Monday, November 03, 2008 The single girl By Leticia Suarez-Orendain
A FEW years ago, there was more solemnity in graveyards on the day of visiting the dead (Nov. 1 and 2) than there is now.
There is revelry and commerce in places of the dead, much to the lament of those who hold on to tradition.
On the other hand, to a modernist, the merrymaking is a salutation to The Reaper: “We don’t fear you. We may die today or die tomorrow—it makes no difference. We’re all going to die.”
Perhaps this joyous exhibition answers the need to posthumously thank a departed loved one, or to honor someone we neglected in life, or to reaffirm allegiance to someone we cared for.
We will always remember the dead. We will always remember to say our thanks (Thanksgiving Day, although this is more of an American celebration).
We will always remember those who fought for us in a war we vaguely know or understand (Veterans Day).
But who remembers the single girl? Al Capp did.
Let’s rewind to 71 years ago in November when cartoonist Capp introduced a “day for unmarried women” in his comic strip, Li’l Abner.
He called it the Sadie Hawkins Day, a time when unattached girls were allowed to pursue unmarried men. In the comic strip, it was more of a physical exercise than a mental one.
Hekzebiah Hawkins, a leading citizen of Dogpatch Town, organized a footrace to snare a husband for his homely daughter Sadie. Like all fathers, he worried that his little lambkin will never find a mate.
It was a hilarious race, with Hawkins giving the bachelors a head start before letting Sadie go after them. Any man she caught had to marry her.
The idea pleased the other single girls in town and so Capp had them organize their own Sadie Hawkins Day race in Li’l Abner the following year.
It became a popular theme, so Capp continued to feature it every November in his comic strip.
Like wildfire, it caught on. Advertisers used it to promote their breakfast cereal (Cream Wheats). A Li’l Abner stamp was issued and Sadie Hawkins buttons began appearing as part of the growing pop culture. Schools held Sadie Hawkins Day dances to which girls invited boys. It was a fun reason to go on a date.
Today’s kids will wonder what the fuss is all about.
Take note that in the 1930s and 1940s, a girl of 25 was considered an old maid.
It was also a no-no for girls to come forward to ask a man out, even if it was for a cup of coffee. It was unethical for a girl to play pal with a boy in public, unless she was “a loose one” (a cheap girl).
Young people today think nothing of going out with the opposite sex and just be friends.
Back in those early days, marriage was the ultimate reason for a relationship.
Times have changed.
What made Capp’s feature remarkable is the fact that it empowered women to take charge of their romantic life regardless of what society dictated.
It taught women to organize their future without alienating the men.
Sadie Hawkins Day may no longer be celebrated, now that borders have been crossed (same sex marriages are slowly becoming popular) and sexual roles interchanged (women are the head of the family), but it will be remembered as a concern for the unattached girl.
In the days of chivalry, a girl needed protection and care. You wonder what a girl needs now.
