Did someone invite you to an ‘Antebellum party?’ Do you enjoy the era of the Old South? If so, maybe you should attend the event.
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘Antebellum party’ refers to a themed event focusing on the pre-Civil War era of the Old South. Also known as ‘The Plantation Era,’ it was a time when slavery was rife in the southern states, and plantations forced African-Americans into slave labor in fruit and cotton fields.
As a result, an Antebellum party became a racist ‘dog whistle’ to people who embraced ‘woke’ culture. An Antebellum party is a celebration of the Antebellum-era and the Confederacy. So, it’s understandable how some people may think it has a racist connotation.
In hosting and attending these parties, attendees essentially fetishize and pay homage to the Confederate army and the racism of this era.
Example Usage
“Are you going to that Antebellum party on the weekend? The host is doing a throwback to the days of the Old South. Make sure you wear something that is representative of the time.”
“I don’t care if you’re a black person. There’s no reason for you to ever host an Antebellum party. That’s a symbol of hatred and pain for our people.”
“An Antebellum party is a big no-no around these parts. You’ll have people arguing with you all day, calling you a racist for celebrating the Old South.”
Origin
The expression “Antebellum party” originates from the ‘South Old’ party, a college event celebrating the ‘Plantation’ or ‘Antebellum’ era. This period in US history occurred from the late 18th century until the American Civil War in 1861.
Antebellum parties involved students dressing up in clothing from the era and attending events with a formal, southern, courteous theme. Rachael Kirkconnell, a contestant on the reality TV show ‘The Bachelor,’ came under fire in 2021 for posting images of her attending an ‘Antebellum party’ after winning the season with Matt James.
Her fans and haters claimed posting the photos on her Instagram was ‘racist,’ resulting in the woke mob canceling Kirkconnell for her alleged ‘racist’ actions.
Phrases Similar to Antebellum Party
- Racist dog whistle.
- Whites-only party.
Phrases Opposite to Antebellum Party
- Equal society.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Antebellum party.
Ways People May Say Antebellum Party Incorrectly
Some ‘woke’ people believe the phrase ‘antebellum party’ is a racist dog whistle. So, using the term online will likely result in people trying to cancel you for acting racist. While the phrase was used to describe parties with an old-south theme, nowadays, it describes parties where the attendees are almost exclusively white.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Antebellum Party
You can use the phrase ‘antebellum party’ when describing events surrounding celebrations of the ‘Old South’ or Confederacy. While it’s a part of American culture, it’s a celebration of days when enslaved people worked on plantations. As a result, ‘woke’ people find the term offensive, claiming it’s a racist dog whistle.
Using the phrase on social media will likely result in an army of angry woke people trying to cancel you for acting racist. Some people may use ‘antebellum party’ to describe a racist gathering of white people. It also suits occasions where black people wish to express that an engagement or event has few people of color in the crowd.