Posted on 03/18/2015 7:01:20 PM PDT by Steelfish
University of Georgia Greeks Ban Hoop Skirts Because They Look Racist Gone with the politically-correct wind . . .
by KATHERINE TIMPF March 18, 2015
After a meeting with school administrators on Monday, University of Georgia sororities and fraternities have decided to ban hoop skirts from their events over concerns they might look racist. Victor Wilson, UGA’s vice president for student affairs, explained that the ban was due to concerns over what kind of “message” the skirt might send, and compared it to a previous ban on Confederate uniforms, according to an article in the Athens Banner-Herald. In other words: The fact that people wore hoop skirts during the era of slavery in the U.S. makes them symbols of racism.
“The student leadership, staff and advisors agree that Antebellum hoop skirts are not appropriate in the context of some events,” read an e-mail sent out Tuesday by Ashley Merkel, president of UGA’s Panhellenic Council, and Alex Bosse, president of the Interfraternity Council. Students had previously worn them to events such as the “Magnolia Ball.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
Hoop skirts or more technically crinoline supported skirts were the fashion during the 1850s/60s throughout Europe and the Americas. Empress Eugenia of France made it fashionable. The wives and daughters of industrial magnates in the North attending an abolitionist event would be wearing hoop skirts just as some Southern mistress of a plantation. Has these people ever watched British period pieces that have nothing to do with slavery? Since slavery has existed in the US really since Jamestown does that mean a ban on any period clothing from say 1870 to 1607. Wouldn’t wearing an 18th century outfit or a high waisted Regency/Federal period dress also be a racist and tainted by slavery as a crinoline skirt?
Sigh....
Lord help us.
Tatt
My high school in Macon, Ga had the largest Junior ROTC program, IIRC, in the nation in the 1960’s. Each year we would have a Military Ball. In 1963, most of the girls wore hoop skirts. Thankfully, we had a 1953 Desoto with a lot of front seat room and big doors. Finally managed to get her skirt all inside & close the door.
By 1965, most of the hoop skirts had been replaced by modern formal gowns.
It seems that hoop skirts have gone the way of the Desoto...
(BTW, I’m a Ga Tech man. This seems like a stunt that the Clark County Cow College [UGA] would pull!)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.