Veiled Prophet: Symbol of wealth, power and, to some, racism
Since 1878, the Veiled Prophet has visited 狐狸视频, gracing the city's debutantes with a grand ball and parade.
The details have changed over the decades: the ball was once held in the fall, the parade used to be on the day of the party. But the prophet's identity is still kept a secret, and his presence still stirs controversy.
The organization was co-founded by former Confederate officer Alonzo Slayback. The ball met with protests in the 1970s and in recent years as well. It had to move from a city-owned auditorium over allegations of racism. The members of the organization didn't include any black men until 1979.聽
The prophet crowns a queen every year; their last names include Kemper, Busch, Danforth, Schnuck, Schlafly, Chouteau, Cabanne, Niedringhaus, Desloge and other historic 狐狸视频 families.
The Veiled Prophet Organization still holds a parade, and funds Fair 狐狸视频 to celebrate Independence Day.聽
— Compiled by Beth O'Malley, bomalley@post-dispatch.com; originally published in 2018