 | The week that this was written (Spring, 2003), the instructor/coordinator was astonished to read of separate proms for African American and White students in one of our Southern states. This was reported to be by mutual consent, in this community. Apparently, each group felt it had more to lose than to gain by having a single, integrated, high school prom. Based on what you read in Part III of Ehrenhalt, and other sources, why do you think this might be? Hasn't social change brought losses, as well as gains?
For example, the dispersion of the ghettos--not entirely, of course, but to some extent--has meant the loss of many of the male role models (physicians, dentists, barbers, ministers, teachers) who were once around as examples of stable "heads" of intact families. They have been replaced, in part, by dealers, pimps, and hookers, as role models. Not that they weren't there, before. But, the case could be made that these are the symbols of "success" in many areas, those who have money, cars, and a kind of "freedom."
Under segregation, young people saw successful blacks, as well as those who have been left behind. Or, do you agree? Is this too one-sided? Think about some of the positive and negative effects of social change, in this regard, for the Discussion Area. |
