Is Rachael Ray Making a Political Statement?
It seems that there are a lot of people confused with Dunkin’ Donuts decision to yank an ad featuring Rachel Ray wearing what ‘appears’ to be a kaffiyeh. Dunkin’ Donuts explained that in the ad Rachel Ray is wearing a black and white scarf with a paisley design. It seems to me that what it appears to be, is exactly what it looks like - a kaffiyeh.
Sporting a traditional Arab head scarf as a fashion statement is ordinary and acceptable in some parts of our country - but I would guess for the majority of Americans it would seem out of place if not outright distasteful.
I know personally I don’t like the images that scarf conjures up. It doesn’t say hip and urban to me; more like insensitive, arrogant, and misinformed. I hate that actually know what I’m talking about here. I like Rachel Ray but whenever I see that type of political statement disguised as a fashion choice I feel insulted and put off. Read the rest of this entry »
Does breast-feeding boost children’s IQ?
A new study has just been released showing that breast-feeding may improve your child’s IQ. This latest study is supposed to further confirm researchers belief that breast-feeding can actually make kids smarter. The test groups were chosen randomly in an effort to address the commonly held belief that mothers who chose to breast feed were those who were more attentive mothers in general, which would account for their children’s intellectual advantages.
Reading this story reminds of how easily we can be manipulated by blanketed statements of ’scientific findings’. The most susceptible to this type of manipulation are intelligent, responsible individuals who want to do the right things to live as good a life as possible. Now mix children into the issue and these conscientious people will perk right up and pay close attention to any advise that purports to benefit their children. Of course, these people are also time starved and overextended because they are so concerned about doing the right thing, that they won’t really have the time or inclination to dispute what scientists and researchers are telling them is the preferred course of action. Read the rest of this entry »
