Are We in 2009 or 1959? WTF?
July 13th 2009 18:43
As I was skimming through the CNN website the other day at my desk at work on my lunch break, expecting to see headlines about President Obama's next solution for the current economic woes or even more information about that crazy senator and his sexcapades in Argentina or God knows where else. But instead, my senses were slapped across the face with a headline reading "Swim Club turns Children Away due to Race". I forgot just that quickly, that I was at work before let go my tirades of WTF!?! I had to actually focus on something else before I could even continue reading the story. For those who are totally clueless as to what I'm referring to, let me bring you up to speed:
Monday, June 29th, about 65 children, along with their teachers, went for a swim day at
a private country club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Upon their arrival, these
children were met with comments, parents pulling kids from the swimming area, and
refusals, by the club staff, to allow the kids near the pool. They were ushered out of the
club and later refunded their deposit and given a sudden excuse for safety concerns of
a group that size possibly overwhelming their 110,000 gallon sized pool .
Now, mind you, the day camp had, weeks in advance, forewarned the swim club of how many students would be in attendance. They also paid the requested amount for the day they arrived. Now, when did it occur to the swim club that there were safety concerns for a group of 65 students in a 110,000 gallon sized pool posing a safety concern? One would think that would have been a concern when they took the check to hold the date or even before the check was created, like say when they were on the phone with the day camp director? But no, they instead waited until 65 Black and Hispanic children were standing before a sparkling pool, with their swim wear on underneath their camp t-shirts, eyes gleaming, and hearts jumping at the chance to cool off after cannon balling into the water! WTF???
What day in age are we in?? I could have sworn we were in the year 2009, with a Black President in Office, segregation abolished over 30 years ago, Jim Crow sent to his grave, the Klu Klux Klan now relegated to hiding their hatred and white hoods underground, and so on. Apparently, I missed something somewhere, some how, because I'm confused as to how anyone in this day and age could look at children, I don't care what race, and turn them away from enjoying swimming? I mean, are the people in Huntingdon Valley so wrapped up in their precious whitedom that they neglected to realize we're in a new day and age where whites and blacks alike no longer will sit by and accept racist actions? Are they soo wrapped up in hoping they can keep their precious little Valley a haven specifically for the white and privileged?
Who knows the answers to these questions, but now that people, and I mean Whites, Latinos, AND Blacks have picketed the swim club, and that it's garnered national attention, I don't think we'll hear of any further problems from these people. They've even, according to news today, offered to let the kids come back and ACTUALLY use the facilities they should have used two weeks ago. Although, this comes I'm sure at the advice of the club's lawyer and PR team as a last ditch effort to keep the Pennsylvania Human Rights committee at bay, I'd have to re-think allowing any child of color to return to a pool that's apparently very sacred to the people who use it daily. My Mother's generation had to deal with 'colored only' and 'whites only' signs during her childhood, my sister and I had to deal with 'Affirmative Action' got us into a university and our jobs mentalities, and now I have to still worry about my son being faced with not being able to swim in a freaking pool at certain country clubs?? Doesn't sound like we've come very far from 1959 to 2009 at all. What the F***!!
Monday, June 29th, about 65 children, along with their teachers, went for a swim day at
a private country club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Upon their arrival, these
children were met with comments, parents pulling kids from the swimming area, and
refusals, by the club staff, to allow the kids near the pool. They were ushered out of the
club and later refunded their deposit and given a sudden excuse for safety concerns of
a group that size possibly overwhelming their 110,000 gallon sized pool .
Now, mind you, the day camp had, weeks in advance, forewarned the swim club of how many students would be in attendance. They also paid the requested amount for the day they arrived. Now, when did it occur to the swim club that there were safety concerns for a group of 65 students in a 110,000 gallon sized pool posing a safety concern? One would think that would have been a concern when they took the check to hold the date or even before the check was created, like say when they were on the phone with the day camp director? But no, they instead waited until 65 Black and Hispanic children were standing before a sparkling pool, with their swim wear on underneath their camp t-shirts, eyes gleaming, and hearts jumping at the chance to cool off after cannon balling into the water! WTF???
What day in age are we in?? I could have sworn we were in the year 2009, with a Black President in Office, segregation abolished over 30 years ago, Jim Crow sent to his grave, the Klu Klux Klan now relegated to hiding their hatred and white hoods underground, and so on. Apparently, I missed something somewhere, some how, because I'm confused as to how anyone in this day and age could look at children, I don't care what race, and turn them away from enjoying swimming? I mean, are the people in Huntingdon Valley so wrapped up in their precious whitedom that they neglected to realize we're in a new day and age where whites and blacks alike no longer will sit by and accept racist actions? Are they soo wrapped up in hoping they can keep their precious little Valley a haven specifically for the white and privileged?
Who knows the answers to these questions, but now that people, and I mean Whites, Latinos, AND Blacks have picketed the swim club, and that it's garnered national attention, I don't think we'll hear of any further problems from these people. They've even, according to news today, offered to let the kids come back and ACTUALLY use the facilities they should have used two weeks ago. Although, this comes I'm sure at the advice of the club's lawyer and PR team as a last ditch effort to keep the Pennsylvania Human Rights committee at bay, I'd have to re-think allowing any child of color to return to a pool that's apparently very sacred to the people who use it daily. My Mother's generation had to deal with 'colored only' and 'whites only' signs during her childhood, my sister and I had to deal with 'Affirmative Action' got us into a university and our jobs mentalities, and now I have to still worry about my son being faced with not being able to swim in a freaking pool at certain country clubs?? Doesn't sound like we've come very far from 1959 to 2009 at all. What the F***!!
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Comment by hazius
home with hazius
As you have objectively stated, there probably won't be any more problems in the (near) future with that club, but if that kind of 'thinking' still exists, then - 'it still exists' and has to leak out somewhere else sooner or later.
Perhaps a HUGE fine/lawsuit would help shore up the leaks? Or the picketers drive the bastard of a place out of business?
The good side of it, at least, is the unified opposition accross all races to such mentality.
Thanks for posting this article - without it I would never have heard of it.
hazius
BTW - what's the name of this club?
Comment by Nicolette
Rants and Raves
Films Worth Watching, or Not?
But to answer your question, the name is the Valley Swim Club. If you'd like more info about this, you can find threads on CNN.com or MSNBC.com and I'm sure plenty of other national news sites. Thanks again for your comment and I'll do my best to rant and rave about pertinent issues like this!
Comment by hazius
home with hazius
Thanks for that ...
Keep up the good work and best wishes.
hazius