The Prom
I grew up during the Age of Aquarius. Proms were tools of the bougiuose. Nobody had time to stop smoking weed and protesting the police in order to fall into that capitalist trap of gowns, and hairdos and flowers. We were too busy stopping the Vietnam War.
Don't misunderstand me, I did go to one prom, when I was 6. I carried the Prom Queen's crown and was so proud and happy to do, see the photo below:
It was the 1961 Prom for the graduating class of St. Elizabeth High School, any all girls school on Chicago's South Side. My Mother and Father were married at the church, and that's where I had my first communion.
I was in first grade at St. Elizabeth Grammar School and my Grandmother was a great favorite of the nuns. She gave cashmere-lined gloves and silk scarves as Christmas presents and could always be counted on to buy/sell/volunteer for any and everything.
My name was 'magically' drawn out of a hat and there I was gussied up like Shirley Temple, tasked with transporting the coveted Prom Queen's crown across the ballroom floor. I can close my eyes and remember the beautiful young black women in their pastel gowns, sleeveless with dyed to match elbow length satin gloves and peau de soie evening pumps.
I was in first grade at St. Elizabeth Grammar School and my Grandmother was a great favorite of the nuns. She gave cashmere-lined gloves and silk scarves as Christmas presents and could always be counted on to buy/sell/volunteer for any and everything.
My name was 'magically' drawn out of a hat and there I was gussied up like Shirley Temple, tasked with transporting the coveted Prom Queen's crown across the ballroom floor. I can close my eyes and remember the beautiful young black women in their pastel gowns, sleeveless with dyed to match elbow length satin gloves and peau de soie evening pumps.
Their dark, dapper dates were barbered within an inch of their lives, tuxedos impeccably tailored. I don't remember much except it was enchanting. I recall one nice escort asked me to dance the Twist and it was the highlight of my young life. Don't remember his name and wouldn't recognize him if he bit me, but it was magic.
Fast forward to the present. Prom season is just wrapping up and boy are things different. Being a photographer has given me first hand knowledge of the hoops these 'Prom Moms and Dads' jump through to make sure their children's prom dreams come true.
It is touching and terrible at the same time. According to my research the average cost for a senior's prom is over $1,500.00. Fitted dresses (we used to call them custom)for the girls and tailor-made jackets for the guys, red-bottom shoes, elaborate manicures and pedicures. You get the drift.
New style parents are setting up balloon arches, thrones, stages and throwing 4 course feasts for 50 of their closest family and friends. I have seen opening night klieg lights punching the sky on the south side of Chicago.
Red carpets, shrimp canapes and lots of liquor for the benefit of the brave souls that stand outside in the heat waiting for the prom-goers to make their royal exit to an exotic car rented for the night at $500.00 and up. Smart Moms and Dads are renting stretch limos that hold up to 20 passengers and splitting the cost.
Some prom send-offs are so crowded streets are backed up and tempers flare while little children weave in and out of their Mamas legs high on sugar and pure excitement. This an event for the ages, and it shows. It has been a pleasure capturing these seminal moments in young people's lives, but exhausting.
Proms used to be simple affairs in the over-decorated gym of their high school, but not now. Prom cruises on Lake Michigan, ballrooms at 5 star hotels, penthouse suites for the after-party all make for a majestic evening. I don't know how majestic it could be when feet are swelling in their Louis Vuitton's before they even get in the car.
Despite the excess and over the top drama, the look of pride in the prom-goers eyes makes me happy. So full of hope, so full of promise, smiles that could light up Broadway. An enchanted evening where they are the stars of the story.
Grandparents wipe tears from their eyes and shake their heads at the custom-designed sweets tables and six foot long sandwiches being picked over by friends and neighbors. The wide-eyed looks of awe and envy from every little girl in the crowd. They are imagining themselves in similar splendor when it's their turn.
While I look at the big business of Prom preparation with a jaundiced eye, the little girl in me wants to be just like them when I grow up.
Some prom send-offs are so crowded streets are backed up and tempers flare while little children weave in and out of their Mamas legs high on sugar and pure excitement. This an event for the ages, and it shows. It has been a pleasure capturing these seminal moments in young people's lives, but exhausting.
Proms used to be simple affairs in the over-decorated gym of their high school, but not now. Prom cruises on Lake Michigan, ballrooms at 5 star hotels, penthouse suites for the after-party all make for a majestic evening. I don't know how majestic it could be when feet are swelling in their Louis Vuitton's before they even get in the car.
Despite the excess and over the top drama, the look of pride in the prom-goers eyes makes me happy. So full of hope, so full of promise, smiles that could light up Broadway. An enchanted evening where they are the stars of the story.
Grandparents wipe tears from their eyes and shake their heads at the custom-designed sweets tables and six foot long sandwiches being picked over by friends and neighbors. The wide-eyed looks of awe and envy from every little girl in the crowd. They are imagining themselves in similar splendor when it's their turn.
While I look at the big business of Prom preparation with a jaundiced eye, the little girl in me wants to be just like them when I grow up.
