Racist Outrage of the Day (Year?)
| Wed Jul. 8, 2009 12:42 PM PDT
Blood, prepare to boil. According to the NBC affliate in Philadelphia, the Valley Swim Club booted a day camp of inner city kids—which had paid $1900 for summer swimming rights—after members refused to swim with black kids. Really.
"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....
"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....
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.
In a statement! Wow. The mind reels. First at the racism. And then at the PR bungling. When I posted this to Facebook, a got a note from a (white) friend who grew up in Philly. It didn't surprise him, he said; racism in that 'burb is entrenched. Worth noting that the comments on the NBC site, many of which were horrifc a hour ago, have been disabled.
You can follow this link to let Valley know what you think.
Update: Senator Arlen Specter has said he'll investigate. And the nice people at Girard College, "a private Philadelphia boarding school for children who live in low-income and single parent homes," have offered their pool. (H/T Tim Dickinson via FB)
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Continued From Above
Comments
Totally ****ing Outrageous!
Submitted by E.E. (not verified) on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 1:35 PM PDT.
I just read about this story. I can't believe this is still happening and that there is absolutely no recourse for it. I believe in civil liberties, but where do we draw the line as far as morality. Why can people be denied admission b/c the establishment is "private"? I'm done "boiling" I'm about to explode!
yes, it happens
Submitted by Wayson R. Jones (not verified) on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 2:12 PM PDT.
I'm sure it's well intentioned, but as an African American, I grow a little weary of the surprise and disbelief that so many display about this kind of incident. To be fair, I can't assume that all who react that way are White. I've reacted with naivete to news of racial discrimination myself (though I can usually recover, given time to think things through).
I don't deny the progress this nation has made, though I've been a naysayer about it at times (it can be easy to complain). But the shock and horror that so often appear in progressive people's response to racist incidents imply an overestimation of how much progress has been made. That's how you get blindsided.
Fair Point
Submitted by Clara Jeffery on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 2:29 PM PDT.
Though what actually was most surprising to me was not that racism is alive and well in Philly (see also anywhere USA), but that a club whose members are so inclined would a) take money from a black day camp only to boot kids the next day b) issue a statement that has to be included in the worst-ever crisis communication hall of fame.
The fact that the attendants
Submitted by John (not verified) on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 8:54 PM PDT.
The fact that the attendants actually told the kids that they don't allow minorities is also a bit surprising.
I wouldn't find it surprising at all that a pool in the suburbs would try to keep black people out. That they would do it so blatantly and in such a blundering manner is more worthy of note.
Girard College, btw, was segregated until the late 60s.
SHAMEFUL
Submitted by April (not verified) on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 4:45 PM PDT.
This is what it says on their site "We combine a casual, friendly atmosphere with an emphasis on family. With ten spacious acres of land, there is room for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves at the club."
Maybe they need to amend the statement to include "WHITES ONLY". It's ridiculous and all of those people should be ashamed of themselves!
Valley Swim Clum
Submitted by Lizzy L (not verified) on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 4:50 PM PDT.
Racist ass*****s. I clicked through to their e-mail address and sent them an angry e-mail. I hope the state finds a way to go after them.
to many
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 10:55 AM PDT.
Lets get real. There were 25 children in the wading end of a small commercial pool. The 60 black and hispanic children were told the pool was overloaded at the time. A reschedule coild be made. Go to harlem or gary to a public pool and dump 60 white kids on them. You would all be attacked or beat and raped. Do not make all whites out to be racist because some do not loke the color of their skin.
"Anonymous"?!!! Use your
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 2:03 PM PDT.
"Anonymous"?!!!
Use your real name or don't post. People who post and "hide" behind "anonymous" or pseudonyms :are not worthy"! What are you afraid of?????????
Finally a voice of reason
Submitted by vix (not verified) on Wed Jul. 15, 2009 8:51 AM PDT.
Thank you anonymous for reminding people of what actually happened that day at the club. Isn't it interesting that the other 2 daycares who were refunded thought they were treated fairly (even though they had some minority children as well). Having visited a private swim club I sympathize with the people who pay a large monthly fee for privacy only to have 65 children and big kids dumped into the small shallow end of their pool. Those types of crowds are dangerous and if this pool is like the ones I've visited, the daytime crowd is single mothers with small children in diapers who are not good swimmers. They must have been terrified for the safety of their children. I too would have gotten my child out of the pool immedately and complained to the management.
