People are accusing a teenage girl of cultural appropriation for wearing a traditional Chinese dress to prom
- Keziah Daum, a senior at Woods Cross High School in Woods Cross, Utah, is facing backlash over her prom dress.
- People are accusing the 18-year-old high school senior of cultural appropriation and racism because she wore a traditional Chinese dress.
- Daum told INSIDER that she didn't intend to be racist and she wore the dress because she liked the way it looks.
There's nothing wrong with wanting your outfit to stand out at prom. Whether you wear a dress that shows off your heroes or your culture, a little bit of creativity can go a long way.
But some people think Keziah Daum, an 18-year-old senior at Woods Cross High School in Woods Cross, Utah, went too far with her prom dress, which was a traditional Chinese cheongsam dress.
Pictures of Daum posing in the dress alongside her friends went viral after she posted them on Twitter on April 22.
PROM pic.twitter.com/gsJ0LtsCmP
— Keziah (@daumkeziah) April 22, 2018
Daum told INSIDER that she bought the dress from a thrift store in Salt Lake City, Utah, because she simply liked the way it looked. "I bought the dress because I thought it was beautiful and admired the beauty of the culture," she said.
Although it wasn't her intent, Daum's original post got people talking.
Some people are accusing the teen of appropriating a culture that she's not a part of.
honey, you look beautiful and so is that cheongsam but I am curious.. are you part chinese?
— katana (@bunchukuu) April 27, 2018
My culture is NOT your goddamn prom dress. https://t.co/vhkNOPevKD
— Jeremy Lam (@jere_bare) April 27, 2018
Was the theme of prom casual racism?
— .kate. (@holdyourbutts) April 27, 2018
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
Others said they don't have a problem with the dress.
I’m asian and I’m not insulted in any way. You look beautiful.
— Gina 🍓 (@MissGinaDarling) April 28, 2018
Girl you better rock this dress. We all humans. No need to be greedy and act like something can only be for ONE person/Group. People need to stop ambushing you. You think it’s a beautiful dress so why can’t people be proud youthink their cultural dress is gorg?
— LaFawnduh (@Little___Renee) April 29, 2018
I don’t see anything wrong with her wearing that... but her mans tie is just ugly as fuck lmao https://t.co/sbk30Nc1Em
— bvggedlex (@ALOHALEXI) April 28, 2018
But a few people have said they don't take issue with Daum's dress, but the group photo in which her friend posed with their hands together.
I’m Asian & I think u look great in the dress! Hope u had a great prom! 🙏🏼 has been used to make fun of Asians when done from a non-Asian in the past. I’ll assume the 🙏🏼 was not intended to be racist but just understand it can be seen that way & I hope u learned from this 😄
— 🎄David Choi🎄 (@DavidChoiMusic) April 30, 2018
Just for your info, I’m a 100% chinese and I found this amazingly beautiful. Just not the put ur palms together shot. Otherwise, i don’t see a problem.
— ❄𝓝𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓒. ナタン❄ (@nathanckk) April 30, 2018
Daum said she didn't mean any harm.
"I feel people have seen the photos and others opinions and has viewed them in the wrong way. Making assumptions is something that has definitely caused a lot of this controversy and backlash," she said. "I would like my critics to know that I have no ill intent against other cultures and that I was simply showing my appreciation."
Daum has been vocal on Twitter and has made a point of responding to the criticism. She also addressed the situation in a series of tweets.
I don’t understand everyone’s need or desire to cause so much hate. I’m simply showing my love for a beautiful culture and there is nothing wrong with that. Keep talking shit. I don’t care. I have much respect for the Chinese culture ❤️
— Keziah (@daumkeziah) 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
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.
— Keziah (@daumkeziah) April 28, 2018
She told INSIDER: "I hope everyone will be able to understand that I never intended any form racism. I love everyone. And I am going to stand my ground."
It's unclear if Wood Cross High School has addressed the situation. Representatives for the school didn't immediately return INSIDER's request for comment.
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SEE ALSO: People are criticizing a Florida teen for a racist promposal: 'If I was black I'd be picking cotton'
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