February 10, 2005
Thong-Tha-Thong-Thong-ThongFashion
You guys have heard a similar story before I’m sure, but this stuff never gets old. GG2.net reports:
An American online store selling womens` undergarments featuring images of Hindu Gods and religious icons has angered members of the community who have demanded their immediate withdrawal from the website.
In an ad for womens` thongs, Cafe-Press.com has on display hundred per cent cotton `Hindu God Shiva classic thong` priced at USD 12.99 with the religious deity`s face, another called `iGod Shiva Classic thong` for USD 15 makes a statement “Namaste it loud. Your`re Hindu and you`re proud.”
The `Om Classic Thong` priced at USD 8.99 explains “Om or rather aum is a sacred Hindu symbol that represents the absolute.”
Leading the protest for the products withdrawal is the American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), the largest Hindu anti-defamation group in North America comprising several Hindu organisations.
But all is well that ends well:
The protests had borne fruit with CafePress withdrawing the product line from its site.
Oh yeah? Then what is this?
I just don’t get my panties in a bunch over stuff like this though. There were other items however that did get my attention.
This thong is supposed to represent “the togetherness of an oriental man and a brown woman.” I couldn’t make this stuff up even if I tried. I am sure there are Indian girls who, even as you read this, are forwarding this to their Asian boyfriends. I think the obvious question is, where is the thong representing love between a brown man and an oriental woman? I have much love for my Asian sisters.
As I continued browsing I came across this T-shirt. It is so me.
Finally, I considered buying a T-shirt for Anna’s dog Rani. I realized that Anna might become very cross with me for attempting to convert her dog (who was raised in a Christian household) to Hinduism, but I feel in the long run she will forgive me as her dog will eventually be reincarnated into a higher being.
abhi on February 10, 2005 10:18 PM in Fashion · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
The same company was putting the Sikh Khanda symbol on their thongs...not very clever. They changed when Sikh American groups objected.
I am waiting for them to put Kabaa ( square box all muslims face when praying) on these thongs. Then wait for Ayotullah in Chief Sistani to put a death fatwa on the heads of these designers. I can already see all too clever senators talking about losing hearts and minds.
Dude, it's good Catholics don't get all het up about such things, or the Kid Sister's Virgin Mary tiny-tee and Sacred Heart flip-flops would mark her for identity-politics activism!
awww, abhi.
1) i'm tickled. :)
2) rani's not christian. she's ANNAmist. ;)
at least its american apparel- sweatshop free clothing.
well, not the t-shirt abhi liked.
Buddha Is My Om Boy Value T-shirt
Now, does this indicate that the slogan is a value, or that the T-shirt is somehow a frugal buy??
-D
Religions can be studied and followed by anybody. But this is not a question of whether other people have a right to relate in some way to aspects of Hindu tradition or practice.
It's very simple - if you're dealing with symbols which are part of someone's religion, you have to respect that and not put them on toilet seats or whatever.
I am so shocked that there is a Hindu om symbol on thongs and dogs 'what are you trying to suggest'- I am totally discusted at this...how could you do this. This is totally out of order and needs to be stopped.