Film to Address Racial Problems in Mississippi
Renee Tomasek
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Entertainment
Integration within the Mississippi school system took place in 1970, however for one high school, segregation was still a disturbance.
Although all Mississippi schools were no segregated, Charleston High School continued to host segregated proms, one for black students and one for white students. Federal Courts involved themselves in the matter only to enforce desegregation in Mississippi schools, remaining sightless to the segregated senior proms continuing to take place at Charleston High School.
Morgan Freeman, actor and resident of the Charleston area offered to pay the bill if the school board consented to hold an integrated prom for students. His offer was rejected in 1970 and in 2008 Freeman tried again, this time the East Tallahatchie County School Board accepted, agreeing to host an integrated senior prom.
The integration of the senior proms in Charleston, Mississippi, attracted, upset and fascinated a number of people, as well as proved to be inspiring for Paul Saltzman. Paul Saltzman along with his Canadian camera crew, documented the events that would soon make history, not only in the town of Charleston, but also in the box office.
The real events documented by Paul Saltzman and photographers about the days leading up to that long-awaited day in 2008, are presented in the movie, Prom Night in Mississippi. This is a powerful and inspiring film documenting the integration of a school's senior prom giving viewers a true look at the reactions and in some cases back lash faced in order to make such a rousing change. The film illustrates racial issues, conflicts among black and white families and the struggles faced by the community as they fought to keep what they considered a tradition alive in Charleston, Mississippi.
Sound interesting? Prom Night in Mississippi will be shown in the Macfarlane Auditorium on February 10th, 2010 at 5:30pm. Admission is free and snacks will be provided throughout the movie. Following the movie, Professor Paul Young will lead a discussion to converse about the subjects covered in the movie. Student feedback is greatly encouraged!
Although all Mississippi schools were no segregated, Charleston High School continued to host segregated proms, one for black students and one for white students. Federal Courts involved themselves in the matter only to enforce desegregation in Mississippi schools, remaining sightless to the segregated senior proms continuing to take place at Charleston High School.
Morgan Freeman, actor and resident of the Charleston area offered to pay the bill if the school board consented to hold an integrated prom for students. His offer was rejected in 1970 and in 2008 Freeman tried again, this time the East Tallahatchie County School Board accepted, agreeing to host an integrated senior prom.
The integration of the senior proms in Charleston, Mississippi, attracted, upset and fascinated a number of people, as well as proved to be inspiring for Paul Saltzman. Paul Saltzman along with his Canadian camera crew, documented the events that would soon make history, not only in the town of Charleston, but also in the box office.
The real events documented by Paul Saltzman and photographers about the days leading up to that long-awaited day in 2008, are presented in the movie, Prom Night in Mississippi. This is a powerful and inspiring film documenting the integration of a school's senior prom giving viewers a true look at the reactions and in some cases back lash faced in order to make such a rousing change. The film illustrates racial issues, conflicts among black and white families and the struggles faced by the community as they fought to keep what they considered a tradition alive in Charleston, Mississippi.
Sound interesting? Prom Night in Mississippi will be shown in the Macfarlane Auditorium on February 10th, 2010 at 5:30pm. Admission is free and snacks will be provided throughout the movie. Following the movie, Professor Paul Young will lead a discussion to converse about the subjects covered in the movie. Student feedback is greatly encouraged!
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