# White only prom **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 1, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443 "2003-05-01T18:53:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/101 "2003-05-02T18:29:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by XJETGIRLX \* > \*\*On another note, why do they insist on calling the other prom the ‘black’ prom, when it states elsewhere in the article that the other prom is open to anyone? \*\* Stormy: “White Debbie? Why would I call her that?” ---
**Author:** ![carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrot)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/102 "2003-05-02T18:34:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jeff Olsen \* > \*\*I personally know some white kids up in the Boston area and they listen to guys like Sisqo. \*\* …which just goes to show that bad taste knows no racial boundaries. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/103 "2003-05-02T20:07:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sulamith \* > … Oh, and Zenster, about your comment on my Dad, that was his early view on the situation, and the argument I got from him being the oldest child. He thought he was trying to make us understand their side of it. The situation continued to deteriorate as resentments grew in Dooly Co. over what the Black Community viewed as “too much white involvement” in “their” school system through the 80’s and into the 90’s. My Dad fought a losing battle for equality and tolerance on both sides but arguments fell on deaf ears. Him being the only white member of the Board made him a target by the black members. They wanted him off the board, so of course they accused him of racism. Priceless! One of the few members of the white community who is actually trying to work to make things better for everyone is a racist in their eyes … **sulamith** , I wasn’t attempting to dis your Dad so much as point out the hypocrisy of reverse discrimination. I really appreciate your on-the-spot input to this thread. Bigots come in all shapes, sizes **and** colors. Racism is never justified no matter who is spouting it, be they black, white or purple with pink polka dots. I grew up in Walnut Creek, a completely Wonder bread suburb of the San Francisco bay area. A young boy named Forrest came to our school while I was in second grade. He was the son of a black ball player on the SF Giants team. He lasted a few weeks, the same goes for a Philippine family too. I was too young to understand what was happening but I still remember it. Fortunately, even when I was a child, I spent a lot of time in Berkeley and was exposed to people of all nationalities. It’s really sad that your Father’s good efforts went so much for naught. The glee your Father’s death was met with is disgusting beyond words. You should be quite proud of him and his legacy. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/104 "2003-05-02T21:03:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by appletreats \* > \*\*Unless I’m missing something, the article never states that there is a white class president position, and a black class president position. Perhaps they are both co-presidents. That’s how my school does it. And, seeing how half about half the class is black and half is white, it doesn’t seem all that odd that they would have one white and one black president. \*\* My point is -and bear in mind that my view on this might be completely different from yours, or the average American’s, for that matter- is that having _two_ class presidents, one for each race, just perpetuates feelings of segregation. Yeah, it was probably done out of PC-ness, but it isn’t helping. Then again, over here we don’t even have class presidents, so what do I know. But it just sounds stupid: pick the best candidate, not the best in each colour group. That’s just silly. ---
**Author:** ![RexDart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@RexDart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RexDart)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/105 "2003-05-02T22:23:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eonwe \* > \*\* Being at a party with friends is more important than standing up to blatant hatred and racism. \*\* Yes. Yes it is. When you’re 17 years old, that’s probably true for the majority of people. To expect otherwise would be unfair to the kids. Very few people really want to sacrifice their own friendships, comfort, and convenience to make a point about a cause. Honestly, I don’t think we should look at people as if they were obligated to do that. Most of us have lives to live, personal concerns, and don’t want to be bothered by this notion of “changing the world.” Some of the kid’s best friends were going only to the white prom and not to the mixed prom, so if he wants to be like a normal high schooler and hang out with his friends on prom night that means he’s going to both the white prom and the mixed prom. I see nothing wrong with that. He expressed some disagreement with the segregated proms to a newspaper, that goes above and beyond what he was even required to do. It’s not his idea, it’s just the world he lives in. Let a kid have a normal prom night, ok? ---
**Author:** ![sulamith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@sulamith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sulamith)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/106 "2003-05-02T23:54:55Z")
Zenster, thanks very much, and I am proud. He did the right thing, and he taught his children by example. Rexdart, you are so right! When you are 17, you might have parents who want to change the world, and make a big social statement, but you just want to have a good time with your friends. At that age, parties and peer groups are your whole world. 17 year-olds aren’t capable of thinking much beyond that. Sometimes seeds that your parents plant in your youth may seem to fall on barren ground, but eventually, they’ll take root, whether they be good or bad. Your parents might teach you to hate anybody that isn’t like you. Yes, in this area of South Georgia there is alot of hate still being planted in the minds of the youth, but a few will rise above it all, somehow. If they’re smart, they’ll move away, far away. You know, of all the people that graduated with me, only a handful, both black and white, have College degrees. Funny, we all left, never to return. It seems anyone with sense enough to see what is going on will high-tail it outta there for greener pastures. All of my family is gone now, we couldn’t take it anymore. The rest of them, no matter their color, just stay behind perpetuating stereotypes and breed more of their kind. What can I say? It’s wrong and sad, and a big ol’ mess. ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/107 "2003-05-03T00:08:03Z")
**Coldfire** , I think you missed my point. What I’m trying to say is that maybe the fact that one class president is white and the other black is due solely to the fact that the school is about evenly divided between the races, not because that’s the rule. At least, that’s how I interpreted the article. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/108 "2003-05-03T00:12:06Z")
Well, still: I think it’s nonsense. If a class president has to be chosen, there has to be one. Whatever colour he or she might have, I couldn’t care less about. ---
**Author:** ![Creative\_Munster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Creative\_Munster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creative_Munster)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/109 "2003-05-03T00:20:43Z")
You don’t realize how often the term “racism” gets thrown around in this country. The word has pretty much lost most of its meaning because it’s used so damned often. ---
