After a friend here in Port Townsend lost her husband last month, she went into the bank to deposit a large check. The clerk said, "Lucky woman! Did you sell your house?" She said, "No my husband died." She said to me after this incident that she wished our culture still wore black to symbolize mourning and the loss of a loved one so that this banker and everyone else would have an idea of what she was experiencing. Without this custom and the meaning behind it, she was sure she appeared to be the same as she was before instead of being seen as transformed.
I also thought of the women who wear the chador (a full length body cloak) and are hidden behind this garment in public. No need to get beautiful, to be judged, to be leered at or jeered at. They can walk hidden among the crowds and in that sense be free.
I didn't know the background to Blue Suede Shoes, that is really interesting!
There are so many songs that highlight clothing...ascots, cardigans, coats, berets, boots...and all symbolic.
Hi Teresa,
After a friend here in Port Townsend lost her husband last month, she went into the bank to deposit a large check. The clerk said, "Lucky woman! Did you sell your house?" She said, "No my husband died." She said to me after this incident that she wished our culture still wore black to symbolize mourning and the loss of a loved one so that this banker and everyone else would have an idea of what she was experiencing. Without this custom and the meaning behind it, she was sure she appeared to be the same as she was before instead of being seen as transformed.
I also thought of the women who wear the chador (a full length body cloak) and are hidden behind this garment in public. No need to get beautiful, to be judged, to be leered at or jeered at. They can walk hidden among the crowds and in that sense be free.
Thanks as always for your interesting essay.
Diane
Thank you, Diane, for your insightful comments. Yes, I think of black clothing differently now.