Stop Policing Black Prom Culture

Prom season is supposed to be a joyous time, a celebration of milestones and burgeoning adulthood. Yet, for Black girls, this special occasion is too often marred by relentless criticism and judgment. From social media comments to everyday chatter, the policing of Black prom culture has reached a toxic extreme, and it’s time for adults to step back and let these young women shine.

The Relentless Scrutiny

Scroll through any prom-related content online, and you’ll likely encounter a barrage of judgmental comments: “I bet they live in the projects,” “She better have a college fund,” or “Her dress, makeup, hair and nails are tacky!” These critiques, often delivered by adults, are not only harsh but deeply unfair. They ignore the diverse realities of Black girls’ lives, from those living in public housing to those from affluent backgrounds.

The reality is, Black girls come from all walks of life. Some have supportive families contributing to their college funds since infancy, while others may be pursuing vocational training or working blue-collar jobs post-college. Regardless of their background or choices, every single one of these paths is worthy of celebration, not condemnation. And those so-called “tacky” style choices? They often reflect innovative creativity that high-fashion designers would envy.

Understanding the Adultification of Black Girls

Brianna Baker, founder and executive director of Justice for Black Girls, sheds light on this troubling trend. She explains that the constant critique is deeply rooted in the “adultification” of Black girls. A 2019 study by the Georgetown University Law Center on Poverty and Inequality found that Black girls are often perceived as older, less innocent, and less deserving of protection than their peers.

This perception turns joyful coming-of-age moments like prom into sites of public critique rather than celebration. Furthermore, there’s a societal discomfort with Black expression that deviates from “respectability politics.” When Black girls show up creatively, boldly, or innovatively, their choices are too quickly labeled as “too much,” “ghetto,” or “hood,” instead of being recognized as vibrant cultural production and imagination.

The Normalization of Surveillance and Lack of Grace

Baker points out that society has normalized the public surveillance and policing of Black girls. Adults often project their own expectations, insecurities, and moral judgments onto them in ways they don’t with other young people. Social media has amplified this, turning Black girls’ images and choices into topics for public commentary rather than recognizing them as human experiences deserving of care.

There’s a concerning unwillingness to extend grace, curiosity, and humanity to Black girls. Instead of asking what a moment means to them, many immediately resort to criticism. We must interrogate why Black girls’ joy often makes people uncomfortable and why their self-expression is so frequently seen as something needing correction. The goal should be to foster a Black girlhood experience that doesn’t require grieving later in life.

Celebrating Black Families and Creativity

Black prom culture has historically been a space for communal celebration, showcasing beauty, survival, excellence, and self-expression, often in the face of exclusion. When Black families invest in these milestones, their generosity is often wrongly framed as irresponsible or excessive. This stems from a bias that assumes Black families celebrating their children are financially irresponsible.

The concept of “Black extravagance” isn’t solely about monetary spending; it’s about innovation and creativity. We see young people designing gowns from crochet, sewing intricate appliques, and adorning themselves with grills and hair art. These expressions showcase the boundless imaginations of young Black children and deserve praise, not criticism.

To any Black girl reading this—you deserve all the beauty you experienced during prom. And to any baby who didn’t get the prom of their dreams, your dream experience is on its way to you! — Brianna Baker, Justice for Black Girls