A teenager's prom photos are gaining popularity, but not in the way she anticipated. Her posts on social media have sparked outrage, and many feel they cross a line between appreciating and appropriating culture.
Utah senior Keziah Daum wore a red cheongsam, or qipao, to her prom. She posted pictures of herself in the traditional Chinese dress, and it has almost a hundred thousand people buzzing.
PROM pic.twitter.com/gsJ0LtsCmP
— Keziah (@daumkeziah) April 22, 2018
According to The Washington Post, Daum got the dress at a vintage store in downtown Salt Lake City.
Daum told the Post the dress “really gave me a sense of appreciation and admiration for other cultures and their beauty.”
Regardless of her reasons for purchasing the dress, Daum's pictures blew up on social media.
Many people are offended by her dress, saying that it's culture appropriation.
Twitter user Jeremy Lam wrote, "My culture is NOT your ... prom dress. 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."
Others support Daum and are defending her against the online 'bullies.'
So this dude found a random girl online and convinced 100k+ people to bully her over a prom dress.
Bro if your idea of your culture is so shallow that it can be boiled down to a dress then if anyone is insulting it its you. https://t.co/4WbKqZU3kz
— Ethan Klein (@h3h3productions) April 29, 2018
A few people of Chinese heritage even voiced their support for Daum.
I am a Chinese woman. I support you. You rocked that dress!! I have an 18 year old daughter who just had her prom. She said people might be just jealous that you look awesome in that dress. 😁
— YING LI (@msyinseattle) May 1, 2018
Though she's sorry for offending people, Daum isn't listening to the criticism. She tweeted, "I'm sorry if you were offended. I'm not taking anything down. Thank you for everyone who has been kind to me."
