Give Me A Break: The True Story of the Save Darfur Thong

by Michelle . · 2009-08-03 07:00:00 UTC
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I'm a little annoyed. It's just been one of those days, and here's reason number #142:

A recent sensation in the blogosphere has drawn attention to a rather unfortunate Darfur-related piece of intimate apparel being peddled by an open-source-type website: The infamous Save Darfur thong.

It's gross, and cause for outrage in its own right. What is irresponsible of some of the bloggers, though, is writing about the item as if it is actually connected to the organizations they often criticize or is in anyway emblematic of the majority of activists' taste in promotional clothing. (FP at least points out that it is not an official item.) Guy Gabriel, on the well-respected SSRC blog of all places, writes about it as if it somehow characterizes or is widely known or promoted by the movement --- as if we all go around proudly wearing the ridiculous piece of almost-clothing.

The thong is made by "Designs by Joe" and featured on the CaféPress website alongside thongs that promote causes such as Free Tibet, Free Burma, Impeach Bush, Demand Fair Trade, and general world peace. And a very tasteful piece that warns, "Stop: No Admittance Without Significant Foreplay." (I'm sure a frat boy is laughing somewhere.)

Most people know, at this point, what CafePress is --- anyone and everyone can make t-shirt and clothing designs to their hearts desire, escaping the fashion police with almost absolute impunity. My moles within Save Darfur tell me that the organization sought a cease and desist order against Mr. Joe ThongDesigner some years back (it's been around for a while), but the logo used is not close enough to copyright infringement. As far as SDC knows, they have not received funds from the sale of the thong --- though that could very well be because no one was misguided enough to buy the stupid thing. There's also no way to verify that proceeds would be used for charitable purposes.

It smells more like a scam than a "little fundraising gimmick" to me.

Or at least, Save Darfur activists have better sense than to latch on to it. So take your potshots elsewhere, please.

Michelle . has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns.
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