When Jewish children dress up to celebrate Purim, is it any big deal if a little boy asks to be Queen Esther? The star of the show?
Here’s more on Purim. Dang. I wish we had something like this.
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There’s a “minority dynamics” factor here.
The article mentions that in most religious holidays, a male is “center stage” and females are in supporting roles.
If the little boy becomes Queen Esther, he takes the role away from a girl.
It’s sort of like a white person becoming president of the NAACP. Possible, and the person might even be good presidential material, but this would deny a black person this opportunity.
My understanding is that kids can dress as whoever they want. There’s no specific role assigned, but I could be wrong.
I loved her line about the kid’s no more believing he’s Queen Esther than he believes he’s a frog, his Hallowe’en alter ego.
But no one got freaked out about the frog.
“If the little boy becomes Queen Esther, he takes the role away from a girl. ”
This is assuming, of course, that girls won’t ever want to dress up in masculine costumes.
“It’s sort of like a white person becoming president of the NAACP. Possible, and the person might even be good presidential material, but this would deny a black person this opportunity.”
In an ideal world, a white person COULD do a great job as the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (the title doesn’t say Association for Colored People Only). And in an ideal world, a man COULD do a great job as a leader in the National Organization FOR (not Of) Women. It’s as unlikely that these things will ever happen as it is that we’ll live in an ideal world, however……
Actually, as I think about this, in a TRULY ideal world there would be no need for an NAACP or a NOW or an Anti-Defamation League or any such organization. (“….in perfect har-mo-neeeee”)
I’d harmonze with you, but my singing voice is at the cleaner’s.
I am the first white member of a local Black advocacy organization.
I was asked to be an officer, but I declined as I felt it important that the officers be Black. I’m glad to be in a supportive role.
That is very cool.
When my son was about 2 1/2, he was completely smitten with Minny Mouse. We went to Disney World and he had no interest in seeing Mickey. If given the choice, he would have surely dressed as Minny, his favorite. A lot of kids don’t think about the sex of the one they like best when it comes to these things. They just know who they like.
I think that’s very sweet. My son loved Goofy, mostly because of the sound he made when he was going over cliffs and stuff.
I can’t remember what sound he made, but that’s a kid for ya. I think my son loved Minny’s eyelashes.
Let’s see if I can recreate it. It went something like (in diminishing noise): WAH-hoo-hoo-hoo.
Now I recognize it.
Just heard from my kids who are on a school ski trip. Their bus had brake trouble and thank goodness everyone is ok. They’ve been stranded for 2 1/2 hours, waiting for a replacement bus with a 3 1/2 hour drive still ahead of them. I wish they were home.
Boy, they’re going to be some tired bunnies.
Then they got stuck in snow with the replacement bus a few times…finally arrived at hotel at 3:20am! Very tired bunnies!
And I bet YOU have not slept all night!
Oh, I thought they were heading home. They are heading out. Man. That’s going to put an interesting spin on their vacation.
Good luck to the kids, and your nerves, Jac.
If the kid isn’t in the play, big whoop-de-do.
as (I believe) the DJ club’s token Jew, just weighing in that as far as I’m concerned (and I certainly do not represent “the tribe” here) a little boy can choose to be Queen Esther as easily and rightly as a little girl can choose to be a fireman or a policeman (using the gender based nouns intentionally here).
Jac, hope you and the kids are enjoying a good day together after a pretty rough night!
I like to think of you as Wonder Jew, Just Joan, not simply “Token Jew.” There’s a difference. You get to wear a crown and stuff. Can you answer this: If a little boy chooses to dress as Esther, does that mean a little girl at the same time and temple can’t dress as Esther? Or can kids dress as whomever they want?
Thanks, just joan. They should be home by tomorrow night and I will be very happy to see their tired bodies.
DJ, I am reading The Shack this weekend. My preconcieved notions (and I probably have fewer than many) are off in the cosmos–kids are kids and should be allowed to be so in any way they wish–it’s called playing! And the Wonder title is a little tough for me–never even had a bat mitzvah (but am happy that people think i have committed mitzvahs in my life).
Mitzvahs are bigger than bat or bar mitzvahs, if you ask this non-Jew. Want us to throw you one here? We won’t know what we’re doing, but our hearts are pure!
Yes, they were heading to ME with their school for the weekend (while I’m at home). Hopefully, they are enjoying a great day of skiing. After another day of skiing tomorrow, they head home. Hopefully, that trip will go more smoothly.
They’re kind of owed that, if you ask me. Crappy trip up, lovely trip back, says I.