georgia plans white only prom

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-05-03 12:15pm

I have to agree with Wong here. The school almost certainly has legal recourse because this issue doubtless spilled over into its halls. And most juries or judges would be sympathetic to the situation anyway.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-05-03 01:00pm

Stormbringer wrote:The Boy Scouts engage in discrimination as well yet schools are allowed to support Troops same as before. Given the cost of the legal wrangling to a school, it's entirely understandable why they wouldn't. The case could easily wind up at the state supreme court level if not higher. Do you have any idea how much money that is? It'd be huge chunk of the school's budget. It wouldn't be worth it to go and lose; the precedents against such an action are pretty strong and recent.

That depends. If the school is public, it's clearly in the wrong by allowing these fuckwits to distribute fliers which advertise a segregationist prom. You can sure as Hell bet that the school would be cracking down if they wanted to distribute fliers for a kegger after prom.

Blaming the school for not doing something it can't do is a little silly. It sounds like the administration isn't exactly in favor of it but they can't do anything legally.

If they allowed public advertising for the event to occur within their halls, then they give the impression that they do, in fact, support it.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 02:13pm

That depends. If the school is public, it's clearly in the wrong by allowing these fuckwits to distribute fliers which advertise a segregationist prom. You can sure as Hell bet that the school would be cracking down if they wanted to distribute fliers for a kegger after prom.

I think it's wrong if it was allowed. The same way I think allowing school to support the equally discriminatory Boy Scouts of America to do it. The problem is what they can do legally, especially in an environment not likely to support them, is minimal. What needs to be changed is the schizophrenic law that allows such a double standard.

The private segrationist prom is legal (if immoral). A kegger for underaged kids isn't. Don't confuse apples with oranges.

If they allowed public advertising for the event to occur within their halls, then they give the impression that they do, in fact, support it.

True.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-05-03 02:50pm

Stormbringer wrote:I think it's wrong if it was allowed. The same way I think allowing school to support the equally discriminatory Boy Scouts of America to do it. The problem is what they can do legally, especially in an environment not likely to support them, is minimal. What needs to be changed is the schizophrenic law that allows such a double standard.

The private segrationist prom is legal (if immoral). A kegger for underaged kids isn't. Don't confuse apples with oranges.

Okay, let's modify the scenario a little then. What if someone distributed fliers promising everyone cigarettes and a good fuck? Those things are legal for the seniors in the class, yet you can be damn sure that the school would never allow such a thing to be advertised, even if ads said "seniors only." There are tons of perfectly legal activities I can think of that no school would ever allow to be advertised in their hallway. I guess that, in Georgia, segregationist get-togethers aren't one of them.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 03:07pm

Durandal wrote:Okay, let's modify the scenario a little then. What if someone distributed fliers promising everyone cigarettes and a good fuck? Those things are legal for the seniors in the class, yet you can be damn sure that the school would never allow such a thing to be advertised, even if ads said "seniors only." There are tons of perfectly legal activities I can think of that no school would ever allow to be advertised in their hallway. I guess that, in Georgia, segregationist get-togethers aren't one of them.

There is certainly a good deal of hypocrisy and schizophrenia to the policies. But that's because of the tangled web of law and precedents. You probably could get away with that depending on the school, others no. Legally, who knows.

The lack of clear cut legal policy on this is the big problem and I can see why those at the school are reluctant to step in.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-05-03 03:53pm

Stormbringer wrote:The lack of clear cut legal policy on this is the big problem and I can see why those at the school are reluctant to step in.

I have a much simpler explanation as to why they won't step in. Need I remind you that proms were officially segregated every year throughout the school's history until last year? Did they fire the whole faculty that year? Let's face it; THEY DON'T MIND THE IDEA ONE BIT. And I don't see why you're making excuses for them.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 10:21pm

Darth Wong wrote:I have a much simpler explanation as to why they won't step in. Need I remind you that proms were officially segregated every year throughout the school's history until last year? Did they fire the whole faculty that year? Let's face it; THEY DON'T MIND THE IDEA ONE BIT. And I don't see why you're making excuses for them.

