DISQUS

Malik Aziz · 6 months ago

Hmm, not a black and white issue I think (pun intended). I think the generation under us does not have as much of the inherent racism as past generations, BUT THAT SAID, racism (like most problems) begins with ignorance...

I'll check back later after I've thought this one out a little more.

The Fed · 6 months ago

Okay, I did some digging, and there are MANY things to point out here, and I am sure they will come out.

I hear - even on these emails - that BET, BlackPlanet, Minority scholarships, etc... "segregate" why is it bad when "whites" do it...

I think the point in this article that cancels all that is:
All students are welcome at the black prom, though generally few if any white students show up.

This goes right back to the fundamental difference between "Black Power" and "White Pride" (in general because we know there are extreme exceptions)

Blacks have always been inclusive...ANYONE can go to an HBCU (at the time of creation, we couldn't go to the white schools), ANYONE is eligible to join a black frat/sorority (we couldn't join the white ones), ANYONE can get certain NAACP scholarships, ALL races are shown on BET/JET/Ebony (we are still under represented on TV). And even at PROM, ALL races can come to the black prom, but only whites can come to the white prom.

That is - in my opinion - the fundamental difference. Even in our AA conversations, and the use of race in schools. They come from two VERY different places, and that should account for something. Race used to keep black people AWAY from whites, comes from a place of hate, and ugliness. Race used to give blacks something that the whites keep from them, comes from a place of need, and growth. (of course all this is in GENERAL) but it I feel it is very important when these conversations come up. Race isn't in a vacuum, and shouldn't be treated as such. They aren't used in the same way.

Ericca · 6 months ago

My initial reaction wasn't as outraged as I am now. I got to thinking why should there be any public school function that folks of color can't go to based solely on the color of their skin? I definitely think there are some parts of the country where this problem never went away. Unfortunately! AND it never ceases to amaze me that people don't believe they're racist when are continuously engaging in racist behavior. How can you, in one breath, say you have as many black friends as white ones, but in the next say that tradition prevents you from wanting to attend a dance with them? It sounds insane. And I feel like as long as you have parents to pass this foolishness on to their children the problem will always exist. I guess at the core of this issue I just don't feel like separate is usually equal. Someone usually gets the short end of the stick and it's usually the group with less power. Needless to say...I definitely think we should care!

Conway Ekpo · 6 months ago

I am most disappointed with the parents who passed this mess on to their kids in the first place. They are the ones who are continuing to perpetuate this nonsense to the kids who are mere pawns basically.

Furthermore, I don't find the "it's just tradition" argument persuasive at all. Sure, separate but equal WAS tradition. So was owning slaves. Those "traditions" are no longer traditions anymore, so don't hid behind a weak argument like "it's just tradition."

facebook-7815404 · 6 months ago

wtf? there is no way anyone can rationalize this past it being racism

Malik Aziz · 6 months ago

Alright Conway, you and the Fed hit my two main feelings: a) a major reason we have our own groups is because historically it was ILLEGAL for us to join theirs, and b) the tradition thing is BS because of point a.

I'm hesitant to jump on someone's 'right to do' whatever in their private lives, BUT like you implied, when you teach this behavior/attitude is acceptable at home, it's only logical they carry that attitude out into 'the real world' which is why will always have issues like this.

Conway Ekpo · 6 months ago

I guess there are 2 issues here.

1. people naturally hang out with their own. We don't seem to have a problem with that, in general.

2. people are being excluded from hanging out with those who are not their own. This is where we have a problem.


And what's up with the white parents who funded the competing all white prom against Morgan Freeman??? Really? Are we that prejudiced that we wouldn't take a FREE party?

The Fed · 6 months ago

Absolutely!

I can sit on the back of the bus all I want if I choose to.

But don't FORCE me to sit back there because you think I am inferior.

Again this goes back to the reasons behind certain things.

Naturally hanging out with people usually comes from a good place, but forcing them to stay away from each other doesn't.

Stank_0 · 6 months ago

I remember when I originally read this. I was stunned. Pure and simple. People are trying to be cute about this by have a non-school related prom so that way they can decide who and who cannot attend. If it's not racist then have a school prom....can't do that then the Negras have a constitutional right to be there then. If you don't want the non-white people there then knuckle up and just say so. Hiding behind tradition, etc. is weak.

I also get tired of BPs of having to be the inclusive ones. Eff the moral high ground!

This is a reason I'm very very uncomfortable in rural parts of this country, bass ackwards thinking.

I also think people are pushing for the wrong thing here. Force the school to have the prom as a school-related function.

Conway Ekpo · 6 months ago

Wes - I hear ya. But one thing that I found interesting in the article is that they said that whenever the school actually tried to throw an integrated prom it had very little attendance. To me, that suggests that the kids themselves are so conditioned with the "tradition" of segregation that even when you give them the option to have prom together it still seems too foreign of an idea.

Rusena B* · 6 months ago

Although some things have changed, some things never change! The fact there is still seperate proms' means that there hasn't been change concerning these kind of situations!! It's a really sad situation because that just lets one know that although age should be where you gain wisdom and more knowledge, instead one carries over the same mess from generation to generation! Tradition?!! Don't blame it on "Tradition"!
I feel that it should be up to the young people to decide whether or not they should come together as one and just have a good time! I feel that we as parents should instill in our children what's right from wrong! So that the children while growing to be adults, they will have a knowledge of what's right from what's just plain "Wrong"! (just my opinion!)

Conway Ekpo · 6 months ago

Good points. I'll add that when we become parents (or for those of us who already are) you really have to lead your kids by example. Kids are very observant. They pick up on not only what you say but what you don't say. So, for example, if the white kids growing up in the south hear their parents tell them it is ok to have black friends, but then their parents don't have black friends of their own, that sends a mixed message and as a result those kids may not feel comfortable bringing home a black friend, and vice versa with black parents.

hall monitor · 6 months ago

Check out http://detentionslip.org for an AWESOME video trying to end segregated proms!

Conway Ekpo · 6 months ago

thanks for the link.

kg · 6 months ago

Letters to the NY Times in response to the original article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/magazine/07le...

Conway Ekpo · 6 months ago

Good look on the update.

Chokolatus · 6 months ago

That is beyond disgusting.