…in 2014

This news, that surfaced very recently, comes as both a saddening realization and a euphoric bit of information. This year’s prom at Wilcox County High School, in Atlanta, Georgia, was the first racially integrated prom the school has ever thrown, in its history.

Despite being an integrated school district for over 40 years, considering school events and functions of the like are organized by the community, Wilcox High School proms remained segregated as community leaders refused to budge their beliefs or break tradition.

Last year, because the school refused to comply, the student union organized their own prom that was ultimately a success, as people from all over the country reached out to show their support.

How is it, in 2014, there are schools that won’t let black and white students mingle together at their prom, a key moment in any young person’s life? It’s great that they’ve finally come around, but it shouldn’t have taken nearly this long.