This is simply another case of the media and an ambulance chasing lawyer goading people into believing there is a problem when there isn't.
or maybe century?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 6:05 PM PDT.
or maybe century?
Not Philly
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed Jul. 8, 2009 6:45 PM PDT.
For what it's worth (and it's not worth much), this didn't happen in Philly. Visit the Valley Swim Club's website and note that it is in Montgomery County, which is a suburb of Philadelphia.
That does nothing for these kids, and I hope we here in Philly can do something.
I can't say that I am surprised
Submitted by SoulKeeper on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 12:49 AM PDT.
I grew up in Northeast Philly and drove a taxi there for more years than I care to remember. I know exactly where the Valley Swim Club is and technically it is outside the city limits but not by much. I'd say a couple of blocks at most.
Unless the city has changed drastically in the 12 years since I lived there, the neighborhoods were always segregated. I remember a family of color moving into the Bridesburg neighborhood in the late 80's, early 90's. They had their home spray painted, windows busted out, etc.
Racism in Philly should not shock anyone especially if you were born and raised there. Remember Frank Rizzo?
What?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 4:54 AM PDT.
What don't you understand about the words "private club"??????
Valley Swim Club incident
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 6:40 AM PDT.
What I don't understand about private in this issue is that the day camp's money was accepted and they were scheduled for that day. So if the club was so 'private' that should have never happened. And actually, I would rather not hang out in a place that is so poorly run, and specializes in showcasing such idiotic behavior.
Private pool
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 10:51 AM PDT.
It was no longer private when it accepted the money to let these kids swim. What part of that don't you understand?
The children's camp director
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 2:06 PM PDT.
The children's camp director paid $1900 to use the "private" club! That made them "members" right!
It doesn't matter that it is
Submitted by P Barletta (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 2:25 PM PDT.
It doesn't matter that it is a private club. They already accepted the money for the use of the pool. At that point, kicking out the minority people and refunding their money becomes a racist action unfitting in today's day and age. I think Obama should go and visit and see if they kick him out! Actually, whites are becoming the minority population in the US, what will they do then!
the letter i wrote to duesler today
Submitted by jackie sheeler (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 8:15 AM PDT.
which will also be posted on my blog tomorrow, with links:
Dear Mr. Duesler:
Just letting you know that I – and likely several thousand other bloggers – will be writing about the blatantly (and breezily acknowledged) racist practices demonstrated this week at the Valley Swim Club.
This kind of discrimination is, as you must know, against the law. It’s also not a very astute move on the part of the Club, as it has already focused a very negative national spotlight on your activities.
Worse than the illegality of this action is its lack of compassion and broad-sightedness. Your other patrons are “afraid” of allowing their children to swim with black children? Then it was incumbent upon you, as a leader at the Club, to ensure that the environment remained safe for all parties, and to encourage all of the children to mix, mingle and play together.
That is how true leaders help, bit by bit, to improve the world and bring people together. Your actions today were both small-minded and fearful. I invite you to take a bold step into true leadership, welcome the day camp children back to the pool, and throw your authority, personality and staff wholeheartedly into whatever effort it takes to make the integration work.
It might be a whole lot easier than you, or the supposedly terrified white parents, anticipate. Children are not born racists, they are taught to be racists. Don’t be part of that kind of teaching; be bigger than that. You can do it.
Most sincerely,
Jackie Sheeler
Looks like they've already
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 8:26 AM PDT.
Looks like they've already gone into e-hiding and yanked their website.
Private club
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 10:53 AM PDT.
Hope they are forced to close this place. The ACLU should go after them as well as the NAACP. Get their shiney white butts.
of the year...????
