On Sunday, I watched a documentary called ‘Prom Night in Mississippi’ chronicling the events leading up to the first racially integrated prom at Charleston High School in Mississippi.

This documentary wasn’t filmed in the 50’s or 60’s, but in 2008. It’s shocking to know that segregation occurred up until recently, especially after having a significant and powerful moment in history such as President Obama being elected into office.

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In 1997, Morgan Freeman offered to pay for the senior prom at Charleston High School under one condition: the prom had to be racially integrated. After that offer was ignored, Freeman returned eleven years later and the school board accepted. Charleston High School had its first-ever integrated prom in 2008 (until then, blacks and whites had separate proms).

The documentary follows students, teachers, and parents as they lead up to the big day - which, doesn’t come without much opposition in a town where deep rooted racism is still planted. Prom Night in Mississippi premieres @ 9PM ET/PT on Monday, July 20th on HBO.

(via Concreteloop)