Lilac Court lacks diversity

Tue., May 29, 2018

While the annual Lilac Parade is a wonderful family outing and tribute to our Armed Forces, maybe it is time to re-think one aspect of the event, namely the Lilac Queen and her court. Spokane is becoming more diverse — culturally, ethnically, sexually, etc. — and has thousands of high school students. Yet it’s pretty much a given every year that the Lilac court can be described as “(Eight) smiling, white girls in ball gowns.”

Maybe no other students apply, or whatever you do to be in the running for the Lilac Court. Maybe they feel it would be a wasted effort. But I think something could be done to make this part of the parade more reflective of the present day.

Joe O’Shaughnessy

Spokane

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