‘Party like it’s 1776’ tickets for prom near National Constitution Center prompt school apology

Partying “like it’s 1776” will no longer be an option for students of Cherry Hill High School on prom night.

A New Jersey high school that promoted its prom near Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center with a “party like it’s 1776” tagline has apologized to offended families and the Camden County NAACP East chapter.

Principal Dennis Perry said he wanted to especially “apologize to our African-American students” who could not square a celebration of the principles enshrined within the Declaration of Independence at the birth of the nation with historical realities regarding slavery.

“It was insensitive and irresponsible not to appreciate that not all communities can celebrate what life was like in 1776,” Mr. Perry said in a statement, the Courier Post reported Saturday. I especially apologize to our African-American students, who I have let down by not initially recognizing the inappropriateness of this wording. You can expect that we will do better as a school community to produce well thought out, appropriate communications.”

Danny Elmore, a vice president for the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association, said he believe Mr. Perry “handled the situation well.”

Lloyd Henderson, the president of the Camden County NAACP East chapter, said the situation was indicative of a school where “African-American students’ needs are not considered along with the rest of the school.”

Students will receive new tickets without the original tagline. Those who already received “1776” versions will not be required to present them at the door, the newspaper reported.