Was it offensive of the teenager to wear a traditional dress to her prom? [Photo: Twitter]

A teenager is in hot water after wearing a traditional Chinese dress known as a cheongsam to her high school prom.

Keziah shared several snapshots from the evening via Twitter and one social media user was quick to criticise the 18-year-old for her choice of attire.

He took to the digital platform to write: “My culture is NOT your goddamn prom dress.”

The Twitter user then began to explain his feelings on her outfit by detailing the history behind the 1920s garment. According to Lam, the Chinese dress was originally designed for women to wear while carrying out domestic chores and thus symbolises patriarchal oppression.

He explained: “I’m proud of my culture, including the extreme barriers marginalised people within that culture have had to overcome those obstacles. For it to simply be subject to American consumerism and cater to a white audience, is parallel to colonial ideology.”

My culture is NOT your goddamn prom dress. https://t.co/vhkNOPevKD — Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 27, 2018

Unrelated Fun Fact (a thread):

The qipao was originally a loose dress/garment without shape, made for Chinese women to clean the house and do other domestic chores with. — Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 28, 2018

It was then altered and embroidered as a beautiful form-fitting outfit to wear publically, which Chinese women were not allowed to do at during the times of extreme patriarchal oppression. — Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 28, 2018

In a time where Asian women were silenced they were able to create, not only a piece of art but a symbol of activism. This piece of clothing embraced femininity, confidence, and gender equality through its beautiful, eye-catching appearance. — Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 28, 2018

It even broke the division of financial classes! It could be made with high-quality materials that only the upper class could afford such as special silks and linens, but a dress just as beautiful could have been made with just cotton and low-quality linen. — Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 28, 2018

Femme factory workers wore this dress!!! And the style was then spread throughout Asian as a beautiful garment and sign of women’s liberation. — Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 28, 2018

In short:

I’m proud of my culture, including the extreme barriers marginalized people within that culture have had to overcome those obstacles. For it to simply be subject to American consumerism and cater to a white audience, is parallel to colonial ideology. — Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 28, 2018

And Jeremy Lam’s comments divided followers.

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One Twitter user supported his opinions and Tweeted: “If you ‘appreciate’ and ‘love’ our culture, you’d know it’s a traditional gown. Yet you claim, ‘it’s just a dress’. It has cultural meaning and significance to us. What you said shows no appreciation but shows plenty of appropriation.”

Sis, you’re literally mocking them with these poses pic.twitter.com/yCCWrnpI3z — zaddy smith (@CarlyRaePrEPsen) April 28, 2018

As a consequence to the controversy, the American teenager has since apologised and told her followers in a candid Tweet:

“To everyone who says I’m ignorant, I fully understand everyone’s concerns and views on my dress. I mean no harm. I am in no way being discriminative or racist. I’m tired of all the backlash and hate when my only intent was to show my love”.

But she then added that despite the backlash, she will not delete her prom photographs.

A large majority of followers flocked to the social media platform to support Keziah’s decision.

One wrote: “I’m Asian and I’m not insulted in any way. You look beautiful.”

While another commented, “You look gorgeous and the dress is stunning! What a wonderful world we live in where we can share culture and dress in special design and style across the world representing the culture of earth and the art of humanity.”

This isn’t ok. I wouldn’t wear traditional Korean, Japanese or any other traditional dress and I’m Asian. I wouldn’t wear traditional Irish or Swedish or Greek dress either. There’s a lot of history behind these clothes. Sad. — Jeannie (@JeannieBeanie99) April 28, 2018

I think that dress is very well made and looks good on you. I’m definitely not offended. Appreciating another culture is a compliment to me. — Kim Kham (@KimAnswers) April 30, 2018

I’m Asian, and you look beautiful. The internet needs to relax. America is supposed to be a melting pot, so let’s all be inclusive, yeah? — Margieeeeee (@margeanhtu) April 30, 2018

You look gorgeous and the dress is stunning! What a wonderful world we live in where we can share culture and dress in special design and style from across the world representing the culture of Earth and the art of humanity. ❤️ — Jerris (@jboezoe) April 28, 2018

To everyone causing so much negativity: I mean no disrespect to the Chinese culture. I’m simply showing my appreciation to their culture. I’m not deleting my post because I’ve done nothing but show my love for the culture. It’s a fucking dress. And it’s beautiful. — Keziah (@daumkeziah) April 28, 2018

It seems the jury is still out on this one. What do you think?



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