Once again, as prom season rolls around, a high school has found itself in hot water for its misguided attempt to manage young women’s fashion choices. This time, it was Lincoln High School in Jacksonville, Florida, that came under fire for displaying flyers featuring various prom dress styles. While some of the dresses adhered to the school’s dress code, others did not. The flyers, labeled “Going to Lincoln Prom?” featured a condescending message: dresses that complied received the stamp of approval, “Yes, you are. Good girl,” while non-compliant dresses—such as those with backless designs or high slits—were marked with “No, you’re not.”
The phrase “Good girl?” raises eyebrows. Are school officials addressing young ladies or speaking to a pet? It’s one thing to enforce a dress code; it’s another to infantilize young women in the process. Student Mia Thompson took to Twitter to share an image of the flyers, prompting a wave of backlash. Fellow students quickly rallied around the hashtag #LincolnGoodGirl to voice their discontent.
The following day, instead of the planned “Tourist Day,” students organized a “Women’s Day” protest, donning purple and white in solidarity against the messaging. Many even crafted shirts emblazoned with the female symbol using duct tape.
In a commendable turn of events, the school administration recognized the error and promptly took down the flyers, issuing a formal apology shortly thereafter. The school district acknowledged that the flyers were “not an approved policy” by Lincoln or the Duval County Public Schools, assuring that they were removed immediately. “We sincerely apologize for the inappropriate messaging,” said the school principal, Jessica Hart. “Our goal was to ensure that prom remains a joyful occasion for everyone.”
It is perplexing that any school administrator thought the term “good girl” would be suitable in this context. What stands out, however, is the unity and activism displayed by the students. Thompson noted that once the administration understood why the flyers were offensive, they were quick to address the issue. “Initially, they didn’t grasp how demeaning it was, but once we explained, they were very receptive and apologized,” she shared.
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In summary, the incident at Lincoln High School underscores the importance of mindful communication, especially when it involves young women. The students’ ability to unite and make their voices heard led to a swift change, demonstrating the power of collective action.