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Post by Rachel2 on Jul 13, 2009 10:45:50 GMT -5
Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, 65 children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club that their camp had a contract to use. Apparently, the people at the club didn't know that the group of kids was predominantly Black. When the campers entered the pool, White parents allegedly took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club's staff asked the campers to leave. The next day, the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that their payment would be refunded. When asked why, the club's manager said that a lot of kids "would change the complexion ... and the atmosphere of the club." 1. A "Whites only" pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. The club's actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act. 2. Whether or not any laws were violated, a "Whites only" pool should be something every American condemns. Please join us in doing exactly that, and please email your friends and family and invite them to do the same. Your signature will also be used to call on the Department of Justice to evaluate suing the facility under federal law. It takes just a moment to do both, here: www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=2012-887699 Obama is President but that doesn't mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface. We all know stories like this one -- similar incidents play out quietly every day in different communities across the country. The difference in this case is that folks got caught and there was a contract in place that makes for a potentially illegal act. Standing up now isn't just about making things right for these kids in Philadelphia or bringing consequences to this swim club (called the Valley Swim Club). It's about creating a climate of accountability everywhere. If we can publicly shame the Valley Swim Club and hold them accountable for this incident, it will make others think twice before engaging in what appears to be blatant discrimination. Please join us in condemning the Valley Swim Club's behavior and calling on the Justice Department to investigate whether they violated civil rights laws. And please ask your friends and family to do the same. www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=2012-887699 Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU -- your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don't share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here: secure.colorofchange.org/contribute/?id=2012-887699 References: 1. "'Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion,'" NBC Philadelphia, 07-08-09 bit.ly/90Zyr 2. "Section 1981 Summary," Employment Law Information Network www.elinfonet.com/1981sum.php More Resources: "60 Black Kids Booted from Philly Pool For Being Black -- Speak Out," Jill Tubman at Jack and Jill Politics, 07-08-09 bit.ly/GkJTs VIDEO: "Please Don't Change the Complexion of our Pool," This Week in Blackness, 07-08-09 www.youtube.com/watch?v=saTCMJVYljU "Swim Club Accused of Discrimination," FOX 29 Philadelphia, 07-08-09 bit.ly/7EKGy "Valley Swim Club: Day Two," Adam B at Daily Kos, 07-08-09 bit.ly/qbpSA |
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Post by chokletrktct on Jul 21, 2009 14:05:06 GMT -5
Hello:
Although this was a terrible incident, I must clarify that this did not take place in Philadelphia. Although the children who were discriminated against were from Philly, the incident took place in Huntingdon Valley, PA. This town is a suburb outside of Philadelphia, and many Philadelphians view it as being in another world.
Many of the suburbs surrounding the city are very prejudiced, however the city has had 3 black mayors and it is predominately made of Minorities.
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Post by Nikkol on Jul 21, 2009 14:32:18 GMT -5
Tyler Perry Sending Swim Club Kids to Disney World
Angered by swim club controversy, Perry asks people to send love
By VINCE LATTANZIO
Updated 10:45 AM EDT, Tue, Jul 21, 2009
Dymire Baylor and his camp mates will meet Mickey and the gang at Walt Disney World in a few weeks.
Madea's no longer going to jail, she's going to Disney World with the campers from Creative Steps Day Camp. Well, not actually Madea, but the movie and TV producer, Tyler Perry who plays the "Mad Black Woman."
Tyler Perry was so angered by the recent saga between 60 inner-city day campers and a private, suburban swim club that he decided to send them all to the House of the Mouse for a little fun.
"I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them," Perry said in a statement on his Web site. "This is all about the kids."
The kids and their parents will spend August 1 - 3 at the Florida resort, roaming through the Magic Kingdom and testing their nerves on water slides at one of Disney's three water parks.
Creative Steps and The Valley Swim Club have been embroiled in a national media and legal battle since racial discrimination allegations were made in early July. The camp paid $1,950 to have campers swim at the 10-acre complex on Mondays through August, but after members complained on the first day, the camp's privileges were revoked and money returned.
