Monkey Business

Those thick-skinned, happy-go-lucky Muslims got offended yet again. Yes, I know! Twice in one week! It's almost unheard of...

Racism complaints have forced Transperth to withdraw taxpayer-funded ads showing a gorilla wearing a fez.

The Public Transport Authority confirmed that the campaign, which cost about $7000 and depicted an ape wearing what is sometimes considered an Islamic cap, was stopped after three complaints.

"Racism complaints"? How, precisely, is it racist? Aren't there Muslims from all races?

More to the point, the iconography is very old, dating back to 19th century organ grinders, who would use monkeys dressed in a fez and vestcoat to collect contributions from passers-by. Just do a GIS (that's a Google Image Search for all you non-hip people) for "monkey fez" and see what you get. It's a very common image in Western culture. I humbly suggest that those Muslims who complained should rent a sense of humor--and perhaps read a few books which weren't written by a half-insane, angry, anti-Semitic ex-merchant from Mecca.

But perhaps the Aussies should count their lucky stars; it was only the Muslims who got mad at them. It could have been the Shriners--and then they'd be in deep doo-doo. The last thing you want is a Shriner Strike Team hounding your trail...

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(Fez-tip to Kirk M.)