The New York Post’s Yellow Journalism Fever

Last updated on: December 8, 2011 at 11:34 pm by Muslimah Media Watch

The New York Post’s Yellow Journalism Fever 2011-12-08T23:34:18-04:00 Muslimah Media Watch

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Speaking of Muslim women’s clothing in the media…did we expect anything but Islamophobia and sexism from the New York Post?

Some of Serena French’s thoughts on an Islamic clothing fashion show in Tehran, Iran, from her article “Perfect for Today’s Medieval Woman”:

“Having a bad body day? This chador’s for you.
Sexy, it ain’t, but the collection that took to the Persian carpet over the weekend in Tehran has several things to recommend it in the Western world.
A plastic-surgery holiday wardrobe, for example. Or if you have lupus.
With skin cancers on the rise, it’s not a bad option.
If plastic lined, it could be the new frontier in weight loss.
Who knows – with the right treated fabrics, it could even protect against some varieties of chemical warfare. (Gas mask sold separately.)”

Hilarious! Making fun of the legal reality that women in Iran must cover their hair and much of their body is completely inappropriate, especially since it’s a serious point of contention among many Iranians. And I’m really digging the assertion that women who wear chadors (for whatever reason or circumstance) are “medieval.” Very classy.

“Out and about on the street in Iran, it’s mandatory to have arms and legs covered and hair concealed by a scarf, a dress code adopted by Muslim women the world over.”

Hm. Guess someone forgot to send the zillions of Muslim women who don’t cover their hair or arms and legs the memo.

What’s just as insulting is the accompanying article by Eric Lenkowitz, who gives nasty Orientalist captions like, “Dance of the seven veils? Not so much.” (which ran with the displayed picture on the right) to slides of the fashions shown. Another caption, “Does she or doesn’t she – have arms? This get-up leaves no trace of a figure.” pinpoints the sexist mentality of women’s figures being of the utmost importance. Whether we’re revealing them or hiding them, we just can’t win.

Mr. Lenkowitz was also kind enough to lift reaction quotes from Iranian bloggers without naming them. What’s a little insult if you can’t add any injury (and plagarism) to it?

“’They look as if somebody found a discarded warehouse full of frumpy Eastern European clothes and fabrics from the ’60s and everybody put three outfits on haphazardly!’ one fashion critic wrote on an Iranian blog.”

“Some critics smugly suggested the press corps were better dressed than the models, who appeared uninterested as they plodded across the stage in plaids, floral patterns and the odd dash of pink.
“Iranian women wear a lot better and [are] much more fashionable than that in the street,” one wrote.”

For the record, one of those “anonymous” bloggers writes about this here. Many thanks to her for bringing my attention to these articles.

And, of course, the chronic linkage of every story about Iran to a hatred of Jews:

“Still, the country’s culture and Islamic orientation minister, Saffar Harandi, hailed the show as a success.
“This is an unparalleled event for Iranian women, who until now have not had the opportunity to dress how they want to but have been forced to wear whatever the fashion industry imposes on our society,” said the man who once agreed with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s assertion that the Holocaust is a ‘myth.’”

Yellow journalism at its finest.

Two cents: Uh, Mr. Harandi, this fashion show didn’t give women the “opportunity to dress how they want.” Only removing a mandatory dress code and disabling morality police will do that.

Editor’s Note: You can see pictures of the fashion show here and here.

News

Previous Post

July 28, 2008

Looking at Muslim women's clothing... again.

Next Post

July 30, 2008 IslamOnline's Modesty Chic

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advertisements Art/Theater Books/Magazines Cinema Comics/Cartoons Culture/Society Events Fashion Film Friday Links Merchandise/Commodities MMW Announcements MMW Highlights Music/Radio News Photography Politics Profile Ramadan 2012 Ramadan 2013 Ramadan 2014 Ramadan 2015 Roundtable Satire Social Media Sports Technology/Science Television Uncategorized Video Web

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which people attacked Israel at Rephidim and were defeated as Moses held up his hands?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Philistines Amalekites Midianites Moabites