Why this Muslim beauty blogger refuses to accept a Revlon award from Gal Gadot
Muslim beauty blogger Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, a.k.a., Muslim Girl, is rejecting a Revlon award because of its brand ambassador Gal Gadot, who she says supports the “oppression of women and girls.”
“I cannot accept this award from Revlon with Gal Gadot as the ambassador,” Amani wrote Tuesday on Instagram of the Changemaker award from Revlon’s new #LiveBoldly campaign, an initiative to celebrate diverse beauty.
“Her vocal support of the Israeli Defense Forces’ action in Palestine goes against MuslimGirl.com’s morals and values,” Amani wrote. “I can’t, in good conscience, accept this award from the brand and celebrate Gal’s ambassadorship after the IDF imprisoned a 16-year-old girl named Ahed Tamimi last month, an activist who is currently still incarcerated. I think we are in a moment where we must persist that women’s empowerment includes ALL women. From the bottom of my heart, I feel I would not embody the meaning of the Changemaker Award if I were to accept it in these circumstances.”
A post shared by Amani (@amani) on Jan 16, 2018 at 8:29am PST
Amani captioned her post, “….It means so much to me when @muslimgirl‘s work is recognized and elevated in spaces from which we’ve been traditionally excluded. But that’s what makes it even more important at this moment to elevate and stand up for ALL women and girls. This shouldn’t have to be said, but we can’t accept role models that support the oppression of women and girls in other parts of the world. Especially after we just celebrated MLK Jr. and as we approach the one year anniversary of the Women’s March, we all have an URGENT obligation to talk back, speak our truths, and insist on the right side of history. The personal is political — yes, even, and ESPECIALLY, when it comes to beauty — and I don’t know about you, but my feminism is inclusive of ALL women and nothing less. That’s what being a changemaker means to me.”
Yahoo Lifestyle could not reach a rep for Gadot or a spokesperson from Revlon for comment, however, Amani tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “It’s always difficult to be placed in this position, but as women of color get increased visibility, we have to hold brands and celebrities to the standards of the consumers they’re trying to market to.”
Amani adds, “Gal is the face of Wonder Woman, feminism, and empowerment. And yet, she doesn’t stand for the empowerment of everyone and she’s very vocal on matters that disproportionately oppress women and children. It doesn’t add up.”
Before starring in The Fast & The Furious and Wonder Woman, Gadot served for two years as a fitness instructor in the Israeli army. She was also named Miss Israel, competing in the 2004 Miss Universe pageant and participated in a sexy Maxim photoshoot called “Women of Israel Defense Forces.”
Gadot also sparked political controversy on January 9th when she wore a blue, one-shoulder gown by Lebanese designer Ellie Saab to the January 9th National Board of Review gala.
When photos of Gadot hit the internet, some on social media recoiled at the idea of a Lebanese designer dressing an Israeli actress, due to tensions between the two countries.
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