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UGH! This is UNBELIEVABLE!
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: Shalome
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/05/04/in...m.ap/index.html
This story that just made CNN news discusses how a high school in a small town in Georgia JUST THIS YEAR held its first integrated prom! Yes, that's right folks, up until 2002, this public school system got away with enforcing separate proms for blacks and whites.
This is disgusting. This is pathetic. This makes me so angry I don't even KNOW what to say. It astounds me that in this day and age that some people are still so backwards and ignorant. Good for those kids that decided they weren't going to put up with it anymore and demanded one prom for everyone.
*stomps off to glare angrily at the southern states*
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
I don't think it's fair to zoom in on the whole south as the problem..hehe, small towns are usually the problem. The isolation has kept them from modern ways of thinking and understanding.
And it's just not the south that has those towns. There's one in Indiana where you just don't want to be caught alone. Black or White. Inbreeding and low mental capacity are just some of a few of their problems.
Posted by: SKYHN
Hasnt segregation been against the law for like 60 years?!?!
Posted by: Shalome
Something like that, SKYHN.
Okay, Ion, you're right. I hereby recant my earlier condemnation of the southern states. How 'bout I just glare at ALL the ignorant idiots who do this kind of thing or think it's right?
Posted by: redwench
no sky. 45 years ago, they had to forcibly integrate school systems. were talking camoflage and guns. bussing didnt start until the 70s. real integration just happened in my lifetime.
and small isolated towns sometimes never really had to deal with the issue, because of simple physical separation. i think theres about 10 black/multi-racial students in 2 high schools that i work in. were talking 1000-1500 students. minorities might just not have been an issue until recently in that (vomits) lovely town.
Posted by: Shalome
It was a small school, Wench, but as the article states: The school has 420 students, 226 of them black.
I'd say the school was pretty well integrated. Over half the students were black. The school held separate social activities for black students and white students.
Posted by: redwench
well, it is the south. outside of the metropolitan areas, its just horrible. at least the bigots here tend to keep quiet.
Posted by: Tweaker
Too bad this issue never really goes away, no matter how it is disguised these days racial issues in the world today still exists. Bottom line, it's one world and we have to share it with everyone. Here it is 2002 and we are still looking at skin color, beats me how we have time to worry about the important things in life! 
Posted by: EOT(US)
My "roots" come from the "south" ... but my parents "always" taught us that we should "not" discriminate ..... as we taught "our" children, and our "grand children" are being taught the exact same thing!!!
This has infuriated me so much that I am going to send an email to the State of Georgia Superintendent of Schools ....
Mrs. Linda C. Schrenko
State Superintendent of Schools
Georgia Department of Education
2066 Twin Towers East
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-5001
Tel. (404) 656-2800
E-mail: state.superintendent@doe.k12.ga.us
Another related story about this .....
http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0503/p01s02-ussc.html
Edit: Btw ... be sure you read the last paragraph on this page ....
"The theme for the prom is, "Make It Last Forever." Yet all the attention over the affair has, in fact, put next year's prom in question. "The rumor now is that they may not do it again next year," says Ms. Robinson, the senior. "Friday's prom is a real test, to see if it'll work."
Taylor County High School's Website .... http://www.taylor.k12.ga.us/tchs.htm (several of the links on this site have been "de-activated"  *like the Principal's page* Wonder why?
And whoever, on this forum, that made the "stupid" remark, related to this, a few months ago should just "not read this thread"! This is AMERICA ... and this is just "not right"!!!
Posted by: Kdr Kane
I think you're taking it wrong. I heard this yesterday on the radio.
The student body has been "traditionally" creating two separate proms. They decided to pool their resources together and make one nice prom.
These people are not separating. They are integrating. Please don't act like this is something to be upset about. This is a good thing.
So, my question is this. If gays decided they wanted a separate prom from the main student body, would you get this excited over it? My guess is that you would probably think it is ok... I don't.
Posted by: Shalome
No, actually, I wouldn't think it was okay if gay students wanted a separate prom. I'm still upset over the fact that in 1996 at my senior prom, a gay couple and a lesbian couple were barred from attending. They were allowed to attend once they "switched" partners - gay guy, lesbian girl couples were apparently okay.
I'm happy the students decided they wanted to integrate their prom. They are obviously less ignorant than their elders in this case.
