are ya kiddin' me with this?

[hunybee]

http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=9655036&nav=menu33_2

Alabama NAACP criticizes use of Trail Maids in Inaugural Parade

Montgomery, Ala. (WSFA) -- They're part of a long standing tradition that will soon become a part of Presidential history. The head of the Alabama NAACP, however, wants Mobile's Azalea Trail Maids to stay home on Inauguration Day, claiming the group reminds him of slavery.
"These are not just regular costumes. These are the costumes that remind someone of the plantation in Gone with the Wind," Edward Vaughn said in a phone interview.
Vaughn went on to say the group would be the laughing stock of the Inauguration. County leaders say nothing could be further from the truth.
"We want everyone to know that these young ladies do not need to be identified with slavery," said Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine.
"I don't see what the dresses have to do with racism. I don't see it. It's just a regular dress to me. Just a dress they wore back in the day," said Carolyn Tius of Montgomery.
Organizers stand behind the tradition, but opponents say tradition is the problem.
"We needed something that could show Alabama's great progress rather than something that shows a shameful past," Vaughn said.

(http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php)

[momof3]

hahaha I was just coming to post the same story. This gets my vote for most ridiculous item of the day!!

[Buttercup]

http://wsfa.images.worldnow.com/images/9655036_BG1.jpg

I remember wanting a dress like this when I was a little girl. (I still do!:-D)

[White lightning]

Wait a minute!! Who in the NAACP was or has been a slave? This is crazy talk if you ask me. Just another way for the NAACP to get headline's. What more will the NAACP want...? We as AMERICAN'S need to move past all the bulldung with slavery...more important matters at hand. So what other traditions are we going to fore go? The pledge? The National anthem?

[funkyducky]

http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=9655036&nav=menu33_2

Alabama NAACP criticizes use of Trail Maids in Inaugural Parade

Montgomery, Ala. (WSFA) -- They're part of a long standing tradition that will soon become a part of Presidential history. The head of the Alabama NAACP, however, wants Mobile's Azalea Trail Maids to stay home on Inauguration Day, claiming the group reminds him of slavery.
"These are not just regular costumes. These are the costumes that remind someone of the plantation in Gone with the Wind," Edward Vaughn said in a phone interview.
Vaughn went on to say the group would be the laughing stock of the Inauguration. County leaders say nothing could be further from the truth.
"We want everyone to know that these young ladies do not need to be identified with slavery," said Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine.
"I don't see what the dresses have to do with racism. I don't see it. It's just a regular dress to me. Just a dress they wore back in the day," said Carolyn Tius of Montgomery.
Organizers stand behind the tradition, but opponents say tradition is the problem.
"We needed something that could show Alabama's great progress rather than something that shows a shameful past," Vaughn said.

(http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php)



I'm a liberal and I think that's really, really stupid. I did a google search and the group was founded well after the Civil War. I also found this entry about the controversy on the Daily Kos that has a picture of some of the young ladies, one of whom is African-American:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/12/63040/6873/377/683057
I've lived in the north all my life and when I think of the south, dresses like that is one of the things that comes to mind. Although I personally hate dressing up and wouldn't be comfortable at all in a dress like that, it seems like a neat thing for the young women involved. It sounds like someone has WAAYYY too much time on his hands if he's getting upset about this. :roll:

And if anyone interested in the dresses, I found this page from one of the dressmakers involved with making the dresses:
http://costumes.lovetoknow.com/Azalea_Trail_Maids

Edited to add:
Here's a like to the Presidential Inagular Committee page about them:
http://www.pic2009.org/blog/entry/marching_on_the_azalea_trail_maids/

Marching On: The Azalea Trail Maids

In this series, we’ll profile the incredible talent that will be marching in the 56th Inaugural Parade on January 20th, 2009.
Every time Sarah puts on her peach organza hoop dress, it reminds her of where she’s from.
Mobile, Alabama, the high school senior will say with a Southern lilt. She’s proud of her Southern heritage and wants to share it with as many out-of-towners as possible. That’s why she first interviewed last year to be on the Azalea Trail Maids court that will be marching in the 56th Inaugural Parade.
The 50 Trail Maids travel all over the country representing the city of Mobile – its rich past and of course, abounding hospitality. Festooned in intricately ruffled dresses with skirts measuring five-feet in diameter, Azalea Trail Maids are sometimes mistaken for Disney princesses. It breaks little girls’ hearts, Sarah says, when she tells them she’s not.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3185734631_80a5bc3a4c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/inauguration/3185734631/)
The dresses—costing anywhere from $3,000 - $6,000—are patterned after the blossoming azaleas that line the streets of Mobile every spring. People come from all over to walk the Azalea Trail, which was created in the 1920s to draw tourists to the city.
By the late 1940s, the Maids had appeared to greet the tourists and export the experience of strolling down the Azalea-lined streets to those who couldn’t make it to the city. The Maids have participated in parades and festivals across the country, including the 2004 Inaugural Parade.
Since they weren’t expecting to be chosen for another inaugural parade, they’ve been scrambling to raise money for the trip. Andy, who oversees the court, says the girls have been doing everything they can think of to cover their expenses, including bagging groceries for tips, standing on busy streets with tin cups and selling donuts. Perhaps the most creative idea has been a “Jeans Day” where students pay $5 to wear jeans to school instead of their uniforms.
All their efforts are worth it, Sarah says, for the honor of walking in the Inaugural Parade.

[momof23goats]

the dresses are beautiful. and Buttercup, I think every southern little girl wants a dress like that .I know I did, and still do. :mrgreen: The do show apart of the south. not slavery, but the old southern ball gowns.

[Buttercup]

the dresses are beautiful. and Buttercup, I think every southern little girl wants a dress like that .I know I did, and still do. :mrgreen: The do show apart of the south. not slavery, but the old southern ball gowns.
Yes and they do look like beautiful flowers.