The VP Controversy

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Recently there was some controversy over an actress (who at the time was 19 and not yet famous) who participated and was crowned queen of a ball with racist origins. This took place in St. Louis, Missouri, my hometown, and is known as the Veiled Prophet Ball. This incident has highlighted how something that in our modern day may at first seem innocuous, was in fact originally a racist celebration. Many times people are not fully aware of the terrible history of an organisation, an event, or a even a celebration. For example, I grew up in St. Louis and only recently learned of the history behind the VP Ball. As a child, I only understood the Veiled Prophet celebrations (which were usually referred to by their initials VP) as the name given to the annual Fourth of July celebrations in St. Louis. There was the VP Fair and the VP Parade, held every year on that ever important American holiday. So for me, growing up, the initials VP were just synonymous with the Fourth of July. 

I believe that it was important that this incident was highlighted, however, I don’t fault the actress for participating as, more than likely, she was equally unaware of the racist origins of the ball. However, it is important to acknowledge that there are many things within this country that have offensive origins. Pretending otherwise does a disservice to history and the people who fought so long and hard to make this country a better one. It also helps to address the continuing importance of education and the ability for one to change and grow. Nobody is perfect. With that sentiment in mind, we should remember to forgive those that learn from their mistakes and attempt to do better. We should also continue to hold people and organisations to account so that they do not slide back into their old ways.  

Yet, I think a major aspect of this current controversy is being overlooked. The racist origins (as well as any continuing racist elements) of the VP Ball, should definitely be examined and fully noted, but attention should also be devoted to the fact that the Veiled Prophet celebrations were a wealthy elitist celebration with one of the goals being to maintain the wealthy elitist class over the needs of the less fortunate. It’s noted that the actress in the current controversy is a member of an old wealthy St. Louis family. Yet this doesn’t seem to get as much attention as the racist origins of the organisation. The problem that I see here, is that this focus on race seems to be done as a distraction to keep the average poor white person from questioning the elitist institution. In articles it is emphasized that the organisation had racist origins but eventually integrated in 1979. Most white people will then disregard racism as being a continuing issue. They will see this as an faux controversy: an attack on a famous actress because of something she innocently participated in as a teenager. Little attention is paid to the fact that she was only crowned queen because she was a wealthy white girl from a prominent wealthy St. Louis family and it was basically her turn. The list of queens indicate that typically only wealthy white girls from prominent wealthy St. Louis families will ever be crowned queen. Deflecting the issue here as one only of race, gives the wealthy white families cover to continue with these celebrations while the average person argues about whether there is still racism involved in this organisation or if the actress in the current controversy is in fact racist for participating. But what should actually be remembered and discussed is that the average person, whether white or black, will never even have the opportunity to participate in this ball. 

Many opportunities are made from the connections that one is able to secure. In an elitist organisation that continues to pander exclusively to an elite group, the damage will continue to accrue even if the racist origins and elements are nominally forsaken. The children of wealthy families are surrounded by privilege and opportunity. They can accomplish more by doing less because they know the right people. The focus with the current controversy should be less on the racial history of the organisation and more on how the organisation is still an elitist institution being used to further a class divide. The first step in developing a better society is to legally provide equality to all members. The next step needs to be levelling the playing field for all. Elitist organisations should be reorganised to provide for the needs of the entire community, not just the wealthy. The poor, whether white or black, will never get ahead until the opportunities given to the wealthy are given to them as well.