Question

Racially segregated proms are possible because _____.

A. no laws regulate public school decisions regarding segregated proms
B. some public schools choose not to hold official proms, thereby tacitly supporting racially segregated private proms
C. most high schools have very few mixed-race couples
D. most proms are organized by Parent Teacher Association(s) rather than school boards

Answer 1

Racially segregated proms can occur through de facto segregation when public schools opt out of holding official proms, leading to private, segregated events. These unfold because of historical, social, and economic factors that perpetuate segregation, despite neutral laws.

Step-by-step explanation:

Racially segregated proms are possible because some public schools choose not to hold official proms, thereby tacitly supporting racially segregated private proms. This is a form of de facto segregation, which refers to segregation that occurs without laws but because of other factors such as social and economic conditions, individual choices, and historically rooted practices. Before the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, de jure segregation (segregation enforced by law) was prevalent in the United States. However, the persistence of segregated neighborhoods contributes to de facto segregation, making it challenging for schools to achieve racial diversity. Despite laws being racially neutral, segregation continues in various forms due to the legacies of past discrimination and existing social structures.