Commentary: ‘Prom draft’ doesn’t offend this feminist, but newspaper does

By Isabella BradleyRe. “How the CdM ‘prom draft’ works,” May 8:

I am a senior at Corona del Mar High School, and I am outraged about the comments published about my school.

I am founder and president of the Feminism Club at Corona del Mar, so I can clearly understand the sexist implications that a “prom draft” holds. I strongly disagree with the objectification of girls as commodities. No one has the right to buy anyone without their consent, as the article alleges was done.

What I do not agree with, though, is blaming Corona del Mar High School or the city of Newport Beach for this rumored display.

The society we live in has many, many problems that it needs to address, and sexism is definitely one of them. The article does not address the subject of sexism, but presents a negative view of an entire school for the supposed actions of a few students.

It suggests that readers should be offended by the students at my school; it does not empower us to fight against the reasons why the “prom draft” is bad. Though I am not someone who is typically brimming with pride for my school, I find the article to be overly critical of an institution that is not the root of the problem.

Though I am disgusted by the concept of the prom draft, I am also ashamed of the treatment of my school regarding the rumors surrounding it. I have not come across a single article regarding this issue, from any publication, that holds any factual merit, besides the supposed $140 spent on a date.

This drama that your publication has created around my school is hindering, if not inhibiting, my sense of integrity for the educational system and education as a whole. I suggest that the newspaper instead discuss my school’s positive attributes, such as the Feminism Club.

I do know it’s difficult to make news out of something positive, since it’s not as scandalous, but for the sake of the students, please hold off on doing stories about Corona del Mar High School.

ISABELLA BRADLEY is a senior at Corona del Mar High School.