Film to be shown in schools to foster acceptance of differences 33 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 13, 2009 Continued from page 32 "We finally get to have a good time together," says John Ellis, the only white guy on the boy's basketball team nicknamed `white chocolate'. There are other bright spots among the next generation too. During the question and answer session after Wednesday's presentation, the director Saltzman calls Glenn Sumner, one of the few parents who agreed to speak on camera for the documentary, his "hero". Sumner's white daughter Heather's boyfriend is a black boy named Jeremy. They are the only mixed couple at the high school and likely in the town. "I don't agree with (interracial) dating," says Sumner. "And I'm not racist. It'll just be so hard for her when she gets older." According to Saltzman, Heather's dad "comes from a place of social pressure, but he loves his daughter more. Other parents have to hear him." Heather and Jeremy's relationship certainly has peer support. Their classmates cheered loudest for this groundbreaking couple when their names were announced during the dance's couples presentation. Co-producer Aquino reports that Heather and Jeremy are still together, although she is away at college studying nursing and he is currently in the military, serving in Iraq Despite the historical event of an integrated prom, a white only prom was still organized but only 30 of 415 teens attending Charleston High attended. All of the 82 students in the senior class participated in the integrated prom, held April 19, 2008. And Freeman reported that even though he only paid for half of the expenses in 2009, another successful, mixed prom was held this year. Sadly, parents also organized another white only prom. It exemplifies the subtleties of intolerance that Freeman explained to the packed theatre through this anecdote: A man and a little girl are walking hand-inhand on a street when they see a dog on the sidewalk up ahead. The man tells the little girl not to be afraid as he tightens his grip on her hand. But hope is strengthening, as expressed in a final comment from `Billy Joe' -- a student whose face was blocked out in the film because of he feared repercussions from his racist parents. "We will be one community eventually. ... It'll make white people mad but they'll be happier, won't they?" Anne Perebzak, a Mississauga woman who paid the $100-a-seat ticket to see the screening reminded the audience that Canadians are certainly not immune to segregationism, referring to the creation of separate schools based on culture, faith and skin colour -- the Toronto District School Board opened the controversial Africentric Alternative School in September. For more information on the educational arm of the documentary film, log on to www.promnightinmississippi.com. PROM: Stills from the documentary Prom Night in Mississippi show students mingling and having a good time at their school's first integrated prom. Christmas is coming and so are your guests! Frameless Shower Enclosure is sure to impress! A New * FREE DAILY SERVICE Morning and afternoon departures to Fallsview Casino *After $10 Casino Rebate Government Photo ID required WEDNESDAY & NOW SATURDAY Morning & Afternoon From Hopedale Mall EVERY EVERY SUN, TUES, THURS, FRI & SAT From Carpool Lot Guelph Line, North Service Rd 20% Off CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY! Nov 18 18 Nov & 23 $10.00 Coin BONUS FROM CASINO Reserve Your Seat Quickly for This Great Offer, Seats Always Sell Out Fast! All Custom Glass Shower Enclosures Sale on from October 26 - Nov.15, 2009. Discount applies to materials only. FREE Deluxe Transportation Have yours installed before it's too late! Minimum 5- hour stay required. Valid government-issued photo identification and Players Advantage Club Card required to redeem offers. Offers subject to change without notice. Offers cannot be combined/substituted. Must be 19 years of age or older to board coaches for casino. Void where prohibited. 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 T.I.C.O. #50007535 OMCA Member 1 -800-8381789 FOR RESERV ATIONS CALL www.casinocoach.ca · www.frontlinetours.ca 168 CLARENCE ST., PORT COLBORNE, L3K 3G5