Several students said they heard members making racial remarks while they were at The Valley Club, which members emphatically deny. The club since invited Creative Steps and two other camps back, but the camp declined.
Both the camp and several parents of the children involved told U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter they plan on filing a class-action lawsuit against the club.
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Post by krazeeboi on Jul 22, 2009 21:17:30 GMT -5
Instead of fighting for inclusion at a place we're clearly not wanted, why don't we create our own? I truly feel that this is what has gotten us in trouble as a people. Why do we want to patronize a place where we're merely tolerated?
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Post by Nikkol on Sept 23, 2009 7:36:47 GMT -5
State Rules Swim Club's Actions Were Racially Motivated
Swim Club lawyer blames "media firestorm" for ruling
By VINCE LATTANZIO
Updated 6:47 AM EDT, Wed, Sep 23, 2009
NBCPhiladelphia.com Race was a factor in the banning of 56 minority students from the Valley Swim Club in late June, according to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC).
The state board ruled late Tuesday there was probable cause that the private Huntington Valley, Pa., organization "refused and denied" the campers' ability to use the facilities "due to the child's race."
Creative Steps Day Camp and The Valley Swim Club were embroiled in a national media and legal battle since racial discrimination allegations were made in early July. The camp paid $1,950 to have campers swim at the 10-acre complex on Mondays from June through August, but after members complained on the first day, the camp's privileges were revoked and money returned.
Several students said they heard members making racial remarks while they were at The Valley Club, which members emphatically denied.
Tempers further flared after the club's president John Duesler issued a statement saying "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion …and the atmosphere of the club." He later apologized for making that statement, saying he misspoke.
The club eventually invited Creative Steps and two other camps back, but the camps declined.
In a 33-page affidavit, the commission details a previously unknown confrontation between a woman who allegedly made racial comments about the children and the camp's director.
Club member Michelle Flynn and Creative Steps director Alethea Wright had a heated argument after Flynn asked another club member "What are all of these black kids doing here?" She continued: "I am scared they might do something to my child and they might steal some of my stuff," according to documents.
Flynn and Deborah Mindel, both elementary school teachers, said they knew several of the children from their school and alleged that one had stolen a cell phone before. The PHRC found no evidence that the incident had previously occurred at the school, according to attorney Brian Mildenberg.
The case was brought before the PHRC after the mother of one of the children enrolled in the camp filed a class action lawsuit against the suburban swim club. Attorneys Brian and David Mildenberg, who represent four children from the camp, called the ruling a "significant victory."
The PHRC cited the race of the Valley Club's membership and marketing efforts as probable cause for the rulings. In the past two years, the club's 150-plus membership was all white, according to committee documents. They also said the club made direct marketing efforts towards white neighborhoods while not targeting other races at all.
Mildenberg said the club's actions caused emotional and psycholocal damage to the children. He referenced one siutation where a five-year old involved told his mother he had to "'stay in the bathtub longer so he could get his skin lighter.'"
The ruling recommends a cash settlement of up to $50,000 for the unidentified woman and her child. The attorneys said other hearings will need to be held to determine an exact reward. The swim club will also have an opportunity to appeal.
Valley Club lawyer Joe Tucker said Tuesday night that the decision was wrong and "the media firestorm" surrounding the case gave the state panel no choice but to reach the conclusion it did.
Wright is expected to address the media on behalf of the camp Wednesday regarding the commission's rulings.
Now some ppl think that $50,000 is too much. Or that it teaches ppl that if someone does/says something that you don't like, that you should sue and could make money? Your thoughts? Also, how long before you think that we (as Christians) may have to deal with the same type of thing based on what we're saying?
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Post by krazeeboi on Sept 23, 2009 13:26:53 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't know about that $50K; sounds a bit outrageous to me. I don't think any cash settlements should be given. Just fine the racist swim club and be done. Back in the day when we were self-sufficient as a people, we would have just BUILT OUR OWN. But we've abandoned what we've built ourselves in pursuit of so-called American dream.
