To the Itawamba County School District

As someone who was fortunate enough to attend three high school proms with the date of my choice, I'd have to say that they are some of fondest memories from high school that I continue to carry with me years later. When I first heard the story of Constance McMillen I was outraged and saddened. The fact that a school would cancel a prom so that they could discriminate against a gay student was mind boggling to me. I couldn't imagine that this could happen to a high school student that wanted nothing more than to attend her high school's prom with the date of her choice. So you can imagine how I felt when I heard that two proms were held, a secret prom that was only for regular students and a prom that Constance McMillen and students with learning disabilities attended. I've felt a flood of differing emotions since I learned of this horrible injustice. It is heartbreaking to think that the seven students that attended the different prom were specifically targeted and separated by a group of parents. It is disturbing to think that the people that were in charge of this are raising children and responsible for their care and upbringing. It is also deplorable that the chaperons of the prom for the seven students were teachers from the high school and the high school principal.
In having a separate prom chaperoned by teachers and school administrators that is planned by the parents of students, shows the other students that it is acceptable to segregate students based on having a disability or sexual orientation. The thought process behind deeming students worthy or unworthy of attending a prom is disgusting. Having two separate proms creates classes where students that are marked as different become second class citizens. It is shameful that this had to happen to high school students who are brave enough to live in a world that treats them as second class citizens instead of human beings. It is absolutely appalling that there are people that would do this to other human beings. I am absolutely offended as a human being. I am ashamed to be a part of the same human family as the bigots and ignorant fools that were part of this heinous plot against a small group of people that are completely innocent. This attack on a minority came from a group of adults, which is completely despicable. These students hurt no one. They have not committed any crimes. They have not done anything with malicious intent towards others. The conspirators against the students with disabilities and the homosexual students are part of a great injustice and have done those three things. They have hurt a group of students that deserve the same privileges and rights as their children. They committed a crime against their human family members by planning a prom with malice in their hearts and minds.
By condoning the actions of these people, their hatred and bigotry are affirmed. While some people think that being different is wrong, their intolerance can no longer be tolerated. We are all humans and are totally deserving and worthy of the same pursuits of happiness. President Bill Clinton said, "We tend to be divided, all around the world, by religious, political, even psychological differences between those who need an enemy and those who are trying to make a friend, between those who believe our differences matter more than our common humanity and those who believe that our differences make life interesting and aid the search for truth, but our common humanity must always matter more." It is time to embrace our brothers and sisters of every race, religion, sexual orientation, or other walk of life.
I will keep the people of Itawamba County in my thoughts and prayers in the hope that they will be able to let love into their hearts and minds. That they can learn tolerance and be part of the solution to a great problem facing our world today. In the mean time I hope people will remember the Golden Rule that we all learned so long ago, to do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Let us love one another as we love our own self and continue to grow in love as part of one human family.
Peace,
Brian Patrick King