Prom traditions

Can you imagine living in a country that still divides its students into black and white for formal occasions like dances and proms. Well, this isn't South Africa, or some plantation in some third world country, this still happens in some southern states in America. In fact, a school in Georgia still has a "tradition" of two separate dances for it's students, one for the "white folks" and one for "the black folks". Yes, it is hard to believe this tradition could have survived into this century. Now, I am all about tradition. That is how values and knowledge gets passed down from generation to generation, but some traditions are simply silly. For instance, we do not still use leaches, or ride in horse and buggies unless you are Amish of course, and you wouldn't be reading this anyway. This tradition is like going back in time a hundred years. In the Georgia case, it seems even more ridiculous because white students were allowed to attend the African American dance, but not one black student was allowed to go to the white prom, even with a white date. In fact, a group of black students attempted to attend the other dance just to see a friend participate in their senior walk, but were quickly and unceremoniously whisked aside and taken outside by white chaperons after a father and daughter dance was concluded. Even though most people agree that racism is not a problem between the students themselves, and there are even many bi-racial friendships at the school, the "tradition" continues and there are no plans to quit the dual prom system that has persisted for generations and combine them in the future. Students appear to want this. Black students have tried to go to the white prom, but school officials seem to be the ones holding back them from doing so. In a free country, the students sure aren't free to even be with their friends who just happen to be another color. This seems like a natural area for the civil rights groups to get involved in. How else will this tradition change? Maybe protests and rallies would get some action. And more importantly, economic protests in the form of boycotts would have to take place to put pressure on the powers that be to improve this situation. That seems to be the only way things get done these days. Hard to believe this could take place anywhere, but yes, it still is the way things still happen. If the students wanted this and no one was excluded, that would be one thing, but to force students to be divided along color lines just doesn't make sense. It would be like having one prom for the boys and one for the girls. Why shouldn't everybody be allowed to participate in a school activity that is for their benefit?If you are interested, read also about money and credit cards and cell phones and saving money