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 ...
My Dad’s favorite movie. More VC’s than any other battle.
If Michelle Obama or Hillary Clinton had donned a pith helmet, it would be praised. How wonderful, she’s bringing back a tradition and so smart to wear that head protection
Ya know, just eff the media, just eff ‘em.
But even her critics would have to admit that she looks good in anything she wears.
>>>They are angered by a hat.<<<
They are angered by a hat ONLY because it’s on Melania Trump.
Libtards using urine instead of Murine, get a pithy outlooks on life!
...Burning 105 tons of valuable ivory is criminally stupid.
the sale of that ivory could have funded conservation efforts...
Not so sure. It’s already hard enough to tell the difference in pre-ban ivory and post ban illegal ivory.
Dumping all this on the market would just add to the chaos.
I like Melania’s hat. North Korean mushroom hats, not so much.
>>>But even her critics would have to admit that she looks good in anything she wears.<<<
Sadly, her critics will NEVER ADMIT she looks good in anything she wears.
The Guardian is click bait. They write a provocative headline to get you see the pictures. Melania’s great.
“People knock Zulu, because they imagine that it is unfair to the Zulus”
The Zulu king was played by the great grandson of the actual Zulu king. He was a bigshot South African politician. Still alive.
Melanie Trump is the first 1st lady since Jacqueline Kennedy to have class. Instead of planting vegan gardens in the white house, she’s working for children worldwide. Speaking half dozen languages she is a great representative of the US!
"Zulu"... 1964...
Evidence mounts that Hrundi V. Bakshi was not the first extra to be wearing a wristwatch while filming on location.
Some reporter asked her about it today in Egypt. She said she’d rather talk of her trip, rather than her clothing.
And selling it would have brought the price down so less profitable to pouch it.
Could only find the Hat to complain about ,LOL
Minor nitpicks of a great film.
Time to Make Africa Great Again
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