Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion"

[HetHert]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Pool-Boots-Kids-Who-Might-Change-the-Complexion.html

This story is appalling, but what is even more appalling are the comments below the story...

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Swim_Club_Turns_Kids_Away_Fearing__Change_of_Complexion__Philadelphia.html#comments

I weep for the inhabitants of this country sometimes because the stupidity and ignorance burns...it burns something awful.

[Lunacie]

What a shame. Whether it's culture or color, it's just wrong.

My 11 year old granddaughter is attending a one-week summer camp again this year, sponsored and led by African-Americans but welcoming kids of all colors and cultures to share a multi-cultural experience.

Last year her dad seemed very proud of what she had learned at camp during the performance on stage the final day. This year he asked her why she doesn't find a camp to attend that has more to do with her heritage and her culture. She told him "If you can find a camp that promotes German heritage I'll be glad to attend... both camps." Woot for her! She attends a predominately white school for 9 months of the year, I think it's awesome that she can step outside her comfort zone for one week and interact with kids who are different. And enjoy the heck out of herself doing it. :thumbsup:

[Stormbeard]

Once you go black camp, you never go back camp.

[vnvrymdreglage]

It's so disheartening that racism still exists to that degree in this country. I really, honestly, just can't understand how someone can discriminate like that. It defies logic.

[LavenderLady]

So much for the post-racial society...

[Sequoia]

Racism is rampant, and in all brutal honesty, it goes both ways.

In this case, the direction was obvious. The actions of the club were blatantly wrong. These kids are the innocent victims in the matter.

[memnoch]

yeah, racism is wrong, however a private club has every right to choose who they want in their club.

[LavenderLady]

yeah, racism is wrong, however a private club has every right to choose who they want in their club.

Yup, they can, and the kids, parents, and media have a right to express anger and distaste at the club policy, so business goes elsewhere.

[Lunacie]

yeah, racism is wrong, however a private club has every right to choose who they want in their club.

Well, I wonder what they mean by "open membership" then?


The Creative Steps Day Camp paid more than $1900 to The Valley Swim Club. The Valley Swim Club is a private club that advertises open membership. But the campers' first visit to the pool suggested otherwise.

Did someone screw up and forget to mention that minorities are not allowed? And are African-Americans still a minority race?


"When the minority children got in the pool all of the Caucasian children immediately exited the pool," Horace Gibson (http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/topics?topic=Horace+Gibson), parent of a day camp child, wrote in an email. "The pool attendants came and told the black children that they did not allow minorities in the club and needed the children to leave immediately."

That's the sad part - that the white kids were afraid of the black kids.

[HetHert]

yeah, racism is wrong, however a private club has every right to choose who they want in their club.

Yes, however, the camp already paid dues and fees BEFORE they were let in.

[LavenderLady]

I'm not sure who I'm more irritated with. The camp or the parents? Well, the camp did end up going through with what the parents wanted, but I think the parents is where it all began. I think it is more sad that the parents are teaching that stuff to their children (even if they do have a right to), and letting racism seep into more generations.

[mephistopheles]

..the hell?

[memnoch]

Yup, they can, and the kids, parents, and media have a right to express anger and distaste at the club policy, so business goes elsewhere.

yep, the reality is I would have never gone there anyway, so while I may shake my head a little, the reality is there is little I can or would do.


Yes, however, the camp already paid dues and fees BEFORE they were let in.

That is the one aspect that bothered me...I guess it comes down to a simple business decision. It is possible they thought it would not be an issue with their members and when it was they decided that the members were more profitable in the long run.

[Brightshores]

1. What the living hell??

2. This is odd, as it's not like there are no black people or other minorities in the greater Philadelphia area.

3. What threat are a bunch of little kids swimming, anyway?

4. You're right; the comments are absolutely appalling.

[evergreen]

The comments made me sick. I can't believe some of the ignorant things people said. It saddens me to see that this is still a problem.

[HetHert]

So the Swim Club is trying to work out an arrangement for the Creative Center Kids...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/12/pennsylvania.pool.problems/index.html

[memnoch]

So the Swim Club is trying to work out an arrangement for the Creative Center Kids...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/12/pennsylvania.pool.problems/index.html

Good for them...although it bothers me that a government group would get involved as I stated earlier a private club has a right to choose who they allow and under what conditions

[HetHert]

Good for them...although it bothers me that a government group would get involved as I stated earlier a private club has a right to choose who they allow and under what conditions

Yeah...though would the arrangements have been reached without the Human Rights Commission stepping in?

[Kraheera]

Good for them...although it bothers me that a government group would get involved as I stated earlier a private club has a right to choose who they allow and under what conditions


The problem was due to the fact that the pool had accepted their money in the first place, denoting that they were accepted. It was only when the members' racism caught up that the pool recanted, and at that point, became a possible sticky issue.