So, when I woke up this morning and saw that the Blackhawks had won***, I was (unreasonably?) happy. I mean, I know; it's just a game and in the grand scheme of things it means nothing; but living in Blackhawks country during the playoffs when your team is on fire is really, really fun. Because I am such a sap and my heart is just millimeters beneath the surface, I get choked up seeing the buses pass by with "GO HAWKS" on their marquees. I crank up the TV during the ridiculously loud National Anthem and cheer and whistle along. I clap and yell at the refs and whoop and curse. In those moments, I am one of the herd and I love it. It is so unlike (most of) the rest of my life when I am in that weird 10% that goes against the grain of seemingly every situation.
*** it ended at one a.m. after starting the THIRD overtime. I get up early. I stayed up for the first OT, then went to bed hoping for the best.
This morning I also found a prom invitation for my middle son. My Charles got invited to...the "Special", district-wide prom.
I wanted to scream.
After reading the handout that came along with the invite, I wanted to scream some more. This is an actual excerpt: We encourage the students to enter independently to make it as much like a REGULAR prom as possible (emphasis mine).
WHAT?!? So...it's a prom but not a regular prom. Ohkaaayyy...
I just don't get it. Will someone please explain to me why my kid can't just go (or not go!) to the ACTUAL PROM like everyone else? Seriously?!?!? Why is this even a thing?
Like most things like this, I am sure that it was started out of love and concern and wanting something nice for our (different) kids; but as with everything else, separate is NOT equal. Separate classes are not equal. Separate schools are not equal. No matter how inclusive and welcoming you think your school is, these types of classes and events only shine a spotlight square on differences and it is not a flattering glow.
Let's be real. The prom is a rite of passage, but the event is not equal for everyone, anyway. Not everyone has a date. Not everyone can afford a tux rental or a $600 dress, hair stylist, manicure, pedicure, limousine and on and on. Not everyone has a gaggle of friends to hang out with and eat dinner with and (ZOMG!!! iamsowasted) party with afterwards. Not everyone wants to, either. For some, it's too mainstream, too bourgeois, too everythingtheyhateabouthighschool, and that is fine. Some of us went to our senior proms with boyfriends they should have broken up with months before so that they could dance with the ex-boyfriend they should have gone with, instead.
I mean, I have heard.
So, here I am again, in that seeming minority of people that thinks these things are a horrible idea. And I am sure to get crapped on for crapping on it. Let's think about it this way, though. Is a "whites only" prom a good idea? Or is it totally backwards? Seriously? How about proms that keep out kids because of their sexual orientation? Effing REALLY?!? No? Not a great idea, you say? Yeah, this is the same. It is EXACTLY THE SAME THING. Many people just don't see it, yet. Am I unreasonable? Maybe. Maybe I would have more friends if I just kept my mouth shut and went along to get along. Maybe... and, maybe my middle son will go to his Junior or Senior prom and maybe he won't.
Just like everyone else.
