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AAI Members Make Their Voices Heard

AAI
Posted on Thursday June 5, 2008

AAI thanks our many members who wrote to Dunkin’ Donuts, seeking a formal apology for the company’s decision to pull an ad of Rachael Ray wearing a kaffiyeh, and the State Department, thanking it for its decision to reinstate the Fulbright scholarships of seven students from Gaza. Excerpts from some of the e-mails you sent to Dunkin’ Donuts are below.

It isn’t too late to thank State Department officials, or to express your opinion to Dunkin’ Donuts. Click here to find out who to thank at the State Department, and here to find out how to keep pressure on Dunkin’ Donuts.

Excerpts from your emails:

I write to express my outrage that you would pull your recent ad in deference to some right-wing blogger’s criticism of the actress wearing a kaffiyeh. For your information, the kaffiyeh is a scarf that I wore every day in the winter during my service as the Solicitor of Labor of the United States—a position to which I was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate.

It is unfortunate that a company as substantial as Dunkin Donuts would cave so readily to such anti-Arab bias and stereotyping. Your knee-jerk response will in all likelihood cost you more business from Arab Americans and American Muslims than those who sympathize with the bigoted criticism from some right-wing blogger of an actress wearing a piece of Arab fashion in an advertisement.
-George Salem
The writer is the chairman of AAI’s Board of Directors.

I realize that Dunkin Donuts is not in the business of politics, but it should be able to deflect extremist opinions of political ideologues in order to pursue culturally sensitive marketing efforts that advance the business success. As a consumer (and one of millions of Arab Americans who are truly offended that any symbol of their heritage is somehow tainted), I would strongly encourage you to reconsider this decision and reinstate the ad.
-Scott D. Easton

Dunkin Donuts just took the lead in branding this scarf a terrorist scarf and confusing cultural attire to the American public. It is not warranted. I have the same one but it is gold in color – I am not a terrorist, nor am I affiliated with some kind of jihad movement. I am a serving U.S. Marine and have been on the front lines of terrorism for more than 2 and 1/2 years, and I can tell you that your decision was based on uneducated information or lack of information.

I bought the scarf when I was fighting the war on terrorism to keep you and Dunkin’ Donuts safe here at home. Many of my fellow service-members bought the kaffiyeh to bring back home with them as well. The kaffiyeh kept us safe from sand storms and dust when we were trekking in the desert focused on eradicating terrorism.
-Jamal Baadani
1st Sgt., U.S. Marine Corps

Contrary to Michelle Malkin’s belief, this scarf is far from a representation of support for terrorist activity. As you have probably already heard, the kaffiyeh is a traditional middle eastern clothing item that is worn by all types of people. It is incredibly insulting to imply that this scarf serves the purpose insinuated by your decision to pull the ad. Please issue an apology for this decision and do your best to remedy this situation as soon as possible.
-Rabia El-Hage

I know the protests put your company in an extremely awkward position, but I wish that, rather than caving in to the racist reactions to what turned out to be a paisley scarf, Dunkin’ Donuts would have stood up against racism and made a statement in support of your loyal Arab American customers, of whom there are many thousands.

By the way, you know who brought coffee to the West? Arabs, of course!
-Dave Hall

I appreciate the fact that Dunkin’ Donuts does not want to offend any customers, but for Malkin and her ilk to take such a disparaging attitude is an insult to millions of normal, peace-loving, and even fashion-conscious people, including myself. Their rantings can be ignored, but that Dunkin’ Donuts caved in to their pressure so quickly is very disapointing.
-Edith Garwood

Dunkin’ Donuts chose to pull the ad in response to a Ms. Michelle Malkin, who seems to associate any Arab with terrorists and any cultural artifact from the region as offensive. As a Massachusetts resident and a Lebanese American who is a long-time fan of Dunkin Donuts (down with Starbucks!), I was saddened to learn that Dunkin Donuts considers a part of my culture offensive to the American public. It is precisely this type of knee-jerk reaction that contributes to the spiral of misunderstandings and conflict both here and in the region.
-Stephen Karam