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Post by anointedteacher on Sept 23, 2009 15:33:56 GMT -5
Not enoughy... they caused emotional damage to young innocent children... should be more to teach them a listen!
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Post by kitty on Sept 23, 2009 16:04:41 GMT -5
Hello Guys,
The whole point of the cash settlement is to be a punishment... Thus I think it is fair. Especially since there appears to be an attempt to slander some of the kids by claiming them to be theives and stealing a cell phone as a reason oppose to racism. That definitely requires a cash judgement...
Krazeboi...Yes..it would be nice to have a nice pool in our own areas... Are you really innocent enough to think that nobody tried to get past a zoning committee? Racism runs deep...
Kitty
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Post by kitty on Sept 23, 2009 16:06:42 GMT -5
Krazeboi....
Check out the movie Rosewood.... Those people were never given their day in court about a beautiful town... built by black folks for black folks that was burned to the ground....
Kitty
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Post by krazeeboi on Sept 23, 2009 16:40:03 GMT -5
Kitty, I know about Rosewood and other similar incidents (i.e., Tulsa race riots)...haven't seen the movie but read the actual account.
During the time leading right up to the Civil Rights movement, we had our own self-sufficient communities. Yes, I know about urban renewal that cleared out Black neighborhoods in cities all across the nation, but it didn't totally obliterate ALL of our neighborhoods. I would much rather that we use our political capital as a people to build our own stuff/institutions instead of lobbying to get White folks' stuff who don't want us there anyway.
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Post by Nikkol on Sept 24, 2009 7:01:47 GMT -5
AT & Kitty - My issue with a cash pymt to ppl to me doesn't teach a good lesson. Are we teaching that money will take away "emotional hurt"?
If you want to fine the company, that's fine. But give the money towards opening another swim club or something else that can benefit a group of ppl (not necessarily having to be black).
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Post by anointedteacher on Sept 24, 2009 9:29:19 GMT -5
AT & Kitty - My issue with a cash pymt to ppl to me doesn't teach a good lesson. Are we teaching that money will take away "emotional hurt"? Yes... it is a good lesson to that club.... spanking their hand won't help.... If you fell and broke your leg in a store with wet floor and no sign... you can get cash payment for medical bill, lose wages and pain and suffering. They can get cash payment for emotional damage to young children... for each child and the day camp should get something too, they was discriminated and was left to deal with the children who didn't understand what was going on.... So they can put NO BLACK ALLOWED on their door... so you support the Jim Crow... Each child should receive something cause they suffer emotional pain and confusion... This was a day camp and the children was on a field trip... away from the camp... they would be able to travel like all other children and have fun... Making an example out of this place will teach them and other places a lesson... These black and latin children should not be treated that way... |
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Post by krazeeboi on Sept 24, 2009 9:32:43 GMT -5
AT, I'm not sure where you're getting Jim Crow from out of all of this. That's a huge leap.
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Post by anointedteacher on Sept 24, 2009 9:55:48 GMT -5
AT, I'm not sure where you're getting Jim Crow from out of all of this. That's a huge leap. You don't want other places to put an invisible no black allowed sign up... |
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Post by Nikkol on Sept 24, 2009 10:12:04 GMT -5
Yes... it is a good lesson to that club.... spanking their hand won't help.... If you fell and broke your leg in a store with wet floor and no sign... you can get cash payment for medical bill, lose wages and pain and suffering. They can get cash payment for emotional damage to young children... for each child and the day camp should get something too, they was discriminated and was left to deal with the children who didn't understand what was going on.... So they can put NO BLACK ALLOWED on their door... so you support the Jim Crow... Each child should receive something cause they suffer emotional pain and confusion... This was a day camp and the children was on a field trip... away from the camp... they would be able to travel like all other children and have fun... Making an example out of this place will teach them and other places a lesson... These black and latin children should not be treated that way... I believe that even for those who slip and fall, the amount of money received for pain and suffering (to me) is usually too much... If you want to give them money, fine...but I think that it should be put towards maybe their college fund. Tho, I don't think "throwing money" at the issue is gonna make things any better. |
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