Posted on 10/06/2018 6:04:33 AM PDT by Simon Green
Melania Trump has prompted consternation, some anger and much derision by choosing a pith helmet – a symbol of colonial rule across Africa – as headwear for a brief safari in Kenya.
On the penultimate day of her tour of the continent – her first solo trip overseas – the first lady visited an orphanage in Nairobi before heading to a national park near the city.
Dressed in riding pants, boots and a spotless white pith helmet, the former model climbed into an open-air vehicle for the safari, taking photos on her iPhone of zebras, giraffes, impalas, rhinos and hippos.
She also stopped at a site where 105 tons of ivory was burned as part of an effort to discourage the trade.
But it was the headgear that attracted most attention. Pith helmets – so-called because they are made of the material sholapith – were worn by European explorers and imperial administrators in Africa, parts of Asia and the Middle East in the 19th century before being adopted by military officers, rapidly becoming a symbol of status – and oppression.
Soldiers, guides and wildlife specialists replaced the pith helmet long ago with more practical and less controversial headgear, but they are still in ceremonial use in a handful of countries – and by tourists in Africa who have limited experience of local conditions and sensibilities.
“That pith helmet you have carried was used by colonialists during the dark days. Doesn’t sit well with us Africans. Who advised you?” wrote Pauleen Mwalo, of Nairobi, on Twitter.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
The safari would have been more entertaining if she was accompanied by Ted Nugent.
That’s the guardian, a far left radical rag that is worth nothing.
LOL!
"Only mad dogs & Englishmen Leftist Loonies go out in the noonday sun!"
She should wear this one, just to yank their chains!
But I like this one best:
You're right. They wouldn't admit it even though they know it is true.
She was made for dressing. Delightful.
However, she really needs to be extra careful in the cultures and history of a country she visits. She needs a staff to tell her not to wear a jacket that that says “I really don’t care, do you”. She needs a staff the make sure wherever she is going that she is not a victim of the media due to culture insensitivity.
Like ie: not wearing a pin on her dress made out of ivory to visit Africa. She didn’t do that- but she is in the spotlight every day and why give them meat to take away from her beautiful heart and caring ways. I hate to see her get pounced on everything she does and wears.
I remember stories even about Obama and the Queen; and he had protected status with the media, but still there were comments about not being aware of cultural policies.
Good one, Joe !!
I never understood ‘animal right activists’.
If you want to increase the elephant population on earth, graze them like cows, and collect the ivory and sell the ivory. The population would be huge.
Same with mink coats or fur coats, it is probable driving them to extinction that only poachers hunt them and no one breeds them. I want to see mink farms, etc
Do you have any idea of the overpopulation of rinecerous we would have if you let some Chinese company farm the last 20 or so rinocerous in the world? (I think one type is near extinction). Let them sell the horn for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and save the species in the process.
Mel shoulda touched off a few .458 Winchester Magnums.
Would shut them all up.
The Siege at Jadotville is also quite good. Based on a true story, as well.
And of course, Something of Value is excellent, though the book is much better.
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