Posted by: EOT(US)
Kane,
Segregation is Segregation
Posted by: Fenix2004
 Quote:
Originally posted by Kdr Kane
So, my question is this. If gays decided they wanted a separate prom from the main student body, would you get this excited over it? My guess is that you would probably think it is ok... I don't.
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They did in another state last year I think
Posted by: Kdr Kane
OK. I'm going to go into something that I'm a little uncomfortable with. But, I'm going to be honest.
Being a white male in America can be a bit difficult at times. Especially, if you are open minded and not prejudiced against other types of people. Often, you cannot speak your mind because other people think you can't possibly understand their view.
That being said,
I have never seen any place in America where people didn't naturally congregate with people that are similar to them. I'm not saying that they don't mix, I'm just saying that even in unfamiliar environments, people congregate towards each other. I personally feel this is more true in minority communities.
How is a person like me supposed to react when a minority group decides they want to organize a group in school based on race or religion? Am I supposed to oppose it or support it? I would be ridiculed if I attempted something similiar.
In High School, there were several student organizations based on a minority race. If the black students want their own prom and prom queen, what the hell am I supposed to do? Say "no way!"? That wouldn't be very politically correct now, would it?
It happens every day all around you. It bothers me the way segregation continues. But, I'm doing my part. It's up to others to do their part. Unfortunately, many "victims" of discrimination don't accept the views of someone like me unless I'm a bleeding communist.
I am a liberal. But, not the defined version by conservatives and liberals. I'm not a socialist. I'm a liberal capitalist.
I hope you read all of this and tried to understand what I'm saying before getting upset at me. If I tell somebody that they must have a separate prom, I'm a racist. If I tell somebody they cannot have a separate prom, I'm a racist. So, I usually have to keep my mouth shut.
Posted by: Kdr Kane
hehe...
I got so busy ranting, I forgot my point.
People should be able to create their own groups and congregate as they wish. But, if the purpose of those groups become exclusionary to other people, then I have a problem with that.
In the case of these proms, I doubt they forced people to only stick with their own type. I think some people may have taken it that way. I think the students were beginning to find the two proms uncomfortable because they did have a mixture of people in both.
Posted by: EOT(US)
Ok, I am really going out on a limb here, but here goes! 
Kane, I understand what you are saying ..... but .... I just think a lot of our thinking is from what we were "taught" as children, right? wrong? I don't know ... but I simply expressed "my" feelings as they are. If it was the "student body" that made this decision .... somewhere along the lines their elders have missed the boat.
Part of your post above included .... "So, my question is this. If gays decided they wanted a separate prom from the main student body, would you get this excited over it? My guess is that you would probably think it is ok... I don't." .... and this is where I am "really" going out on my "limb".
We have a son that is gay. Do I approve? My answer is ... I don't understand the "life style" .... but that does not make me love him once ounce less than I love my other children. The only time that we were placed in a position that we did "not" approve .... was when he invited one of his "friends" to stay in our home, for an extended length of time. We did "not" approve and we let him, and his friend know it .... and did not mince words about it!
So .... I guess you can call me a bigot or bigot"ess" also .... but I guess it all boils down to what we can live with, and what "sometimes" we have to accept.
But in my statement above about "who ever made the post, regarding this subject, before" .... I still feel it was done in "bad taste".
Posted by: redwench
i understand kanes point, i think. when i was in high school, the african-american club had a spring dance every year. while they couldnt, of course, exclude caucasians, it was made clear that caucasians were NOT welcome in the club or at their events.
the "regular" prom was open to all juniors and seniors and thier dates. but few african americans attended.
the segregation was quite voluntary. as i age, i approve less and less of racial clubs. although, its a free country, you can associate (or not) with whomever you wish.
i think kane means the segregation was voluntary on the part of the students, not imposed from above by the school.
Posted by: Kdr Kane
Thanks. I think you understood me very well. And may have phrased it even better.
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
If they wanted to have their seperate prom, that sounds fine with me as long as it's not seperate because of a hate issue.
Really this don't sound like a racial issue at all. More of a cultural difference. The music alone is probably one reason. Country and Hip Hop would be weird if played at the same prom.
On a side note, when they were filming the old Planet of the Apes movie, when they would eat lunch, they noticed all the Gorillas would sit together at one table and the Orangtan's would be on another. People just tend to associate with other people that have similiar interests. Or more to the point, other people with whom they can blend in better with. It doesn't make it wrong until they display hate or bigotry to another group or culture.
