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Racially segregated prom in Georgia:
Here's a video from comedian Chris Rock back in the late 1990s when the Confederate Flag was still flying on the top of the SC Statehouse.
posted by Mr. Carlisle at 12:09 PM
25 Comments:
All of these posts were very interesting! First of all, I cannot believe that the University of Mississippi was allowed to have that mascot! The video on the segregated prom was crazy! It made me sad to hear that some of them could not even have prom with their best friends because of the segregated proms. I believe that it should definitely be fixed! If I were an African American going to that school in Georgia, I would feel insulted. In the Confederate flag video, it was interesting to see the different reactions and responses to various flags, and how some people did not even know what they were looking at.
3:55 PM
I can't believe that there is a high school in Georgia that has a segregated prom. That is just awful! Like it said in the video, if they go to school with each other and are friends with each other, then why can't they have a prom together. I wonder why that has not been changed. The Mississippi mascot was also disturbing! I think that it is a very good thing that they changed it! The other video about the confederate flag was really interesting too! It was really weird to hear people's view on the flag. There was one lady that even said that it should stay up, because it is a representation of family and pride. Now that is just insane. How could the confederate flag mean that?
4:09 PM
It's incredible to me how the first speaker in the segregated prom video was so passive! To actually say that having separate proms for blacks and whites is not prejudiced or racist? I can't believe that she honestly feels thinks that! She fits the "heritage not hate" description perfectly though, by saying that it, the prom, is just how it has always been done, that it's not spiteful (which by the very nature of segregation, it is). I also laughed harder than is merited about Ole Miss switching their mascot from a slaveowner to a BLACK bear. Oh god. Overall, I think the general acceptance of the various white people in these clips is off-putting. By that I mean the passiveness of them all; the idea that, no, no, a Confederate flag means family, and our prom is only segregated because it's what my parents did, and in no way is having a slaveowner mascot prejudice. Ah!
4:38 PM
It is sad to hear that any sort of segregation exists in America today, even if it is for one day. I feel so bad for the African Americans, the situation for them seems very degrading. It frustrates me that the people who defend such things do it claiming it's their heritage. I don't think the Ole Miss mascot was anywhere near the level of the other two, but it was interesting. The Confederate flag video was very interesting, I liked how he showed alternate flag options and asked people if those were okay.
4:55 PM
First of all, I understand the whole heritage thing, I mean it was a part of their past, fighting for something they truly believed in. I'm not saying that I agree with it, but I can understand. However, I do believe that putting the confederate flag up is completely disrespectful to the Union, not only to the Union but to African Americans and the level of disrepect surpasses any assertion that it needs to be up to represent their past and heritage. Beyond that, having the American flag next to the Confederate flag degrades the meaning of unity and the meaning of America.
5:02 PM
I think referring to what the first girl said to in the video by saying that the seperate proms are what they just always done and what they know isn't an excuse to do something pretty racist. Like they said they go to school with them every other day of the year prom shouldn't be any different.
5:24 PM
I bet it costs a lot of money to have two proms
6:14 PM
Regarding the segregated prom:
The idea of a segregated prom makes me feel ill. However, it is important to note that this is not something implemented by the school, but something which students have chosen year after year (it's also important to remember that this was in 2009. While I don't know about this school, there is another school in Georgia which no longer has segregated proms, which is a step in the right direction). As someone else mentioned, the first speaker in the video was VERY passive. To her, segregated proms were just how it was, not something that happened because of racism. While this may be misguided, I think that it is proof that if a group students were to simply say that they no longer want to have separate proms, people would follow. I also want to note, at the risk of being considered racist, that you cannot blame one group of people (such as whites) for this segregation. At this day and age, the only way such a practice could have survived for so long is through self-segregation, perpetuated by both white and black.
When it comes to the Mississippi mascot... I don't really see how it is considered offensive. While perhaps not the most tasteful mascot, I find the way in which a "rebel" is portrayed quite humorous. Perhaps that is because I don't see the man as a slaveholder, but rather as a symbol of the old Southern Aristocracy.
6:18 PM
Tabitha,
If one was a member of the planter aristocracy, one would most likely have owned slaves or be related to someone that owns slaves.
6:24 PM
Segregated Prom:
Regardless of whether it is school sponsored or not, it is deplorable that this even exists.
Ole Miss Mascot:
The Ole Miss mascot was horrible, and I'm glad they changed it. However, in my opinion, the Native American mascots are just as bad, if not worse.
Confederate Flag:
Heritage is the weakest excuse ever. The Confederate flag represents the very definition of being a traitor. It also represents white supremacy, as that was the main reason cited for why the Confederate States seceeded. Also, one woman says that it represents family. How can it represent family when it is a symbol of a war that literally tore hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of families apart?
Overall, I think that these prove that while great strides have been made, America is still not the country built on equality that some claim. True societal change needs to have the mindset of the public change, not just governmental policies.
6:49 PM
I can't believe that the University of Mississippi was allowed to have that mascot for such a long time due to its racist history during the civil war. I understand that the confederate flag is allowed to be up for heritage reasons, but I still believe it should be taken down due to all of the atrocities that happened in the south under the name of the Confederates. I believe that the segregation of prom is unbearable, and I cannot believe that some people actually stood up for it.
7:19 PM
Going off of what someone else said, I don't think the term "self-segregation" should be used. It's obvious that African Americans are not okay with the treatment, even though they do act passively. With the mentality that the people living there have (especially the adults) it's going to take more than just a few words from the students to obtain a desegregated prom. It's crazy to think that there are places where African Americans are still segregated. I'm apalled by how the parent in the video spoke as if it was not a big deal.