Submitted by Erica (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 9:58 AM PDT.
as much as i like mother jones, it seems pretty irresponsible to report this as the possible racist outrage of the year...or even the day. why are people so shocked and surprised? this piece of awful news has been reported, but to suggest that this is the pinnacle of racist experiences all over the country for the day, much less the year, seems to deny the fact that this kind of thing goes on all the time and everywhere. even if people aren't as bold and outspoken about their biases, this isn't some kind of throw-back attitude unfortunately. some club members made comments and the club itself made the decision "privately" not thinking it would make the news...and most often people's comments and actions don't make the news. reporting it is definitely a good and important thing, but i think it's naive and dangerous to treat this not as one of the many many examples of racism around us but as one that's not in everyone's backyard if they pay attention. we know that racism is institutionalized, but it's because individuals are racist. we seem to take for granted that there's institutional racism woven throughout society, so why are we so shocked when we hear explicitly racist people say what they think? interestingly, the expressions of shock and outrage on facebook (among my friends) are all being posted by white folks. obviously, african-americans are upset about it as well, but i don't think we'd dare claim it's the racist outrage of the day, week or year, sad as that may be.
We'll delete any racist comments
Submitted by Clara Jeffery on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 9:59 AM PDT.
But if you reply to them, your comments get deleted too. Try not to rise to their bait. Or simply post without using the reply function.
Whites should stop pretending to be shocked?
Submitted by E.E. (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 10:10 AM PDT.
There seems there is a popular meme regarding this story insofar has how people "should" be reacting to it. I have to admit I'm sort of getting irritated with the whole "Oh, Whites shouldn't be surprised. This happens a lot." tripe. It's almost as if being surprised by the injustice makes us false or civil liberty bandwagoners, like our anger and frustration of these kind of incidents happening is coming from some patronizing place. Well, I don't look at human injustice as some kind of hobby. And I, like anyone, else have the right to express it.
This incident is wrong plain and simple and if I feel the need to express feeling that way. Dammit I ****ing will.
Contact information for the Valley Club
Submitted by T. Butler (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 10:40 AM PDT.
They may have yanked their website, but Google is your friend. The cached version of the contact page reveals this information:
Physical Address:
22 Tomlinson Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 134, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
Club Phone Number:
215-947-0700
Club E-mail:
info@thevalleyclub.com
Let me tell you about a 'racist' outrage ... !
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 12:08 PM PDT.
A former member of the U.S. Congress, while on a humanitarian mission to an embattled, terrorized and impoverished people who are living in a concentration-camp of a region, is subsequently imprisoned by sailors representing a foreign government. AND NOT ONE MEMBER OF THE U.S. CONGRESS goes on ANY news outlet to express utter outrage at this contemptuous act!! Did I mention that the former member of congress is an African American female?? If you ask me, THIS is the racist outrage of year. Because notwithstanding that the offending sailor and his government happens to be the State of Israel, holy grail that it seems to be, you can be sure that had it been a WHITE former member of Congress, and God Forbid, a blonde-haired FEMALE member, we may not even have noticed that Michael Jackson passed away for the media-crati that would have been falling all over itself to "report" the latest and bloodiest piece of gossip-passing-for-newsworthy information.
This kind of ongoing, gnawing, under-the-radar-humming type of oversight, where Black people's lives and issues are ignored, (unless the information is reinforcing some kind of stereotype or perhaps counter-stereotype), is the kind of racism that kills slowly but ever so surely. It's death by a thousand paper cuts. The country club incident, like the Rutgers women's basketball team insults, are simply the ones that many White people can somehow relate to. Being pushed out, or disrespected. This is something that Whites understand. It is much harder for Whites to relate to being ignored.
The Black kids at the country club will get over being discriminated against, and some will go on to their own successes, and the rest will live poor-to-regular lives. That's just what we Black folks have done since our ancestors were first taken captive and brought here. But the Whites who pushed them out of the club may never overcome the kind of ignorance that has them to remain blind to the conditions of others. That kind of ignorance will taint any success they could ever even think about achieving. Just as long as there are Black spirits that are wounded by that kind of racism, that's how long there will be White spirits that will remain un-evolved as being fully human. Hope my point is made. Not trying to cast aspersions on every single reader.
Thank you for your comments.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 2:16 PM PDT.
Thank you for your comments. I for one (caucasian) am mad as H*ll about what Israel did to the Congresswoman and all of the others on that ship! This incident has been widely reported on AirAmerica and other news sources. Isreal went into international waters and took this ship over and should face criminal charges in the world court. Israel is NOT a friend of America and is in fact casuing America great harm for the civil rights abuses and attrocities it has committed agains the Palestinian people! Israel and it's government and policies are partly what resulted in America being attacked on 9-11. I urge every American to call for a dratic reduction in the support America gives Israel. President Obama must take whatever steps are necessary to have Israel stop the attrocities and stop building on Palestinian soil! Amen!
