Hope and Change Equals Superficial Appearances?

The Hope-a-Dope, Spare Change campaign of Barack Obama is apologizing to two Muslim women for discriminating against them for their choice of head coverings.

One of two Muslim women who were denied visible seats behind Barack Obama’s stage at Joe Louis Arena on Monday because they wore head scarves said they deserve a personal apology from Obama and close-up seats at a future campaign rally.

Hebba Aref, 25, and her friend, Shimaa Abdelfadeel, received apologies from the campaign Tuesday after they complained that they were not allowed to sit near the podium when campaign volunteers learned that they wear the traditional Muslim head garb called a hijab.

The way I hear it, the young men in the group were neatly dressed wearing suits. When they were invited to sit in a visible spot on the platform, they wanted to bring their female companions along.

Aref said a group of her friends and friends of Abdelfadeel were approached separately by two different campaign volunteers at Joe Louis Arena. In each case, she said, the friends were told Aref and Abdelfadeel would not be allowed near the stage because of their head scarves.

Aref said one aide told her friends that because of a sensitive political environment, Obama should not be photographed with Muslims wearing head scarves.

So, Obama gets upset if someone calls him a Muslim, although there's nothing wrong with being Muslim, apparently, as long as you're not photographed with anyone identifiably Muslim. Get it?

Obama will bring unity to the United States...some time shortly after he brings unity to his campaign staff! Heh.

Cross posted at Say Anything