Yes, it is true. (…and perhaps the world is coming to an end…).
The Bull and Barack H. Obama, (or at least his Inaugural Committee), agree that – despite the objections falling from the foaming mouth of the rabid Alabama NAACP leader, one Edward Vaughn – the Mobile County Azalea Trail Maids will make a wonderful, not to mention beautiful, addition to a truly historic Inauguration.
[Azalea Trail Maids on Parade]
Vaughn, in one of his more pitiful attempts at continued relevancy, made the comment that the Trail Maids should stay home on Inauguration Day, claiming the group reminds him of slavery. “These are not just regular costumes.” Vaughn said, “These are the costumes that remind someone of the plantation in Gone with the Wind.” Vaughn went on to say the group would be the laughing stock of the Inauguration.
Other folks, both black and white, seem to disagree with the Alabama NAACP leader. “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. Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine said, “We want everyone to know that these young ladies do not need to be identified with slavery.”
This year’s 50 Trail Maids number 38 Caucasian young ladies with the remaining number being minorities. With that ratio I am hard pressed to see how someone, (even someone as deranged as Vaughn), can possibly find this wonderful organization in any way “racist”.
Since the 1920’s fifty young women from High Schools around the county are chosen to represent Mobile. Thousands of young women of all races apply each year for the 50 positions. They design and make their own intricate dress, costing between $3000 and $5000 each. They wear these beautiful, yet exceedingly heavy and hot costume dresses for a year, traveling around the county and even the Country representing Mobile and dealing with the tropical Mobile heat & humidity. It is challenging, expensive, and yet rewarding for the girls and their families. How does The Bull know? Because my beloved bride, Lady Beth, was a Trail Maid in 1994-95.
[Lady Beth as a Trail Maid 1995]
Yep, The Bull is a very fortunate man – as the above photo proves. But I digress…
Though they were caught by surprise by the invitation to the Inauguration, the Azalea Trail Maids will parade in Washington D.C. on January 20th. The Azalea Trail Maids show all that is good and proper about Mobile, Alabama, and the South. They show hospitality, civility, kindness, and consideration for others. They welcome distinguished visitors to our fair Home and guide many on tours of our land and explain our deep-rooted traditions. Indeed, to have the Trail Maids meet you at your arrival is considered a great honor.
It seems that Barack H. Obama understands that honor, and perhaps some of those traditions, even though he is not a Southerner.
It is a real shame that the Alabama NAACP and Edward Vaughn do not.
Bull, out!
