Last year Mississippi’s Charleston High School had their first mixed race prom. Ever.
While in the process of making a documentary about the changes made in Mississippi since the civil rights movement, Canadian film maker Paul Saltzman discovered that the small community of Charleston (population 2,100) still had segregated proms.
This prompted him to make Prom Night in Mississipi, a documentary playing at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, with commentary by Morgan Freeman.
Charleston is in fact, the town Freeman grew up in. He offered to fund a mixed race prom ten years ago. His offer was denied. He made the offer again in 2008, and this time it was accepted.
Toronto-based photographer Catherine Farquharson also had the chance to attend the monumental prom night. Her photos can be seen starting tomorrow at the Lens Factory, at 1040 Queen West.
Farquharson recently spoke about the experience on CBC’s Metro Morning.
In the interview, Farquharson says that it wasn’t the kids, but the parents, who were opposed to the idea of a racially integrated prom. And although there was a mixed prom, there was also still a whites-only prom.
A sneak peek:
Stills for the documentary Prom Night in Mississippi
The Lens Factory
100 Queen St. West
February 1-28, 2009
Opening Reception:
February 4, 2009
7-10 p.m.
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four comments
Dude, when Morgan Freeman asks you to do something, you do it!
Seriously though, this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I can't believe they still have a whites only prom. I would love to see this movie.
Posted by Michelle
January 31, 2009, 11:26 AM
So the white students still get two proms? In that case I think the black (non-white? Which prom do Asian/Latina/o/Native/... go to?) kids should still have their own prom too. Esp considering that I am only for segregated spaces when it is to protect people of colour from racism. Which a black kids only prom would definitely seem to do, at least in this context.
Posted by Thea
January 31, 2009, 11:34 AM
It's cool that the kids are down for an mixed race prom. That makes me think rasism is slowly dying out.
I say, let the blacks and whites mix! We could use more Obamas in this world.
Posted by m
January 31, 2009, 2:12 PM
Thank you for posting this. I must have missed the CBC interview...I'm openmouthed...flabbergasted. I had no idea this sort of open, blatant racial segregation could still find acceptance in parts of North America (as opposed to the more subtle, insidious stuff that I know still goes on).
On the other hand, I'm also glad to see that even as I learn about its continued presence, it may be on its way out...er except for the continued whites-only prom.
Posted by Sarah
January 31, 2009, 6:31 PM
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