I share the outrage, but in this case racism might be secondary
Submitted by Jennie (not verified) on Sat Jul. 11, 2009 4:39 PM PDT.
I just found out about the Israeli hijacking, thanks to a Noam Chomsky commentary, and I too was outraged. His commentary mentioned nothing about her being black, simply that this outrageous and despicable act had been committed and had hummed under the radar of the American media, which is absolutely true, since I read my local daily newspaper, read several left-leaning news magazines and watch several left-leaning news talk shows and yet had somehow heard nothing about this. I would venture to say, however, that in this case, while there could be an element of racism involved (re the claim if she were white, it would have gotten media attention), I think the real reason we didn't hear much (if anything) about this is primarily for the reason Chomsky assigns it, the same one that dictates why we usually don't hear about anything negative our "friends" and client states say or do...because of certain elements of power (read: campaign financing) in the U.S., Israel is considered our friend to the end, and we cannot allow any breaking news that would encourage or justify outrage against Israel or public sentiment that could threaten our relationship with Israel. If one sticks to the mainstream press--even the so-called "liberal elite media"--one rarely hears any true criticism of Israel, despite the horrors they have inflicted, and continue to inflict, on the Palestinians. We talk about our "free press," but little is free, and those who pay hold power...not just over politicians, but also over our media.
Racist Outrage of the Day (Year?)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 1:18 PM PDT.
Jung 1875 - 1961
Anyone who wants to know the human psyche will learn next to nothing from experimental psychology. He would be better advised to abandon exact science, put away his scholar's gown, bid farewell to his study, and wander with human heart throught the world. There in the horrors of prisons, lunatic asylums and hospitals, in drab suburban pubs, in brothels and gambling-hells, in the salons of the elegant, the Stock Exchanges, socialist meetings, churches, revivalist gatherings and ecstatic sects, through love and hate, through the experience of passion in every form in his own body, he would reap richer stores of knowledge than text-books a foot thick could give him, and he will know how to doctor the sick with a real knowledge of the human soul. -- Carl Jung
You think the country has it
Submitted by Grant (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 3:55 PM PDT.
You think the country has it bad? My family lives in that region. As for whether the club will be punished somehow, that depends on how long it remains in the news. If it was a public matter or involved work relations it would be far easier to punish, but if I understand correctly the club may be completely private and therefore the government would have little to charge them with (unfortunate but true). Aside from the state or federal government it might be possible to use a civil suit to ruin the club depending on business law.
Racism is only another word for Ignorance
Submitted by Rob the Alchemist (not verified) on Thu Jul. 9, 2009 8:34 PM PDT.
Racism is ignorance, pure and simple. It is nothing more than our delusional sense of how we think we should deal with people who are different than ourselves. It is ignorant to believe that the color of your skin is either an honor or a shame. And even well-intentioned people continue to ignorantly perpetuate institutionalized racism - maybe because it works for them, but probably just because they don't know any better.
If we want to solve racism we need to start sending our children to college instead of the Middle East. It is ignorant to believe that at least a fraction of the $900 BILLION spent invading Iraq and Afghanistan, and Trillions more bailing out corrupt banks and businesses, couldn't be spent sending every person to university that wishes to go.
How can you even argue that increasing the education of our nation wouldn't lead to a greater understanding and respect for our common struggle as human beings, rather than just as races or nationalities? Sure, there are plenty of individuals who manage to escape university, still being somewhat ignorant on some levels, but on a larger scope this plan would do much more good for the cause of racial equality.
Our country's finances are completely ludicrous. Someone once told me that you could see where a person's heart is by observing where they spend their money. If our country was to be personified in this way, it would appear as an angry child who spends all his money blowing up creatures with fireworks, and beating up on younger kids for their lunch money when he runs out.
Without education, democracy is simply impossible and racism will continue to be used to keep us fighting against each other so we won't be able to see the real story.
yet another...
Submitted by HenryClay (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 2:53 AM PDT.
So, some swim club decides to raise extra money by letting some day camps use the club, at least three of them according to news accounts, only one of which was mostly minority kids. The day camps show up en masse, fill up the pool, the club realizes it was a mistake and cancels all the contracts.