They were not officially segregated until last year. They had no official prom since the 60's so how could they officially sanction one? And last year they had an intergrated prom. Read the article, jeez.

I'm saying it's ridiculous to expect legal action from the people that are against it. I find it disturbing that people haven't protested it on their own. But face it, there's damn little that can be done in coutroom, by the school or the students..

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 10:22pm

Until then, parents and students organized separate proms for whites and blacks after school officials stopped sponsoring dances, in part because they wanted to avoid problems arising from interracial dating.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-05-03 10:24pm

Stormbringer wrote:Until then, parents and students organized separate proms for whites and blacks after school officials stopped sponsoring dances, in part because they wanted to avoid problems arising from interracial dating.

Read the last sentence: "... avoid problems arising from interracial dating?" They didn't stop the proms because they had a problem with racism. They stopped the proms because they were racists!

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 10:30pm

Darth Wong wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:Until then, parents and students organized separate proms for whites and blacks after school officials stopped sponsoring dances, in part because they wanted to avoid problems arising from interracial dating.
Read the last sentence: "... avoid problems arising from interracial dating?" They didn't stop the proms because they had a problem with racism. They stopped the proms because they were racists!

Some of them yes. But part of the stems from the lawsuits and legal headaches imposed by interracial dating. They didn't endorse any position but rather than deal with the problem they avoided it. That's not racism, that's simply avoiding stepping into a minefield.

Why is it that every southerner is guilty until proven innocent with you?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-03 10:33pm

Every other school in Georgia has integrated dances without fear of lawsuits; why should this fear be confined to this particular school? I don't like the fact that this is in Georgia, but it appears that they're genuinely racist fucks.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 10:37pm

Durran Korr wrote:Every other school in Georgia has integrated dances without fear of lawsuits; why should this fear be confined to this particular school? I don't like the fact that this is in Georgia, but it appears that they're genuinely racist fucks.

Have you watched the news in the last decade? There have been lawsuits and protests a plenty from both sides of the issue. It's happened all over the south and even in some of the rural areas in the North.

I agree that some sure are racists (never claimed otherwise) but claiming that everyone is takes it too far. There are people opposed to this but they can't do much about a private group have an segregated prom. And using it to condemn everyone is absurd.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-03 10:39pm

Yes, but the point is that practically every school has integrated dances in spite of lawsuit issues. Why is this school that just happens to have been carrying out this sick tradition for years suddenly fearful of lawsuits?

Post by **Coyote** » 2003-05-03 10:40pm

Now, this brings me to wonder about such things as all-Black colleges and other institutions. As private orgnizations they have this right, and to the best of my knowledge no Black school has ever mandated that students cannot bring white, Hispanic, or "other ethnic" dates or friends to parties. But have they, and would the be in their rights?

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 10:41pm

Durran Korr wrote:Yes, but the point is that practically every school has integrated dances in spite of lawsuit issues. Why is this school that just happens to have been carrying out this sick tradition for years suddenly fearful of lawsuits?

Not all of them decided to hold dances so you know. Plenty of the cases simply resulted in no prom. The fact they chose to avoid the whole issue hardly makes them racists. Cowards perhaps but not racists.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-05-03 10:42pm

Stormbringer wrote:Some of them yes. But part of the stems from the lawsuits and legal headaches imposed by interracial dating. They didn't endorse any position but rather than deal with the problem they avoided it. That's not racism, that's simply avoiding stepping into a minefield.

What legal minefield is caused by interracial dating? Choose your answer carefully.

Why is it that every southerner is guilty until proven innocent with you?