7:23 PM
Shannon,
Like it or not, people in this country do self-segregate. People choose to live in neighborhoods and worship in churches with people of a similar race. It just happens. I know for a fact that it happens at THS.
7:26 PM
Segregated Prom:
This idea makes me a little uncomfortable. I never knew that something like this existed. Even though I feel like this is very wrong, it's hard to argue. Though I think there's no way to see it as acceptable, others may disagree. Like they said in the video, it's just always been that way. At the same time, some kids are being affected by this. Not being able to go to one of the biggest nights of your high school career with your best friend is just.. I can't even put that into words. I feel like having something like a segregated prom is like encouraging separation between races. I see it as an encouragement of racism. It's basically teaching the kids that it's okay to be around people of different races, but it's not okay to spend big events with them. What is that teaching the next generation?
7:31 PM
On the subject of self segration:
Tabitha,
Are you saying that racism still exists due to self-segregation? I could be wrong, but I think that the average African American makes less money than his or hers American counterpart. I highly doubt that African Americans choose to make less. Racism does not still exist because of self-segration, it may add to it, but eradicating self-segragation would not relieve America of racism.
7:49 PM
The video about the segregated prom made me really sad! Not being able to go to prom with your best friend because they are a different race seems absolutely terrible to me.It is a weird thought that a city can still have such a thing after the country has been fighting against it for a long time. It needs to be something brought to attention.
8:14 PM
I'm very surprise actually..wasn't believe much when you said that they actually have a segarated proms in a high school in Georgia, but now I got to see it was the real deal I can't believe it really happen in these days.
9:19 PM
Mr. Carlisle-
I'm afraid that I worded my reply poorly, although I doubt clarifying it will change your mind. I do not think that the mascot glorifies slavery or racism, so I do not feel that it is inappropriate.
Brittnee-
I never said that self-segregation is the CAUSE of racism, but rather the PRODUCT. You're right- eliminating self-segregation would not end racism- if racism was eliminated, then self-segregation would fade away. Also, I would not equate unequal wages to segregation- those are completely topics. And I'm not just talking about African Americans and white people here... Most people naturally gravitate toward people that seem to be like them. This is apparent when you walk down the halls of school, as Mr. Carlisle said.
9:24 PM
Segregated Prom: It's crazy to think that this happens. It's even crazier to think that people could react so passively to this as if it's not a big deal.
Ole Miss Mascot: It's interesting to me that Colonel Reb survived for so long. I wonder how he was able to make it all the way to 2010. I do agree that it is racially insensitive to have Colonel Reb as the mascot because in my opinion, it is in bad taste to have the image of a plantation owner represent an entire school. I also find it ironic that Colonel Reb was replaced with a black bear.
Confederate Flag: It's interesting what the Confederate flag meant to them. When I think of the Confederacy I think of rebellion and racism, not pride, family and heritage. I also think that it's interesting how they think so highly of the Confederate flag but they still know that some of the other flags that were shown to them were offensive.
10:04 PM
When Chris Rock ask the African American man about the cracker flag I laughed so hard! "Put some cheese on top of that cracker!"
10:41 PM
I didn't know that was the Rebels mascot until today so thank you for that knowledge but sadly this isn't the last racist thing done by a SEC school. Charlie Strong was rejected an undisclosed SEC job because he was a black man married to a white woman.
"There was one particular school that he wouldn't name — it was an SEC school," says Bianchi. "After he interviewed for the job, he was told that he didn't get the job because he was a black man who had a white wife and they didn't think that would go over well in the South."
Thankfully Texas hired him and he is now at a dream job because he deserves it.
The segregated prom thing was interesting because all the white kids seemed to not care for the most part and cited "because that is how things are" as their reason for doing so. While the Black kids voiced their displeasure and wanted change. Hmmmm, seem familiar?
I find how the Confederate Flag was viewed very interesting. They viewed it as family and christian values. Personally when I used to play Call of Duty and someone had the Confederate Flag as their logo (you can create logos) I always got an uneasy feeling from seeing. It is a symbol of a country that committed treason against the United States and wanted to enslave Africans forever.
On the Chris Rock video, I found the Malcolm X flag hilariously clever.
12:09 AM
The high school in Georgia with the segregated prom is a big concern to me. I really have zero understanding on how some students think that "its not about color" yet they have their prom segregated. What about the students that are mixed and where do they fit in? Would I get to chose which prom I go to because ive been raised and surrounded by my white mother, or would I be limited to go to the black prom because my skin is slightly more pigmented then white students and some of them might think it would be weird for me to be there. This school pisses me off a little bit and im disappointed in the students mindset and ignorance. AND, I think Chris Rock is hilarious! ;)
9:24 PM
The segregated prom shows that there is still more work to do to achieve racial equality and it's unfortunate. Something equally unfortunate is that the people in these videos see nothing wrong with a segregated prom or flying the confederate flag. Also, I think that the team name "rebels" should be thrown out along with colonel reb. It's just hard to imagine how people could justify things like these. Even if the confederacy is part of a family's history, I don't understand how people don't realize that slavery and what the confederacy was fighting for, is a black mark on american history. I think chris rock has some good ideas on how to solve it! haha
9:54 PM
Ah! not sure how to edit comments, but no pun or offense intended by saying slavery was a "black mark" in american history. Oh dear.
9:56 PM
I guess it will always be hard to argue about something that someone has been fine with and has been taught to be fine with for so long. It bothers me that these random things happen and some people are just okay with it and don't care about what happened in the past. On the brighter side I wish they would have gone with AKBAR. And I loved the reactions to all of those flags.
11:45 PM
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