As the representative of Mobile here on the Glamour & Society Blog, I feel obligated to comment on the ruckus that is currently swirling around Alabama NAACP president Edward Vaughn’s comments on the Azalea Trail Maids. He said, and I quote, “With an antebellum representation there, I’m thinking Alabama will be a laughing stock.” Predictably, the local news sites have erupted with protests about how the Azalea Trail has nothing to do with race or the antebellum era, but everything to do with how gracious and genteel our proud heritage is. Or something like that. The County Commission’s response: “The Trail Maids do not represent the Confederacy or antebellum times but reflect the beauty of Mobile and its 300-plus years of fascinating history.” Uh, yeah. 300 years, and we pick a fashion trend of maybe two decades as our iconic symbol.
Full disclaimer: last fall, DD16 was chosen as a candidate from her high school and attended interview training sessions before deciding, as I primly tell people, that it “wasn’t for her.” So I know all about how hard the girls work to be chosen, how much money the dress and year of travel/appearances costs,and how poised, well-educated, and multi-racial the fifty girls on the court are. God knows they aren’t in it for racist reasons (or, in the case of the African-American girls, reasons of self-loathing). They just want The Dress. They have been planning the placement of every ruffle, bow and swag since they were six years old and no matter what they tell the judges, they wouldn’t care whether they were representing antebellum Mobile or camp followers from the Napoleonic wars. They want to wear that fabulous, fantastical, eye-popping dress.
That said, Mr. Vaughn has an undeniable point. When you see a single young woman, let alone fifty, as a neon-colored caricature of Miss Scarlett at the Barbecue, it calls to mind, well, Miss Scarlett at the Barbecue. I’m sure girls north of the Mason-Dixon line wore hoop skirts too—we’ve all seen Little Women—but the silhouette of the big ruffledy Barbie-cake skirt and parasol is forever linked in the American mind with the antebellum South. And not just any aspect of the South, but the sprawling, colonnaded white plantation house, where in the evening by the moonlight you can hear those darkies singing. And when we choose to present that as the single representative image for our state, it looks like we’re yearning to hear ‘em singing again. It just does, y’all.
Sometimes I think Mobile’s attitude about the Trail is like the parents of a precocious or talented child who simply can’t see how others might be annoyed by their darling’s constant efforts to be the center of attention. Yes, the girls are lovely, smart and hard-working, they gladden the hearts of old people and little children alike, and they look charming spread out on the Great Lawn at Bellingrath Gardens. By all means, as long as there are girls willing to spend $5,000 on a fifty-pound dress, let’s keep our dear tradition of the Trail. But couldn’t we maybe, well, step it back a little? And when it’s a question of choosing ambassadors to represent our city and state) on the national and even international stage, maybe pick something else?
Oh, Del, you are so right. I just went to a site devoted to the Maids and had me a good old fashioned belly laugh! They look like ridiculous renditions of Barbie Scarlett – or those horrid crochet dolls granny uses to hide extra toilet paper rolls. They make a big deal about the girls designing their own unique dresses, then proceed with a list of guidelines that guarentee Barbiehood. And not at all historically accurate.
But let’s cut to the important point you make, why is it that Alabama (and Mississippi) continue to use Confederate images to portray ourselves? As if our grand and glorious past as plantation dwelling, slave holding gentry is what we want the rest of the world to know us by! Nothing quite says “Alabama” like a Belle and her Confederate-clad beau. Why are we still proud of this era? In actuality, what percentage of the ante-bellum population was landed gentry? 1%?
And we send these girls to represent us at the inaugural parade of the first African-American president? Gah!
Lets all remember, the state didn’t choose this group, they were selected by the Inaugural Committee picked by President-Elect Obama. Apparently, the committee has no problem with it as they are being showcased today on the official inaugural website. Everyone just needs to drop this silliness. They were chosen to attend and are thrilled to do so. I can’t believe adults continue to chastise these young ladies. Let’s all put this this type effort into something a little more important.
Ah yes, the omniscient Inaugural Committee, made up of people who just can’t understand why anyone would object to having Rick Warren give the invocation. That’s Rick “abuse is no excuse for divorce” Warren, not to mention his much-discussed anti-gay views and his love for condom-burning, witch-fearing African preachers. Forgive me if I don’t consider the Inaugural Committee the final authority on what is or is not potentially offensive.