Posted by: Swilo
Quote:
Originally posted by Ion Silverbolt
On a side note, when they were filming the old Planet of the Apes movie, when they would eat lunch, they noticed all the Gorillas would sit together at one table and the Orangtan's would be on another.
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That sounds like good material for a psychology paper.
Posted by: Heathen
The Britsh National Party (BNP) are an EXREME right wing group in England. They've just three seats on a town council for a major town in England (Burnley)
Click here for full story
It sad that people still judge of others by the colour of thier skin, lifestyle choice or just because they are different from... the norm!!
I have lots of gay friends... and I love them all. Likewise my two best friends are from South Africa and The Philipines originally. We have come up against racist/ignorant comments while out drinking or just shopping. I live in Medicine Hat, Alberta... a place that still thinks the South won the war!!!
Its unreal what people have to endure to live a normal peaceful life....
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
I don't even acknowledge people like that. I just pretend they don't exist. It's not like they're significant. The fact that they display such ignorance is an easy giveaway that they are too stupid to associate with anyway.
Posted by: Tweaker
Quote:
Originally posted by Ion Silverbolt
I don't even acknowledge people like that. I just pretend they don't exist. It's not like they're significant. The fact that they display such ignorance is an easy giveaway that they are too stupid to associate with anyway.
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I couldn't agree more!
Posted by: Heathen
Quote:
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I don't even acknowledge people like that. I just pretend they don't exist. It's not like they're significant. The fact that they display such ignorance is an easy giveaway that they are too stupid to associate with anyway.
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Well said...
Posted by: Null Actor
Shaggy, y is a vowel in that sentence. =)
Posted by: Heathen
hehehe - I just noticed that.
LOL - best change that then....
Posted by: Null Actor
Anyway, what I think is pathetic is this, the last line of the CNN article:
Quote:
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"This prom has been worth all the effort," Bentley said as couples inside the ballroom took to the dance floor Friday night. "Both races are mingling."
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Especially the last sentence.
Posted by: Fenix2004
Forgive me if I offend anyone but it seems that african americans can get away with racism while white people cant. Chew on this
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/in...illy/index.html
You hear it all the time in Rap music too
Posted by: Spider
All us crackers know it's true.
Posted by: Chako
Racism sucks...no matter who spews it. That is all I am going to say about it, other then to say that from personal experience...those who like to attack other for being different are themselves little straw men who are terribly insecure about themselves.
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
CNN is like the Jerry Springer show of the news world anymore.
And Y in not a vowel unless used in the middle of a word. :P
Posted by: Canis Lupus
In some states, especially here in California, "minorities" can always get away with racial segregation because they think they have a right to it. I mean, there is always a special occassion where only a specific race is honored here. It is truly sickening sometimes that I wonder if the double standards in racial discrimination is an intentional oversight to avoid any "trouble" with [insert race here].
Just by looking at some of the cable channels here, I'm prettu disgusted by it. I can understand "language-specific" programming, but "culture-specific" programming like the Black Entertainment Channel is just plain depressing. Note that I have nothing against the African American culture in general, but the segregation of programming is a little too blatant to ignore.
Not to mention they think Chris Rock making racial jokes against Caucasians is very funny. Put a Caucasian in that podium who makes racial jokes and you'll have a whole racial uprising. It's so sickening it's almost funny...
Posted by: TotalRecall
I agree with Laggy. What's with the counter-racism?
The funding and such programs for certain races are only making it harder to create a society where color and looks are only heritage.
Posted by: air_canada
I think that they should just be allowed to do whatever the heck they want. If groups form, fine. But if segregation is not forced is it really segregation?
You don't often see many very different people mixing together; it seems that a sense of belonging to the group, without any relation whatsoever to skin color, sexual orientation or any other factor is the main reason. Racism is one of the worst things someone can practice (what term can I use?) because often, the rejection or separation is completely unfounded. People are afraid of what they don't know. But sometimes people choose to separate from the rest of the community, which will bring down the image of the well-meaning people around them. People who don't know the details tend to have a prejudice, thinking that these people are racists.
We are all different, but we are all the same.
Posted by: Canis Lupus
Segregation does not have to be forced to be deemed as such. Sometimes it's a conscious decision, and often it is an unconscious practice that seems normal to some people.
Paralleling the cliche "birds of a feather fly together," there is nothing wrong with people of same interests to band together or share camaraderie with people whose cultures are the same. But taking it literally to include skin color, sexual orientation, etc. is where it draws a gray area.
