Georgia high school students organize first integrated prom

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

MACON, GA (WGXA/CNN/WALB) – Students at Wilcox County High School in south Georgia share classrooms and sports fields, but they don't share the same dances. Some students are aiming to change that.

"We're embarrassed, it's embarrassing, yeah it's kind of embarrassing," said a group of students who want to change the policy.

The group - Stephanie Sinnot, Mareshia Rucker, Quanesha Wallace and Keela Bloodworth - said they do everything together, except prom night.

"We are all friends, that's just kind of not right that we can't go to prom together," Sinnot said.

In a world full of color, Wilcox County High School still sees things in black and white. White and black students have different prom and homecoming dances.

"There's a white prom and then we have our integrated prom," said Bloodworth.

If any race other than Caucasian tries to attend the white prom, Bloodworth said they "would probably have the police come out there and escort them off the premises."

That was the case just last year as a biracial student was turned away by police.

It's been that way for as long as anyone can remember, and it doesn't stop at prom - homecoming is also segregated.

While still having two separate dances, the school decided to elect only one pair for king and queen for the first time this school year, and one of the integrated prom organizing students, Wallace, won.

"I felt like there had to be a change because for me to be a black person and the king to be a white person, I felt like, you know why can't we come together," Wallace asked.

But nothing changed. Wallace wasn't invited to the white homecoming. In fact, the king and queen took separate pictures for the school yearbook.

"When people around here are set in their ways, they are not too adamant to change," Rucker said.

Wilcox County High School does not have an official, school-sponsored prom, or even a stance on the issue. This means that the private proms sponsored by students, and their parents, are legal.

So the girls are taking matters into their own hands.

"If we don't change it, nobody else will," Bloodworth said.

They're organizing a prom for everyone to attend, but everyone is not fond of the idea.

"I actually put up posters for the integrated prom and we've had people ripping them down at the school," Bloodworth said.

The group will continue to fight for progress, even though there doesn't seem to be much motivation to change.

The senior class is raising money to pay for the integrated prom, without the help of school officials. It will be held April 27.

The students said the school offered a resolution to permit an integrated prom for all students to attend, but not stop the segregated, private dances.

http://www.cbsatlant...integrated-prom

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Wow.

Good for these kids.

Shame on this school.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

MACON, GA (WGXA/CNN/WALB) – Students at Wilcox County High School in south Georgia share classrooms and sports fields, but they don't share the same dances. Some students are aiming to change that.

"We're embarrassed, it's embarrassing, yeah it's kind of embarrassing," said a group of students who want to change the policy.

The group - Stephanie Sinnot, Mareshia Rucker, Quanesha Wallace and Keela Bloodworth - said they do everything together, except prom night.

"We are all friends, that's just kind of not right that we can't go to prom together," Sinnot said.

In a world full of color, Wilcox County High School still sees things in black and white. White and black students have different prom and homecoming dances.

"There's a white prom and then we have our integrated prom," said Bloodworth.

If any race other than Caucasian tries to attend the white prom, Bloodworth said they "would probably have the police come out there and escort them off the premises."

That was the case just last year as a biracial student was turned away by police.

It's been that way for as long as anyone can remember, and it doesn't stop at prom - homecoming is also segregated.

While still having two separate dances, the school decided to elect only one pair for king and queen for the first time this school year, and one of the integrated prom organizing students, Wallace, won.

"I felt like there had to be a change because for me to be a black person and the king to be a white person, I felt like, you know why can't we come together," Wallace asked.

But nothing changed. Wallace wasn't invited to the white homecoming. In fact, the king and queen took separate pictures for the school yearbook.

"When people around here are set in their ways, they are not too adamant to change," Rucker said.

Wilcox County High School does not have an official, school-sponsored prom, or even a stance on the issue. This means that the private proms sponsored by students, and their parents, are legal.

So the girls are taking matters into their own hands.

"If we don't change it, nobody else will," Bloodworth said.

They're organizing a prom for everyone to attend, but everyone is not fond of the idea.

"I actually put up posters for the integrated prom and we've had people ripping them down at the school," Bloodworth said.

The group will continue to fight for progress, even though there doesn't seem to be much motivation to change.

The senior class is raising money to pay for the integrated prom, without the help of school officials. It will be held April 27.

The students said the school offered a resolution to permit an integrated prom for all students to attend, but not stop the segregated, private dances.

http://www.cbsatlant...integrated-prom

I thought they did away with this back in 2009? But it's cool, pretty soon Danno or Gary will come in and say it's a "preference" that you can go to prom and be around those who look like you, or better yet, it's "pro choice".

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Don't forget to bring a gun to the prom!

[SMOKE 1,426]

segregated proms in 2013?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Don't forget to bring a gun to the prom!

And extra ammo. I don't want to use clip or magazine since doing so gets you called a ignorant moron.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

segregated proms in 2013?

My exact reaction. I had no idea this still happened. Ignorance is bliss.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

segregated proms in 2013?

Yes, racism is loud and proud in some areas of the south.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Yes, racism is loud and proud in some areas of the south.

I knew THAT. I just didn't know that segregation was still enforced ANYWHERE.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I knew THAT. I just didn't know that segregation was still enforced ANYWHERE.

Lol, that was for the folks who swear it doesn't exsist anymore. Did you hear about Mississippi? http://www.neontommy.com/news/2013/02/mississippi-ratifies-13th-amendment-response-movie-lincoln

[SMOKE 1,426]

Yes, racism is loud and proud in some areas of the south.

how is it even legal? doesn't the state have laws preventing segregation in schools? i guess a dance isn't considered a school event.?.?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

how is it even legal? doesn't the state have laws preventing segregation in schools? i guess a dance isn't considered a school event.?.?

Here's a quote from the article: Wilcox County High School does not have an official, school-sponsored prom, or even a stance on the issue. This means that the private proms sponsored by students, and their parents, are legal.

So there's a loophole that allows this to take place.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Here's a quote from the article: Wilcox County High School does not have an official, school-sponsored prom, or even a stance on the issue. This means that the private proms sponsored by students, and their parents, are legal.

So there's a loophole that allows this to take place.

Do they take place of school grounds?

[SMOKE 1,426]

Here's a quote from the article: Wilcox County High School does not have an official, school-sponsored prom, or even a stance on the issue. This means that the private proms sponsored by students, and their parents, are legal.

So there's a loophole that allows this to take place.

thats f'd up.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Do they take place of school grounds?

Most proms are held at a hotel or some type of hall, at least when I was in school. I know homecoming might be in the school gym, but if the parents and students are paying for it, they get to choose who comes and who can't.