Post »  
  • nwaiting2
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:48am

    See what Arabs Palastinians Hamas hamas are really saying in videos. . memri.com Middle East Research Institute.com. Its the truth and it will make your head spin.There is an agenda and it falls in line with Wall Street protest. The mask isn’t hiding the truth at all.

    Report Post » nwaiting2  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:43am

    Anyone who covers their face or uses a headscarf is hiding something and should be allowed to wear them with the understanding that the penalty when caught breaking the law will be much more severe .Is it leftist ,well what would be the reason for wearing a piece of tabelcloth on your head other than masking your identity or making a statement of solidarity with opressed arabs which is not rightwing ideology.These people are not soldiers in Afghanistan they are in America.But keep on wearing them from listening to some of them it must be cutting off circulation to their brain (+):

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:41am

    Coopting something that you do not understand is very dangerous business. You may find yourself stuck wearing that thing for life and then having to go along with putting your wife under a head scarf, then a burka, esp if she is a pretty young white blond haired blue eyed girl. You/’ve torched my country you thieves.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:27am

    This article incorrectly assumes that all Leftists have the same attitude towards Muslim headscarves and those that do wear them do so for the same political reason. While it’s true some may wear, and view, them as a Leftist political statement, many do not not see them that way (and often consequently do not wear them) although this does not preclude them from wearing such scarves, it simply means it is not a political statement. They might also wear the headscarf for religious reasons, and be Leftist (or not), and not wear the headscarf for political, but rather religious reasons–the point is that even when Leftists do wear the “Muslim headscarf” (which they do not all do) they do not all do so for the same reasons and it is a fallacy to make a conclusion based upon the assumption that they do.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • Thomas
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:37am

      Hey left you keep pushing and you will see what honest people will do to you when they have no other option. We keep trying to avoid trouble but you tough guys eventually end up getting what you been looking for the only problem is when you finally get it then you start calling the police. You bunch of big talking wimps. They only places you can get buy with what you are doing is those big cities where you know people don’t have a way to protect them self.

      Report Post » Thomas  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:41am

      What the hell are you rambling on about.

      They wear it because the enemy of the United States (Islam) wears it and they so want to be the enemy of the United States as well. .

      Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:42am

      The Third Archon is simply trying to put lipstick on a pig.

      Report Post »  
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:24am

      its a lose lose situation for these morons ,butcha college kid did this crap in the 60′s at kent state campus started burning… cutting fire hoses going dow streets throwing bricks at peoples houses
      And then all hell broke loose when they found out the national gaurd had real bullits in there guns
      “4 dead in ohio”…this time these kids …. they might piss off the owners of the houses….and give them somthing realy to bitch about I’m guessibg more than four.. they dont need no national gaurd. the people are fed up.. and have had enough..I keep hearing how peace is the answer…but most of these idiots dont respond to decency or kindess they mock it… and only when they feel their life is on the line .thats when they say oh crap what am i here for?…and by then it usualy to late .I know some peple here on the blaze the hold to that peace ,love ,boby shreman ,crap…man are in for an eye opener…

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
    • drago
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:26am

      @Steve
      Archon is simply encinom in sheeps clothing, his ramblings make it easy to spot him, no matter what online name he uses.

      Report Post »  
    • RetiredChief
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:01am

      These kids pick out every article of clothing they wear carefully! They are VERY conscious of the symbolism whether it’s a Che t-shirt, a Red Chinese military hat or a shemagh to hide their identity. The purpose is always to make a statement and the sad part is they have no idea the amount of suffering these pieces of clothing symbolize! All they hear is what they want to hear and shout down any reasonable argument. They don’t want anything but attention for their “cause” and the best way to get attention is to be the “squeaky wheel”. But as they say, the squeaky wheel gets “greased”!

      Report Post » RetiredChief  
    • fatjack
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:28pm

      It’s coming!…..Are you ready?

      Report Post » fatjack  
  • Utahcatholic
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:24am

    Most leftists are little twerp cowards who only operate in organized mobs and hide their faces, i.e., Wisconsin Union mobs, Wall Street protester mobs, inner city “flash mobs”, European protest mobs. They are mindless indoctrinate sheep, easily led by an “organizer” who are afraid confront their imagined enemies one-on-one.

    These drones don’t even know what they are protesting against……..or for. They need to hide their faces lest they be identified………their parents might stop paying the tuition.

    Report Post »  
    • Californiasodbuster
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:40am

      I thank you for your great comment, and your insight.

      Report Post »  
    • Daddy Hawg
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:35am

      Excellent analysis Chief. These clueless youngsters are being re-educated in todays public schools where real history is being replaced by progressive history and it is more important to worry about others feelings than compete as in real life. The mask aspect from the movie was worn by those opposed to the ruling class and wanted freedom, not what these people are protesting. In the end of the movie the finally was the destruction of Buckingham palace, a true symbol of the elitest class.

      Report Post » Daddy Hawg  
    • cromag11b
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:56am

      Kind of like none of the TP understands what they are all riled up about? It just usually has the right key words to trigger that Pavlovian response.
      At least these kids have the guts to go out and get arrested for exercising constitutional rights. The most a lot of the TP followers do is rage online and talk about ‘the coming storm’ and what ever other armchair general stuff is deluding their minds that day.

      Report Post » cromag11b  
  • Christianmyson
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:12am

    Hi

    Report Post »  
  • Christianmyson
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:11am

    Here in America I hope they keep wearing it, that way when the fighting starts we will know with out a dout that the one with the scarf that we just blew off with the head in it is a tratior, a dead one Amen.

    Report Post »  
    • simply one voice
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:50am

      Watch Matt damon in ‘The Green Zone”, OK? Or “The Hut Locker”. I have one ’cause I live in Arizona. There’s Valley Fever out her, the dust is full of fungi and other crap diseases. It’s hot, windy often, you sweat and this piece of tactical added commonsense helps greatly.

      aNow, if your closing ignorant,POS comment at your conclusion holds for you, I certainly hope in a turmoil that I get my SU16C 5X56 sighted-in on the place between your stupid ears first.

      Think, if you can, before your next graduate level comment.

      Report Post » simply one voice  
  • ooskerDoo
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 1:10am

    The mask may be covering his face, but the tattoo on his left forearm may someday betray him. Hope he is a follower and drops out once he understands the TRUTH.

    Report Post » ooskerDoo  
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