Which America Do You Know?

Don’t know if everyone has been keeping up with this, but…For the first time in this Georgia  school’s history, black and white students attended the prom together over the weekend.  SMH …

The integrated prom was from the work of four students at Wilcox County High School in Rochelle – two black, two white.

Apparently for decades, students attended two proms — one for white and one for black students.  Recently, students lobbied to end the separate proms, but the school refused to act because the proms were organized by students and parents, not the staff.

Let me pause. This story is definitely on the crazy end of the spectrum.  But just as quickly as my outrage rose, it’s dropped. 

Without getting too high on my soapbox, I want to comment on this story because it seems so absurd from some of the stories we’re used to hearing about.  I know we all like to say we’re astonished that this is still happening in America of all places, but honestly this is the America that I know.  I’m not sure where the “we’re all equal” America is located on the globe.  Perhaps it’s because of the stories that the media chooses to publish.  However, I’ve never visited that place –  and yes I was born and raised in the states. Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe the U.S. is the best country in the world for a plethora of great reasons.  I believe we’ve evolved into a place that’s more socially tolerable and where instances like this are becoming more rare.  However, they exist way more than mainstream media is made aware of.   And I don’t say that from a malice place. It’s just a fact. It is, what it is.  At this very moment, we’re locked in an ethical battle of the wills and treating people like second class citizens for their sexual preference. 

Now, this in no way makes me dislike entire groups of people for the actions of a few.  However, I do speak objectively and I want people to know that this particular story is far more in line with the real America than most would like to believe. Let’s stop choosing to be so blind to our errs. That is all.