Groups of people sharing the same values and interests is normal. But to consciously group together with people who you know share physical similarities with you, regardless of interest, culture or background, is the flip-side of it.
I guess it's how the world works. You can never really achieve a perfect world of equality if free will was going to be the basis.
Posted by: air_canada
It does have to be forced to be deemed as such, maybe. But if you are forming your own groups, segregation is present but not necessarily offensive or bad. Maybe interests and values have a certain relation to other physical or otherwise factors. I don't want to cause an uproar, but I am just putting theories forth.
It may seem normal, but people feel comfortable with what they know. The thing you know best is yourself, so you will look for the closest thing to yourself. Perhaps this is the reason why young children do not associate as much with persons of the opposite sex.
I think that you should find people who will listen to you and be a true companion. There is no purpose in hanging with people who don't give a darn about you or your life. You become saddened and this may lead to worse things.
Well, we've started a psych session.
Posted by: Spork Lover
What we have here is a failure to communicate..... (cool hand luke)
The Government cant force people to integrate... they can just take segregation laws off the books.
Has the seperate but equal law been struck down? If I remember correctly when schools started to integrate they integrated not because segregation became illegal, but because the seprate but equal law was violated. That was the law that stated schools can be seperate as long as everyone had the same stuff...good text books, good facilities...stuff like that. Im sure it has....
But anyway it seems to me that its these groups segregating themselves...
isnt our non melting pot mosaic country awesome ? ...
Posted by: tkron
Yes. personally I think both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts should be put out of business for segregation
see the Girl scouts will not let boy enter
and
the Boy Scouts will not let Girls enter 
blatant segregation, if you ask me
Posted by: air_canada
Yes. Who wouldn't love those great little girl uniforms
Posted by: redwench
spork, the separate but equal laws were ruled unconstitutional. that was what forced integration.
Posted by: Chako
Segregation, wether it is voluntary or involuntary is distasteful to me. Because people like to
associate with a known factor, it allows all sorts of ignorance and crass notions to breed.
For instance, the KKK, those white sheeted idiots voluntarily segregate themselves from
blacks....ergo...what they do must be alright right? How about those quasi cult groups that
operate on pyramid scheme. I guess they are ok, because nobody is forcing them to band
together. Likewise, areas where ethnic/cultural groups band together. Have you ever been to a
China town, or any ethnic related town? Well, I guess these are good things because they chose
to live together. Sounds good until you just happen to be in such areas...and you don't fit in. Then
you know the true meaning of racial intolerances, either by majority or minority groups towards
others that don't fit in. These cultural regions are dangerous to outsiders. But I guess this is all ok
because nobody forced these people to live together, and because of that..self imposed
segregation is GOOD!.
Well, it is human nature to form bands or groups with like interest. Often times, these interests
are usually based on cultural bondage. Don't get me wrong, I like cultural things and enjoy the
richness and variety that such aspects can lend to a place. However, there are negative impacts
that result. Racism and dislike/hatred are fostered and encouraged in these monocultural
societies.
Yes, our Government has a hand in all of this also, as with the Media. It is politically correct to
not make fun of minorities, and yet, on the flip side of the coin, it is ok for minorities to make fun
of majority groups. The government even goes so far as to protect the minorities rights above all
else. Here in Canada, we have aboriginal people who have coveted rights that frankly all
Canadians would love to have or see abolished. This creates a dual tiered system. Another
indicator of this is the Catholic school boards that get Govt funding (higher percentage then
public I might add) espousing religion. In my views, such things should be left up to private
schools and not to tax paying school systems. Why not have other schools for other religions.
When will this sort of segregation end? Big questions with no definition in sight.
I have also wondered why many minority cultures believe that they are special (on the flip side, we can include majority groups for that matter ). Take for instance
the Quebec view of separation. Quebecker think that because they speak French, they are
something special and above all others. They feel that because they are different, they have the
right to separate and rule themselves. Well what the hey, I speak French, and am of french
Canadian stock...but do I feel special...hell no.
Or the whole notion that blacks in the US are special because of that slavery issue. Yes, I have
seen them wallow in slavery issues and the sense of self imposed guilt on the majority of
European American Descendants. Blacks in the US seem to think that because many of them are
decedents of slaves, that the US should pay ad infinitum over it. Well it does make a good guilt
argument doesn’t it? And yet, many blacks love to wallow in it. It seems to give them power and
cohesiveness. Yes, there are many equality issues to deal with, even today. I feel certain, and
after reading that article in this thread, that the South is still backwards in certain regards. But I
loose any respect for a Negro who wipes this argument out and beats others over the head with it.
