Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 1763 } Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posted: Wed 08 Jul 2009 16:57 Post subject: Private Pool in Philly boots out Black kids
Quote:
Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion"
Campers sent packing after first visit to swim club
By KAREN ARAIZA
Updated 11:46 AM EDT, Wed, Jul 8, 2009
NBC Philadelphia
Dymire Baylor says he overheard a woman ask, "What are all these black kids doing?" when he and his freinds showed up.
More than 60 campers from Northeast Philadelphia were turned away from a private swim club and left to wonder if their race was the reason.
Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion"
Watch VideoKids at Creative Steps Day Camp were thrilled to go swimming once a week at the Valley Swim Club. But after only one trip to the private club, they were...
"I heard this lady, she was like, 'Uh, what are all these black kids doing here?' She's like, 'I'm scared they might do something to my child,'" said camper Dymire Baylor.
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.
"When the minority children got in the pool all of the Caucasian children immediately exited the pool," 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."
The next day the club told the camp director that the camp's membership was being suspended and their money would be refunded.
"I said, 'The parents don't want the refund. They want a place for their children to swim,'" camp director Aetha Wright said.
Campers remain unsure why they're no longer welcome.
"They just kicked us out. And we were about to go. Had our swim things and everything," said camper Simer Burwell.
The explanation they got was either dishearteningly honest or poorly worded.
"There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club," John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement.
While the parents await an apology, the camp is scrambling to find a new place for the kids to beat the summer heat.
What do you think?? Is there more the story here than what is being reported???
Last edited by DChapman on Wed 08 Jul 2009 17:25; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 19 Jan 2006 {Posts: 223 } Location: Southern California
Posted: Wed 08 Jul 2009 17:15 Post subject:
I don't know whether there are any crucial facts being left out of that article. Were the kids being unruly? I don't know. I could understand an attendant saying that if they don't straighten up their behavior [*if* they were were not abiding by the rules of the pool] then they will have to leave. Period. However, even if they *were* being unruly, the statement [if true] of the pool attendant[an employee] saying that "they did not allow minorities in the club" is most definitely opening up a huge legal can of worms....
Quote:
"There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club," John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement.
If the president of the swim club meant that the pool caters mostly to adults, then I believe that he could have used a better term other than "complexion" to stress his point. But being that there were also White kids in the pool as well, I predict some discrimination lawsuits are in store for that club.
The key word is private. A private club can restrict membership to non-members, but this story makes the club sounds callous.
Question for legal eagles:
Can private clubs restrict membership in such a way? After all, the Augusta National Club (golf), still restricts membership (not guests visitation rights) to males only last time I checked...???
Watch the video, these kids don't seem like the ghetto type some racist cowards in the comments portray them to be. Listen to the swim club manager..."I AXED you to leave...."
Some comments supporting the club made sense and were not racially motivated. However, some were racist in the most vicious manner. These people are COWARDS. They can be big and bad in the anonymity of the internet, but would not have the balls to say these things if their name and face were exposed. I have no respect for anyone like this.
The key word is private. A private club can restrict membership to non-members, but this story makes the club sounds callous.
Question for legal eagles:
Can private clubs restrict membership in such a way? After all, the Augusta National Club (golf), still restricts membership (not guests visitation rights) to males only last time I checked...???
I think that Melani23 misses the legal point. The club took nearly $2,000 from the day camp in return for promising to let the kids use the pool. This is not an unusual arrangement. When MaryLee helped run a day camp, she routinely paid a local motel to let the kids use their pool. But in this case, the club reneged on their promise and violated their contractual agreement. I would nail them for that alone. (One count of serious emotional damage, for each and every child.) That a jury would then heap punitive damages upon them for their blatant racism would just be icing on the cake.
The key word is private. A private club can restrict membership to non-members, but this story makes the club sounds callous.
Question for legal eagles:
Can private clubs restrict membership in such a way? After all, the Augusta National Club (golf), still restricts membership (not guests visitation rights) to males only last time I checked...???
I think that Melani23 misses the legal point. The club took nearly $2,000 from the day camp in return for promising to let the kids use the pool. This is not an unusual arrangement. When MaryLee helped run a day camp, she routinely paid a local motel to let the kids use their pool. But in this case, the club reneged on their promise and violated their contractual agreement. I would nail them for that alone. (One count of serious emotional damage, for each and every child.) That a jury would then heap punitive damages upon them for their blatant racism would just be icing on the cake.
I lived in NE Philly. I have to say I was not shocked that some people there would express racist anti-Black sentiments, even against little kids. It's reprehensible.
Isn't it also true that even a private organization cannot discriminate on the basis of race or gender if it is a certain size, somewhat public or simply discriminates due to tradition rather than expressed goals/mission of the group? So, a private chess club of 10 60 year old Chinese-Malay women meeting in their own homes can restrict membership by age, race and gender, but a private club of 1,000 women using "public accommodation" would likely run into legal trouble.
Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 1763 } Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posted: Thu 09 Jul 2009 02:09 Post subject:
I don't have a problem with the club restricting its membership. The issue here with me is as Frank put it. They had already taken the money from the camp. This is a breach of contract, even if the money was refunded. This is where they might get into trouble, not the fact that the club is restricted. But what they did to those kids is just beyond reprehensible.
I think I know what happened. The kids arrived and went into the pool. The white kids got out. Their parents probably went to the management asking what was going on. They then proceeded to tell them if they did not rectify the situation, they would leave the club. So the management got nervous and told the group they were not welcome. This is the most likely scenario. How unfortunate.
Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 1763 } Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posted: Fri 10 Jul 2009 15:18 Post subject:
The Club issues an apology....
Quote:
Philly club apologizes for booting campers; denies racial intent
NBC News Updated: 7/10/2009 6:06:37 AM Posted: 7/10/2009 6:02:21 AM
Listen To Article (14)Recommend Print Email Larger Smaller
Philadelphia's Valley Swim Club has apologized for turning away dozens of young swimmers from a local minority-based summer camp and denies their intentions were race-based.
Jim Flynn says he was at the Valley Swim Club on June 29 the day 65 mostly minority kids from Creative Steps Day Camp were at the pool.
Flynn admits he is the first one who complained to the president of the board about the campers, but denied race was the reason.
He says he was worried about safety because of overcrowding.
On Tuesday the Valley Swim Club's board president said there was concern a lot of kids "would change the complexion and atmosphere of the club".
A second statement was issued on Thursday:
"The Valley Club is deeply troubled by the recent allegations of racism which are completely untrue.
We had originally agreed to invite the camps to use our facility, knowing full well that the children from the camps were from multi-ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, we quickly learned that we underestimated the capacity of our facilities and realized that we could not accommodate the number of children from these camps. All funds were returned to the camps and we will re-evaluate the issue at a later date to determine whether it can be feasible in the future.
Our Valley Club deplores discrimination in any form, as is evidenced by our multi-ethnic and diverse membership. Whatever comments may or may not have been made by an individual member is an opinion not shared by The Valley Club Board."
Members say two other camps that are not minority based have also been told not to come back and given a refund.
Children from Creative Steps Day Camp reported hearing racist remarks, but members willing to talk to reporters denied those allegations.
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