In Georgia, Segregation Endures on Prom Night

[^KK^ 3]

Continue what, Self segregation?

People do it all the time why would younger people be any exception.

Many organizations in a community are mostly made up of groups which are mostly the same race, sex, age group etc.

Are we going to march into Black AME churches and "shame" them into attending white congregations?

Are we going to break up a Bowling team because it is mostly chubby white guys?

Are we going to tell the garden club they need to recruit more men and perhaps Asians too?

Are we going to call Country bars and Latin dance clubs racist?

Why does no one bat an eye at all these groups where people are free to associate but if kids have a private prom we feel something must be terribly wrong?

Anyone who has worked on a prom committee knows, one of the biggest frictions can be planning a prom (especially music) which pleases everyone. Even picking the "theme song" can get one group or another pissed. If you put it too a vote, it's not fair to a minority voice.

It does seem odd to me that in this case here there are not more "cross over" attendance, as there are no shortage of interracial couples in every town..... and there are a certain number of white kids who really think they are "Black inside", why wouldn't they attend the Black prom?

and I am sure at least a few Black students who would rather attend the White prom too for whatever reason, so this "strict" segregation seems odd but by and large, people self-segregate all the time, not exclusively but from time to time.

It isn't self-segregation, most of the kids want an integrated prom. It is the parents who are insisting on continuing having separate proms.

I agree with you Scott. I don't think the issues is them having the prom it's that fact that the kids don't really care for separate proms. As noted in the article some black kids went to see the prom and their friends walk in with their prom dresses and suits. But was politely escorted out before it started...

Edited May 28, 2009 by KKHoliday

[Danno 1,228]

Continue what, Self segregation?

People do it all the time why would younger people be any exception.

Many organizations in a community are mostly made up of groups which are mostly the same race, sex, age group etc.

Are we going to march into Black AME churches and "shame" them into attending white congregations?

Are we going to break up a Bowling team because it is mostly chubby white guys?

Are we going to tell the garden club they need to recruit more men and perhaps Asians too?

Are we going to call Country bars and Latin dance clubs racist?

Why does no one bat an eye at all these groups where people are free to associate but if kids have a private prom we feel something must be terribly wrong?

Anyone who has worked on a prom committee knows, one of the biggest frictions can be planning a prom (especially music) which pleases everyone. Even picking the "theme song" can get one group or another pissed. If you put it too a vote, it's not fair to a minority voice.

It does seem odd to me that in this case here there are not more "cross over" attendance, as there are no shortage of interracial couples in every town..... and there are a certain number of white kids who really think they are "Black inside", why wouldn't they attend the Black prom?

and I am sure at least a few Black students who would rather attend the White prom too for whatever reason, so this "strict" segregation seems odd but by and large, people self-segregate all the time, not exclusively but from time to time.

It isn't self-segregation, most of the kids want an integrated prom. It is the parents who are insisting on continuing having separate proms.

I agree with you Scott. I don't think the issues is them having the prom it's that fact that the kids don't really care for separate proms. As noted in the article some black kids went to see the prom and their friends walk in with their prom dresses and suits. But was politely escorted out before it started...

I take it everyone (family friends) without a ticket/ reservation left as thats the custom at any like event.

[Marina-Del 10]

Wow, I'm from Georgia, but my small town is nothing like this. I'm from Athens though.

Anyway, I'm always so surprised when things like this come up. It seems like if the students really really wanted one prom they could make it happen. I guess we have decided that the school is not involved in any way (or it would be a matter for the courts to decide...that being said, I bet the school gives money to help the proms out and I doubt they give equally!) and that the proms are not occurring on school property. So, who pays for the proms? Do the white kids parents pay for their prom and the black kids parents pay for theirs?

Why don't all the students band together and have a prom in the streets if that's all they can afford with their own money? I don't know. I guess that is a far-fetched kinda romantic idea, but it seems to me that if they really wanted it, they could make it happen. And think of how many news crews they would attract if they refused to take their parents money for prom and did an integrated prom that they paid for themselves!

[Reba 2]

I betcha Kevin Bacon would help them all have an integrated prom!

[Danno 1,228]

And "TeleTubbies" might help out too!

[DEDixon 39]

Other of your co-workers ate people did they?

People self segregate usually because others make them feel that they have to.

LOL can't see the forest for the trees.