Many will say that you as a white person, cannot possibly understand them...because of the
slavery label that has somehow scared theme forever. Yeah right...and I only singled blacks out
because from up here, it seems like they have a good thing going, just as much as the French
have in Canada, as well as many minority groups with strong lobby groups, activist, and
advocacies.
Guess who the Government listens to, guess who is in their face over issues, guess who is putting
one on everyone.
I think a good utopian foundation would be based on an equal society. A society where everyone
has equal chance to employment based on education (and to be payed the same rate....notice how
women get payed less...what a strange notions). Where everyone has equal education, where
everyone has equal chance to housing and the ability to live where you want to. (Yes, this can
quickly degenerate into dull, suffocating status quo that would suck the life out of well...life, if
taken to extremes).
But this is a pipe dream. Why? Because even the minorities are bigots. They don't give up their
place at the racist ignorance plate to feed along side all other groups, be it
minority or majority. This is human nature. With all our smarts...many still can’t see beyond
differences. Hurray for the human race!
Ok for bonus points...who can spot the sarcasm
Posted by: EOT(US)
"Ok for bonus points...who can spot the sarcasm " spoken like a "true teacher"! hehe
Posted by: redwench
no one said it was good chako. i merely said that they had a right to do it, at least in this country. you have a right to smoke, drink, have sex with anything that resembles a human, eat what you wish, and associate with whom you wish.
fully integrated neighborhoods are great. but i certainly dont want anyone telling me i must live in a certain location. i chose my house based on a number of factors, but since i never saw anyone that lived out here, race wasnt one of them. i didnt even know the race of the sellers until i went to the closing to sign
Posted by: air_canada
Say, Chako, I'm also of French Canadian origin, 100% Quebecer and proud of it. But I'm also proud of my Canadian origin. People want to recede from Canada; so Canada starts making a whole bunch of laws to make life harder for us. Also, the Quebec govt. has no respect for English-speaking communities. I don't know if you've heard of Bill 101, which is a French language preservation law which forbids many things for us. For instance, signs must have a larger French heading than an English one.
Posted by: Chako
well I am 100% Canadian and proud of it.
See the problem, and one of my major pet peevs. I am also 100% French, but I don't think that is
all that important..it most certainly comes below being Canadian. Oh, and I am not attacking
Quebeckers, I have way too many relatives who think just like me living in Quebec to know that
100% of Quebec does not likes to cause problems...my beef is with Quebecs Provincial
Government...and the people who support them.
Canada didn't make a whole bunch of laws to prevent Quebec from separating. A peaceful
separation only exist when both sides are equitable. What did Quebec think...that they could
break up the country without a fight? Lucky for them the army wasn't sent down there like it was
during the 60s. Besides..who would get what? Only Quebec was delirious if they thought that
Quebec would survive the process whole. Lets see, the Natives from N Quebec would have taken
their large portion and stayed with Canada. What about the access to the St Lawrence seaway.
What about coinage? Why would we allow Quebec to use the same money? What about the
armed forces, or all the Federal buildings...what about....see my point? It would be an end to
Canadian stability....and don't think the US would have allowed Quebec to move its merry
way..open uncertainty on its northern border etc..They may not have much to say, but they could
impose trade sanctions that would have torn Quebec apart. (yes, the US did threaten Quebec with
this same exact move during the last referendum).
Only in Canada could things have progressed so far without any conflict. Another reason not to
break it up..such tolerances are rare in this world.
Guess how fast the Americans would have sent in the troops if one of their States wanted to
break up....I would imagine quick indeed.
Posted by: Null Actor
Quote:
Originally posted by air_canada
People want to recede from Canada; so Canada starts making a whole bunch of laws to make life harder for us.
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Oh? What laws would those be?
And BTW, over half of quebec DIDN'T want to separate. Referendums my friend, that is what they are for.
Posted by: Spider
Those damn boxes are back.
Posted by: Chako
Is that all you can talk about...boxes?
Hey, I even typed this in my WP and pasted it here just to annoy you
Posted by: air_canada
OK, OK. But like contest laws 'open to everywhere except Quebec'
I am completely against separating because all it will cause is problems.
Posted by: Chako
Contest laws are not Federal, those fall under Provincial jurisdictions.
Posted by: air_canada
Umm yeah, but postal services are federal.
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