No one is chastising the young women. I’m sure they’re great people who will go far in life. But surely Alabama could be represented at this inauguration by something other than a romanticized representation of painful history.
No one will ever be happy in this country, because everyone has there own opinions concerning personal standards, religion, or lack there of, moral values, convictions, political views, etc. I think President-Elect Obama’s view of renew america together is a great idea, but the sad part of this is no one will ever get past their own selfish wants and desires to see something like this work. As he used Rick Warren as an example, this country is made of many types of people, all with different views, beliefs and culture and he wants this inauguration to be about the people, all people, regardless of what one believes. There is a Gay band participating in the parade also, I’m sure this doesn’t sit well with some people, but I guess they are apart of our nation and they have just as much right to be there than anyone. Poverty, unemployment, the struggling economy, Iraq, Israel’s mess, escalating teenage pregnancy, etc should be the talk of the day, not 17-18 yr old girls, regardless of their dress. I’m wondering what type of controversy it would cause if they were a different group that dressed in very short shorts, mid-driff tank tops and did the bump and grind down the street? Most people empower controversy and usually it’s for things that are going to amount to a little bit of nothing. One can by pass the small things and be happy or embrace them and be miserable. I’ve concluded that there are many folks out there that doesn’t have anything better to do and choose to be miserable.
Julie, I know it may be hard to believe, but the posters and readers here are capable of holding more than one issue in our heads and hearts — sometimes even three or four at the same time. If you don’t want to be bothered by our “silly” concern about this particular one, then don’t come here. No one forced you to visit this blog. Leave us to our miserable existence and take your concern trolling lectures elsewhere.
Oh now Julie – that must have been you on the Fox comment thread, feeling thankful that the dance team from Alabama A&M wouldn’t be bumping and grinding down the street! (And if their show is anything like what LeFlore high school does in the Mardi Gras parades here, I agree.)
I’ve been thinking about this a little more, and I’ve come to the conclusion that both I and Mr. Vaughn are incorrect. It’s not 1850s Alabama the dresses are reminiscent of, but 1950s Alabama. The Trail started a little earlier, but the Trail Maids in their present, um, incarnation were created in the late 50s. And Mr. Wallace took his famous stand in 1963.
This really has nothing to do with “everyone having their own opinions.” Every state’s population has individuals that represent points all along the political and cultural spectrum. What I am concerned about is the image our state chooses to present to the rest of the nation and the world.
You know, like those wooden puzzle maps for children? Each state has one or two pictures on it. A boll of cotton or an ear of corn, Mt. Rushmore, an oil well for Texas, an alligator down in Florida. Well, I can tell you that when they hear “Alabama” a LOT of people think of George Wallace first. And now all of America will hear “Alabama” and see fresh-faced girls dressed as a 1950s fantasy of a Southern Belle. They’ll look good on TV, and taken out of context they certainly have nothing to do with slavery or racism. I doubt the commentators will say anything other than, “Wow, look at those ruffles!” and perhaps comment on how much the dresses weigh or some other PR tidbit.
As far as this particular Trail appearance goes, Mr. Vaughn should probably have kept his comments to himself. (I hear the controversy has greatly helped the girls’ fundraising efforts – that must really be pissing him off.) But I still say that it’s time for Mobile to let the Azalea Trail Court become just another of our quaint, charming old traditions, and not the first choice for greeting foreign dignitaries at the airport.
Oh well, at least it’s not a bunch of black folks walking barefoot in leg irons and chains with cotton sacks slung over their shoulders singing spirituals with a white man riding on his horse beside them with a whip in his hands.
Oh well, at least it’s not a bunch of black folks walking barefoot in leg irons and chains with cotton sacks slung over their shoulders singing spirituals with a white man riding on his horse beside them with a whip in his hands.
Uh, yeah. I think even the clueless Inaugural Committee would have taken offense at that.
The Azalea Maids wouldn’t have been my first choice, but I can’t quite get my drawers in a wad about these young ladies being in the Inaugural Parade.
I do wonder how they manage to walk anywhere in those dresses. How wide are they? 6 feet? 8? Like giant, living scoops of cotton candy.
I believe the hoops, which are made of steel, are 5 feet wide. The dresses are inspected at several points during their “construction” to make sure they conform to JayCee Trail standards. Then the girls have a class in how to sit, walk, etc. in them. I’ve heard they’re really uncomfortable, and that’s without the issue of either freezing or sweltering. But as the French say, “il faut souffrir pour etre belle.”
