Unveiling the Prophet

Unveiling the Prophet
Author :
Publisher : University of Missouri Press
Total Pages : 169
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780826264916
ISBN-13 : 0826264913
Rating : 4/5 (16 Downloads)

Book Synopsis Unveiling the Prophet by : Lucy Ferriss

Download or read book Unveiling the Prophet written by Lucy Ferriss and published by University of Missouri Press. This book was released on 2005 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the autumn of 1972, Lucy Ferriss, then a college student in California, was preparing for the Veiled Prophet Ball at which she was to be presented to St. Louis society. Once the largest cotillion in the country, the invitation-only ball was unique among society events not only for the legend and mystery surrounding its namesake but also for its setting in a public, taxpayer-funded arena and for its accompanying parade. In the late sixties and early seventies, with racial tensions at a boiling point and urban renewal failing, the exclusively white male Christian membership of the Veiled Prophet Society and the Veiled Prophet's costume--eerily reminiscent of a Klansman's--attracted the ire of ACTION, a militant civil rights group. Before the 1972 ball, ACTION founder Percy Green, himself a native St. Louisan, sent letters inviting all of the debutantes to join in the protest: "ACTION understands that you hate being part of this upcoming white racist Veiled Prophet Ball as we hate you being forced to participate by your parents." The letter didn't persuade Ferriss, who felt she owed it to her father to participate. She wrote back: "Don't you have bigger fish to fry? This is just a stupid party. We are slaughtering people in Southeast Asia. Let this one go. It will fall of its own weight." But ACTION did not let this one go. On the night of the ball, as Ferriss bowed in obeisance to the crowd and took her place on the stage, a woman swooped down onto the stage and knocked off the Veiled Prophet's hat and veil, revealing his identity. In the era of monumental Vietnam War protests, unmasking a wealthy and powerful old man might have seemed a feeble act of revolution, but this act forever changed the Veiled Prophet Ball in St. Louis. Ferriss's memoir blends regional history, national history, and her own personal history to create a fast-paced narrative that follows two time lines. One is the dramatic and often funny story of her attending the exclusive ball, having eaten half a pan of marijuana brownies beforehand, with a Jewish hippie who smelled of "unwashed beard." The other story takes place thirty years later as Ferriss returns to St. Louis from her home on the East Coast to track down some of ACTION's principal activists as well as key figures in the Veiled Prophet Society. Over the course of this engaging story, Ferriss undergoes her own unveiling, as she discusses and comes to terms with her family; the past, present, and future of St. Louis; and the cultural politics that frame young women's entrance into society.


Unveiling the Prophet Related Books

Unveiling the Prophet
Language: en
Pages: 169
Authors: Lucy Ferriss
Categories: Biography & Autobiography
Type: BOOK - Published: 2005 - Publisher: University of Missouri Press

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In the autumn of 1972, Lucy Ferriss, then a college student in California, was preparing for the Veiled Prophet Ball at which she was to be presented to St. Lou
More Than a Prophet
Language: en
Pages: 276
Authors: Emir Fethi Caner
Categories: Religion
Type: BOOK - Published: - Publisher: Kregel Publications

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

For the world's one billion Muslims, Jesus is a prophet. A highly respected prophet, but one of many throughout history. For Christians, Jesus is more than a pr
Unveiling Islam
Language: en
Pages: 260
Authors: Ergun Mehmet Caner
Categories: History
Type: BOOK - Published: 2002 - Publisher: Kregel Publications

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

(Foreword by Richard Land) An insider's look at the reality of Islam by two former Sunni Muslims widely respected for their ability to clearly explain the Musli
Ritual America
Language: en
Pages: 361
Authors: Craig Heimbichner
Categories: Social Science
Type: BOOK - Published: 2012-03-06 - Publisher: Feral House

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"Adam Parfrey is one of the nation's most provocative publishers."—Seattle Weekly "Secret society historian Craig Heimbichner follows the Middle Path to wisdo
Unveiling Islam
Language: en
Pages: 176
Authors: Roger Du Pasquier
Categories: Islam
Type: BOOK - Published: 1992 - Publisher:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Alone among the world's religions, Islam is not just surviving but flourishing. Yet many people know little about Islam and regard its continuing attraction as