Hijab in Playboy not its most curious feature

I have come across several eyebrow-raising headlines this week along the lines of “Muslim woman in hijab featured in Playboy!!!”

This statement is technically correct, though about as disclosing as when I say I was in Playboy. (Because I had a letter to the editor printed a dozen years ago.)

Noor Tagouri is a Muslim-American journalist “featured” in the October 2016 issue of Playboy. It’s about a three-paragraph blurb on page a million in an article—I do read the articles—introducing half a dozen other “renegades” from skate boarders to game designers. Yes, Ms. Tagouri is wearing a hijab. And jeans and sneakers and a leather jacket. (The other guys in the piece are similarly beclothed.)

Hijab and nothing else? There’s a story. Even a hijab and a bikini. This one, though? Nothing to see here. (I wish I meant that literally.)

A more interesting element from this October ’16 issue is not who is featured but who is not. A certain Mr. Hefner makes no appearance whatsoever, other than the fact his name is on the masthead and he is mentioned casually in a letter to the editor. Not even a from-the-vaults pic of The Man, as has been the custom in the past few issues. No Hef Sightings, no Hef celebrity pics, no nothing. I’m curious why, 63 years into its run, has Playboy Inc. squeezed out is founder. Perhaps I’m looking too much into this.

Better peek through the issue again. You know, for clues.

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About moc

My name is Mike O'Connell. I am 41 years old and live in Northern Virginia. I am a teacher, a musician, and an enthusiast of all things American.

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