We told you earlier this week about the movement in Wilcox County to have the school’s first integrated prom. The word from the Gold Dome today is that Gov. Nathan Deal is staying out of it.
The AJC’s indefatigable Greg Bluestein has this from Deal spokesman Brian Robinson:
Gov. Deal is focused on reviewing the legislation that was passed in the legislative session and bringing jobs to Georgia. In the Wilcox County case, the governor expects and trusts that local leaders will find a long-term solution that protects the equal rights of all students, regardless of race or ethnic background.
In recent days the matter has become a cause for the left-leaning folks at Better Georgia, who have been soliciting lawmakers and others to donate — in part through a Twitter campaign. The idea of funding the prom originated with a Wilcox County African-American Republican named Melvin Everson, so it rankled some on the GOP side that Democrats were making such a fuss. Robinson called the Better Georgia campaign a “silly publicity stunt.”
Also, according to its Facebook page, the integrated prom met its fundraising goal way back on April 5. Additional donations will go to scholarships for the students.
Bluestein adds that there is precedent for a Georgia governor getting involved in a prom. But that involved Waffle House.
@gafollowers #Georgia THIS is who you decided to put in office? We have got to do better!
— Uhh-Lexis 😀 (@2For_thePink) April 13, 2013
@gafollowers wow
— Qt (@qt__) April 13, 2013