Stop putting fucking words in my mouth. This particular batch has been proven guilty.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-03 10:43pm

Coyote wrote:Now, this brings me to wonder about such things as all-Black colleges and other institutions. As private orgnizations they have this right, and to the best of my knowledge no Black school has ever mandated that students cannot bring white, Hispanic, or "other ethnic" dates or friends to parties. But have they, and would the be in their rights?

Nope.

And private organizations certainly do not have the right to exclude based on race in America. Privately-owned businesses are not allowed to hire based on race, and that's essentially what private black colleges are, so it would follow that they can't either.

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2003-05-03 10:44pm

Durran Korr wrote:Yes, but the point is that practically every school has integrated dances in spite of lawsuit issues. Why is this school that just happens to have been carrying out this sick tradition for years suddenly fearful of lawsuits?

Also not that it's in a SMALL TOWN. Small town mentality fits here. True, they were racist in the 60's, so it has become a tradition/habit not to have school sponsored dances. Does that mean the school is racist now? Well, it's been integrated.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-03 10:48pm

It's a retarded, racist tradition, though. I agree that there is nothing to stop private individuals from having private dances (since they are not in service to the public, unlike a business) for whites only, but the school SHOULD be sponsoring integrated dances.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-05-03 10:50pm

Durran Korr wrote:It's a retarded, racist tradition, though. I agree that there is nothing to stop private individuals from having private dances (since they are not in service to the public, unlike a business) for whites only, but the school SHOULD be sponsoring integrated dances.

Yes, and harshly cracking down on anyone who would attempt to organize a racist dance. If I were the principal of a high school and I got wind of a whites-only dance, I would suspend the organizers immediately.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-03 10:50pm

What legal minefield is caused by interracial dating? Choose your answer carefully.

There have been lawsuits and protests from both sides. Both sides have managed drawn out lawsuits. Given how long those cases tend to go on and the publicity frenzy they generate it's not suprising they rather just duck the issue.

America, sweet land of litigation.

Stop putting fucking words in my mouth. This particular batch has been proven guilty.

Even the people not protesting? And what about the people that just want to stay out of any potential legal crossfire?

I'll agree that those sponsoring the segregated dance are racists. But declaring everyone else racist is silly.

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2003-05-03 10:52pm

Do you know anything about this community? There are lots of reasons they may not want to host dances. The school system could be independant and poor. So, they may not have the money to run a dance. THere are way too many variables open that could change your opinions.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-05-03 10:52pm

Stormbringer wrote:
What legal minefield is caused by interracial dating? Choose your answer carefully.
There have been lawsuits and protests from both sides. Both sides have managed drawn out lawsuits. Given how long those cases tend to go on and the publicity frenzy they generate it's not suprising they rather just duck the issue.

You're not answering the question. What possible basis for a lawsuit against the school would occur from a white person and a black person dating?

Stop putting fucking words in my mouth. This particular batch has been proven guilty.
Even the people not protesting? And what about the people that just want to stay out of any potential legal crossfire?

I'll agree that those sponsoring the segregated dance are racists. But declaring everyone else racist is silly.

If I were the principal, every student involved with the racist dance would be suspended or expelled.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-03 10:52pm

Darth Wong wrote:
Durran Korr wrote:It's a retarded, racist tradition, though. I agree that there is nothing to stop private individuals from having private dances (since they are not in service to the public, unlike a business) for whites only, but the school SHOULD be sponsoring integrated dances.
Yes, and harshly cracking down on anyone who would attempt to organize a racist dance. If I were the principal of a high school and I got wind of a whites-only dance, I would suspend the organizers immediately.

Hmm, I don't know if I would suspend them (legal hurdles), but I would call them into my office and give them the verbal lashing of their life.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-05-03 10:53pm

Kelly Antilles wrote:Do you know anything about this community? There are lots of reasons they may not want to host dances. The school system could be independant and poor. So, they may not have the money to run a dance. THere are way too many variables open that could change your opinions.

Did you even read the article? They ARE holding a dance. The problem is that a lot of white students want to hold a separate, whites-only dance, so they went ahead and organized one.