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 ...
US mail carriers wear them aa well. My mail lady wears one in the summer AND she’s black.
My thoughts exactly......oh wait she is like DJT......nothing he does is praiseworthy...
Melania is wearing a safari hat. A British pith helmet looks different.
I expect a firm redress and explanation of colonialist appropriation to her on Mondays delivery.
Burning 105 tons of valuable ivory is criminally stupid.
Front Rank FIRE!!!
Rear Rank FIRE!!!
And I bet they’d criticize her for wearing gloves in winter to keep her hands warm.
Hint, maybe Africa needs Colonizing 2.0?
But we ARE bringing most african and middle eastern countries back into the colonial fold, or is that still secret?
They obviously can’t handle governing on their own. We wouldn’t have to take care of them. Just need to control them. We can fund the military ops with commodities sold from the regions we govern.
If an area doesn’t pay, we just abandon it.
It is unimaginably beautiful on Blue-Ray. I would watch it for the scenery alone.
People knock Zulu, because they imagine that it is unfair to the Zulus, who are portrayed as mindless savages. This is not true at all. The Zulus have great mobility, courage and intelligence in this film. The Welsh come out on top, but it is a very near thing.
One of my all-time favorite movies. I say so without apology. If you haven't watched Zulu recently, I highly recommend it.
BTW, how come the SJWs aren't complaining about her guide wearing a French-style beret, instead of some sort of traditional African headgear of the appropriate tribe/country/culture?
This pith helmet appears stylized with a wider wraparound brim and apparent button vent on top.
When you watch Zulu again be sure to keep a sharp eye out for the wrist watches on the arms of the native fighters.
Oh fer crying out loud! No matter WHAT Melania does, she will be criticized roundly for it. I’m so proud of the fact that she carries on, with her head held high, every day, and ignores the venom being spewed at her. She is a class act all the way! And while I’m on the topic, I can’t help but feel that if Hussein’s wife had appeared in Africa in a pith helmet, NOT A PEEP would have been heard from the media.
Amazing Melania even makes a pith helmet look sexy.
Well the Libs are really going to be pissed when she brings back a certified Kenya birth certificate for Barack.
Sure that beret on the African military guy is a symbol of indigenous African independence.
US postal delivery men and women wear a very similar hat.
But those who have decided to get pithed off over nothing are gonna get pithed off.
No she hasn't. The Left is trying to MANUFACTURE consternation, anger, and derision over something this trivial, but failing, as usual.
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