The American culture's obsession with prom escaped me entirely. In high school I was certainly aware of the rite, but I never felt deprived.
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| Tharima Ahmed, organizer of the Girls-Only Prom |
A Muslim girl, however, did. Attending public school, she and her gender-segregated friends decided to host their own prom. Raising money mostly through bake-sales, they were able to finance their own boy-free bash, where they could wear a prom dress, free their hair, and dance. Even their non-Muslim classmates were happy to attend.
Shortly before 8, it was time for prayer, the spaghetti straps and empire waists disappearing under hijabs and abayas, a prayer rug taking its place on the dance floor.
Maybe we should have our own prom! Sounds like fun—an evening devoted to satin, religion, and girlie relationships, without infringing males or shadchanim.
Nah, didn't miss it either. I was perfectly content to enjoy it vicariously through reading, via one of my favorite book genres, 1950's "malt-shop" books (i.e. Rosamud du Jardin, Lenora Mattingly Weber, etc.).
ReplyDeleteThen again, maybe if I'd gone to a public school where all my friends were attending I'd have felt left out and wanted something, too...
Don't feel like I missed anything. Sounds kinda stupid, if you ask me. Yeah, go blow all your money on a dress you'll only wear once to impress some people who wont remember you a year from now and spend the night with someone who you have maybe a few months with. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a wedding. Stop pretending it is.
My all girls high school decided to have a formal dinner, single gender instead. I remember thinking that it was stupid to dress up in order to impress the same girls who saw me every day. I wound up sneaking out to the school library.
ReplyDeleteI'm in!
ReplyDeleteAm I too old to totally want a girlie prom?
um...yaaaa!
ReplyDeleteOh, come on, no gal here wants to have an all girls party? No takers?
ReplyDeleteI guess it's just you and me, JS.
I'm totally in PL! We must arrange such a party ;-) We can play alabina and other arabic/sephardi music too :P I'm totally turning up in a Sari!
ReplyDeleteAnd that woman in the pic looks absolutely B.E.A.utiful! It makes me wanna dress tzanua ;)
ReplyDeleteSephardi music is the only type to really dance to. I've got a sari too (although that's technically Indian, but who's going to tell? We'll play some Bollywood tunes!)
ReplyDeleteYou used to the "t" word! Remember, tznius has nothing to do with how many layers piled on. But her dress is ombre-tastic. Gorgeous.
Looolzes. yup I'm looking fward to dancing with you and lilili-ing (I'm an expert ;-) :P
ReplyDeleteActually, when you put it that way, it sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteLet's ululate!
ReplyDeleteWe had a prom at my all girls high school over 20 years ago. We all dressed up formally - some as girls, some as guys. It was a blast!
ReplyDeleteI bet it was! What fun.
ReplyDelete