**Author:** ![pantom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/34f0e0/32.png) [@pantom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantom)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/110 "2003-05-03T00:24:36Z")
> [@](#): > > You know, of all the people that graduated with me, only a handful, both black and white, have College degrees. This is truly tragic. I graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, and well above 90% of us got college degrees. It was a selective high school, admittedly, but that record is just shameful. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/111 "2003-05-03T13:42:08Z")
I wonder if, ten years from now, these people will want to hold a white class reunion and a black class reunion. You know, because we can’t let the white kids see that some of the black kids turned out to be more successful. And once those black boys see how beautiful those white girls turned out, they might jump them, right then and there! The whole shebang would be riotous, in the literal sense of the word! Many of us forget that Georgia is the state where many people are crying because former Gov. Roy Barnes got rid of their precious Confederate flag. Many people–probably more than quite a few from Taylor County–voted for Sonny Perdue solely because he promised them the return of the old flag. He rallied them with the catchy campaign slogan “Fergit, hell!” This whole segregation thing is a testament to how hard it is to bring these people into modern times. I don’t feel sorry for the black kids in this situation. Chances are their party will be better. Better music, better food, with a better turnout. And hopefully most of the white students will sense the superiority of the integrated prom and take the high road. But even if they don’t, fuck them. For most of the segregators, a whites-only prom will probably be the highlight of their sad, boring lives anyway. I say let them have this one little thing so they can stop whining about the loss of their heritage and culture. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Sherbet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@Mr\_Sherbet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Sherbet)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/112 "2003-05-03T14:01:33Z")
this stuff has always been around. However from my point of view its mostly black this and black that… ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/113 "2003-05-03T14:10:22Z")
> [@](#): > > However from my point of view its mostly black this and black that… Can you name ONE “black” event that bars non-blacks from attending? If not, you can join **Brutus** by shutting the fuck up. If the white students at Taylor High School formed 15% or less of the student body, and they were tired of being the outcasts in their own school (as in **sulamith’s** case), perhaps we could understand why they would want to have a special, separate function. But no. These are people who just want to have something that harkens back to the olden days. They want to live their granddaddies’ wet dreams. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/114 "2003-05-03T14:24:12Z")
What if a group of jocks and cheerleaders decided to have a _private_ party on prom night and invite only their jock/cheerleader friends? Would your collective undies be in a bunch then? If not, why not? ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/115 "2003-05-03T14:37:29Z")
Because being a jock/cheerleader involves choosing to join a group and then actively participating in the same activity as everyone else in the group, so they would all presumably know each other. This active participation is what forms the relationship all the attendees at the party share with each other. This also applies to drama club, band, math team, etc. Being black or white is neither active nor a chosen activity. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/116 "2003-05-03T14:40:14Z")
milroyj: Because chances are it would be called a “party”, not a “prom”. Chances are it would not be held fifty miles from, and during the same time as, the “everyone else” prom. Lastly, cheerleaders/jocks are a self-selected group. Presumably because they do activities together and share memories and all know each other, it would be a party of friends. A prom for white students only is not a party of friends. It’s a party of people with pale skin. And it _would_ be inappropriate if this country had a long, ugly history of cheerleaders/jocks discriminating everyone else, and we had successfully put a symbolic end to all of that by doing away with divisive traditions like separate proms. Please find another analogy. That one isn’t very impressive. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/117 "2003-05-03T15:02:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monstro \* > **Lastly, cheerleaders/jocks are a self-selected group. Presumably because they do activities together and share memories and all know each other, it would be a party of friends. A prom for white students only is not a party of friends. It’s a party of people with pale skin.** The kids attending the so-called “white prom” are also a self-selected group of friends, who, having gone to school together for as long as twelve of their eighteen years, do activities together and share memories and all know each other. This is a **private** party, so those who attend actually want to be there. What is wrong with that? The fact that they’re white seems to be your only issue. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/118 "2003-05-03T15:13:58Z")
**milroyj** , if it’s a private party, they should invite their friends, not half the student body. I find it hard to believe that the people putting on this “private party” are friends with ALL the white kids, and NONE of the black kids. I’m sure other kids are throwing their own private shendigs, before, after, or during the regular prom. And I bet none of them are calling their affairs “proms”, a word that suggests that it’s a school function rather than a private get-together. > [@](#): > > The fact that they’re white seems to be your only issue. No, the fact that they aren’t allowing non-white classmates to attend is my issue. I would be just as bothered if these were black kids and they weren’t allowing whites to attend. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Sherbet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@Mr\_Sherbet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Sherbet)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/119 "2003-05-03T15:46:13Z")
monstro im talking about things like Black Entertainment Television, and Black Miss America and stuff. I dont really care as long as no one would mind if white people were free to have the same things. Just seems odd thats all. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443/120 "2003-05-03T16:11:48Z")
**Mr Sherbet** , you can’t sit there and tell me that white people are a minority on television, and that there is a need for a WET when 99% of the television programming is “white”. The only black person regularly featured on TNN is Jordi on Star Trek. The only black person I see on Lifetime is Lorraine Touissant, when Any Day Now comes on in the middle of the night. Believe it or not, white people are not banned from BET. I see some every time I turn on the channel, and I don’t do it very often. And as far as Miss Black America goes, white people aren’t banned from that either. But even if they were, there are a million other options available to them if they want to enter a beauty pageant. So you will have to do better than “Black Entertainment Television, and Black Miss America and stuff”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-only-prom/172443.md?page=7)