School Has First Integrated Prom in 2008!!!

On the Web

by Lamar Tyler | on July 20th, 2009 | 8 comments

A Mississippi school just had it’s first integrated prom last year in 2008!!! The integrated prom was paid in full by actor Morgan Freeman and HBO documented the events for an upcoming documentary. Video of Cambell Brown interviewing students of the school.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

Add a comment

Comments (8)

Political Pete Monday - 20 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Yeah man, I'm in Alabama and in certain cities, you would marvel at what is considered "diversity" or progress. I think it's good that this is getting coverage. Folks can see that a lot of pocket of America has a looong way to go... and folks were surprised by the Jena 6...
T. Carter Monday - 20 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Is this for real...I can't believe that in this is still an issue...Wow.
Political Pete Monday - 20 / 07 / 2009 Reply

"What words, be specific..." "A nigger is not going to be grinding on my daughter . . . " In 2002, there was a vote on whether we should remove the outdated language in our constitution that said white and black's can't get married and it was illegal. It only passed by 51-49%
Harriet Monday - 20 / 07 / 2009 Reply

This is not a huge surprise to me, unfortunately. I grew up going to Department of Defense schools, where you could taste the rainbow on any given day. From Samoa to Puerto Rico; from Germany to the streets of Chicago, it didn't matter where you were from. We were going to have a good time. I hate the fact that my reality wasn't a reality for so many others. It's a shame how much we miss out on the depth of American culture by giving in to these archaic attitudes. Harriets last blog post..Acorn to Oak Tree...I want to be a Legacy!
Political Pete Monday - 20 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Yeah the comment is loaded with vestiges of a post-jim crow era south. No government actions, law, or bill can fix the implicit mindset of some folk' down here from the genesis of slavery. Putting the words into context, this is the same place where Emmett Till was killed for whistling at a white woman. All of this is terribly nostalgic of the "protect our white women from black boys" rhetoric. The irony is killing me.
Anna Monday - 20 / 07 / 2009 Reply

"Better Late Than Never". Some of these kids have probably given their parents a "biracial" grandchild. My grandmother migrated from down south many moons ago. She wanted her son (my dad) to be able to whistle at all the women(not just the white ones) without being killed. This goes to show how slowly we have progressed. It's a shame. These kids were able to attend the same school but not able to have something as simple as a school dance with each other. How is anyone able to bring diversity when in their mind set it was not right for kids to mingle after school hours together?
Political Pete Monday - 20 / 07 / 2009 Reply

Yeah it's a trip Anna. Watching TV can give folks a false view of America. (which can be good...hey folks seeing the Cosby on television had immense psychological benefits--even if they were marginal). I work as an Attorney in Alabama and the irony of the Sonia Sotomayor hearings or the outrage of Don Imus is remarkable to me. We have judges in the 11th circuit WHO ARE STILL ON THE BENCH that have called clients "nigger" on the record and received nothing but a verbal admonishment from the courts. There have been more egregious statements on the record of elected and appointed officials that are far more questionable. These pre-civil rights judges are still elected and on the bench, just as "conservative (code word)" as they were before. Hey, I like to always say, no one is born a killer. Likewise, no one is born a racist, homophobic, or with any predetermined views. Our culture determines our environment -- The fact that this is in "the Sipp," my neighboring state does not surprise me. The funny thing is diversity is only a black and white thing in most cities here . . . we haven't began to really explore ideological diversity . . . which, IMHO, is more beneficial
Tim Wednesday - 22 / 07 / 2009 Reply

I am a white male and I must say that it saddens me that we still have not moved beyond bigotry and racism in this country. Yes, it is true that we now have a black president, but we obviously still have a ways to go before there is truly equality among races in the U.S. I hope that I live to see real equality one day.....