Actually this is the first time I’ve ever posted anything and quite frankly came across the blog or whatever this is by accident. I’m not one to have the time to surf the internet all day everyday, so I’m sure this will be my last post, happy, I’m sure you will be.
Again, everyone with a negative comment goes back 40 and 50 years ago. Yes, this part of our history is very, very painful. Everyone agrees it happened and it was a terrible thing and everyone should always be aware of that history, but that is what it is history. I’m young enough to know it wasn’t my fault or my children’s. I was never a part of segregated schools, which the North was just as guilty. I was taught not to judge anyone by the color of their skin nor their financial situation. Even as a little girl in the 70′s, black people were just people because I was never shielded from them. This is the way I’ve taught my children along with many more parents my age. Why do you think there is so many inter-racial couples now? because the majority of the kid’s today don’t see color, just as the african-american girls involved in trail don’t see their attire as clothes from the slavery days. They are so removed from that, it’s not regarded as controversial clothing to them. They and all the girls just see the big obnoxious dress with all the ruffles that they can’t wait to get on. Everyone brings up Gone with the Wind, how many young people do you think have actually seen this movie? Discrimination is far from being abolished as we are well aware, but bringing up painful events of the past do not help people move forward. All the African-Americans I know and are friends with, young or old don’t have a problem with the trail maid attire or their representation at the inaugural parade, like they have said, it seems to be more of the white people that’s having a problem with it. Everyone has their own opinion on the dresses and to each is their own, heck, one of Illionis parade representatives is a push lawnmower drill team with the lawn mowers decorated like floats, I’m sure this is going to look silly too, but you know, what the hey, they will be just as thrilled to be there as the trail maids, no matter how silly people think they look.
Actually, you came here via a Google search that didn’t even have this post on the first page of results, so I don’t think it was an accident. And for someone who just doesn’t have the time to waste with such frivolity, you certainly have spent a lot of time composing comments.
Julie, “40 or 50 years ago” is far from the only time in our history that is painful when it comes to mistreatment of people of color — or of women, for that matter. We have a solid 200+ years of oppression to move beyond, and although we’re doing better, we haven’t overcome it yet. Just because the girls involved weren’t paying attention in history class — or to the stories of their parents and grandparents — doesn’t mean other people don’t see the negative symbolism.
I have nothing against the young women who are participating in the Trail Maids. They are teenagers, and it’s rare for teenagers to have a real sense of history. I do have a problem with people who don’t just disagree with the concerns expressed here and elsewhere but go a step further to trivialize them. They’re “silly”, and we’re “miserable” for considering them. That’s the same kind of silencing technique that has been used from time immemorial to dismiss the legitimate complaints of the oppressed. I don’t know about you, but I’m mighty glad that Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King didn’t listen to the people who told them that they should worry about more important things than women’s suffrage or civil rights.
I hope they have some heaters under those skirts. It’s going to be 30 degrees on Inauguration Day. They are going to look like colorful popsicles. I pray it doesn’t rain, sleet or snow.
This whole thing is a bad idea. It make Alabama look silly.
BTW. I found you via leftinalabama.com
They do have little capes they can wear in inclement weather. But yeah, I’m seeing “Hypothermia Mars Parade for Trail Maids” as a potential headline.
Welcome, Flip! Glad to have you.
Yeah, I hope they don’t freeze. Carrying around 50 lb. dresses will generate some heat, but I’m afraid it won’t be enough to keep them from turning blue. I’ve marched in some freezing cold parades in a heavy band uniform and still felt like I had frostbite.
Weather Forecast for Inauguration:
SUNDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S.
SUNDAY NIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY
PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 30S.
MONDAY NIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S.
TUESDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S.
“Hypothermia Mars Parade for Trail Maids”.
You get it Kathy. Thanks.
Thanks, Redeye.
Hypothermia watch: word has it that the girls will be permitted to wear anything they can fit under that cape. That still doesn’t “protect their ears” as my mother would say, but with today’s modern fibers – have y’all tried Under Armor yet? – I think they’ll be fine. Perhaps the bonnets will offer a certain measure of ear protection.
Do you suppose Under Armor comes in an off-the-shoulder model?
Those poor girls! It is no fun to march in cold weather, even sporting a heavy band uniform. I hope the excitement of the occasion will distract them from the cold.