Incredibly, decades after the legal and official end of segregation, The New York Times reports that the practice of divided proms is alive and well in the American South. In states such as Georgia, it’s common practice for black and white students to attend separate proms. While officially open to all, the two separate nights are in reality divided along race lines, with best friends and classmates unable to attend the others’ prom – and when schools have attempted to organise truly integrated events in the recent past, white racist parents have organised their own ‘private’ proms in competition. Not only is the existence of these divided events appalling, but so also is the ‘it is how it is’ attitude from the spineless students, parents, staff and authorities unwilling to rise up against a racist system.

The New York Times, here. Via NYTimes on Twitter.

Posted Sunday, May 24th, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
Filed in community and social, human rights, politics

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