- Joined
- Dec 4, 2018
A quick search through the Mississippi newspaper archives show no mention of segregated proms being inflicted on the citizens of Hattiesburg in the 90s. It was a hot topic in McComb, an hour and a half west of Hattiesburg circa 1995 and in another small town, Bassfield. According to the op-ed written by a Bassfield student,
“The reason for segregation in all those events is believed to have something to do with the racial make-up of Bassfield High School: most of the students are black. Because of this, white students don't feel they will have a fair chance of being selected as student council officers or for homecoming court.”
Googling “Hattiesburg High School” + “segregated prom” brings up an unrelated study guide as the sole hit. Changing prom to dance brings up zero hits. The only mention of prom in Benjamin Harris’s 2014 book Hattiesburg, Mississippi: A History of the Hub City is in regards to a jazz band playing local events in the 1930s.
“The reason for segregation in all those events is believed to have something to do with the racial make-up of Bassfield High School: most of the students are black. Because of this, white students don't feel they will have a fair chance of being selected as student council officers or for homecoming court.”
Googling “Hattiesburg High School” + “segregated prom” brings up an unrelated study guide as the sole hit. Changing prom to dance brings up zero hits. The only mention of prom in Benjamin Harris’s 2014 book Hattiesburg, Mississippi: A History of the Hub City is in regards to a jazz band playing local events in the 1930s.