Two weeks later, one of the kids in one of the clubs says that one of the members said something that could be construed as racist, the press wrangles an unfortunately worded statement from the President of the club, and suddenly the club is a modern-day Bull Connor.
Cries of racism are pretty much the left's equivalent to the right's constant cries of unpatriotic. At the very least, this is obviously as much about class as about race, which I have no doubt everyone realizes. One of the least attractive things about the right is the way they try to ruin average people at random because of the outrage of the day.
It's not particularly attractive on this side either.
Recent reports show that the
Submitted by MacGruber on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 5:38 AM PDT.
Recent reports show that the private club does have minority members and - surprise! - those minority members also asked to have ALL the day campers removed and have their money refunded. All the day campers, not just the black ones.
Of course, the media jumps on this story weeks after the fact and parades around a child who remembers someone saying something racist.
Riiiiight.
I wonder if the kid got a call from Al Sharpton (after his stirring eulogy at Michael Jackson's funeral, of course).
It was a private club. It refunded all the money to all the campers, whites and minority alike.
This is not racism.
The only racists are the liberals in the media, looking to drum up a story to prop up sagging revenues.
their sites down, here's their contact info
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 11:14 AM PDT.
The public email and phone number for The Valley Swim Club is 215-947-0700 and info@thevalleyclub.com. The President of the club is John Duesler. Their website is blocked, but emails and phone calls still work
Caddyshack scene
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 11:24 AM PDT.
Reminds me of the pool scene in Caddyshack movie where the members are aghast when the rowdy caddy crowd invades the pool screaming, pushing in lifeguards, etc.
Seems to me the negative member reaction is not just about racism. To recap the facts:
1) It's another sleepy day at the country club. Kids are swimming, playing shuffle board. Moms are playing bridge. If it's a weekend, dads are around playing poker. Big group of young children comes in to this busolic country club setting laughing, pushing, screaming in the way all kids do;
2) These visiting kids are unfamiliar with the ways country clubs work. They're stripping of their clothes, jumping into the water near other people, not hearing or paying attention to lifeguard whistles;
3) These kids are black inner city kids, raised in tough schools, poverty, single-parent homes and with unfortunate role models. They're not like the white kids in the pool. They are aggressive, loud and probably just as disdainful and angry toward the privileged white kids as those white kids are of them. But the white kids aren't tough, don't use foul language and are scared - so they leave the pool and say mean things instead of the truth - that they are frightened and don't want to get insulted, intimidated or assaulted. They live in the suburbs, where their money separates them from minorities, so most of what they know is what they see in the media.
Truth is that the overwhelming majority of people in this circumstance would pull their kids closer, find an excuse to head home for the day and subsequently make clear their preference that the quiet country club they joined remain just that, a quiet country club without invading groups. This was a big, rowdy, aggressive group descending on a quiet country club. Why is anybody surprised that the members were frightened and upset?
Don't get me wrong. Racism (as with all 'isms') is wrong. It is unfair to judge anybody by anything other than that individuals merits. But in the real world, we all play the probability game in our head based on our preconceptions. The golden lab down the street could be vicious and the pit bull next door gentle as a lamb. But based on preconceptions, we don't let our children near the pit bull. Fair to the pit bull? No. Prudent? Yes. Violence, aggression, intimidation - these are issues of class and culture. And the person who says that they don't see the world through these preconceptions and act accordingly is probably not being truthful.
May not be fair. But that's the way it is everywhere and among people of all backgrounds.
This is not an endorsement of the club's or the members' actions or thoughtless comments. Just an attempt to understand what probably really happened that day...
"This was a big, rowdy, aggressive group descending ... "
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 12:55 PM PDT.
"Kids are swimming, playing shuffle board. Moms are playing bridge. If it's a weekend, dads are around playing poker. Big group of young children comes in to this busolic country club setting laughing, pushing, screaming in the way all kids do"
Wait - White kids are, "swimming, playing shuffle board." Black kids are, "laughing, pushing, screaming in the way all kids do." So what - White kids DON'T act, "the way all kids do," but Black kids DO? Which is it?
Anyway, how do you know that the white kids behaved so differently from the black ones? Did the news reports give that information? Tsk tsk. Your bias is showing.
Or is it that bigotry and prejudice are just a safe bet, and racism (the exercise of power and control, based on race) is just the unfortunate fallout.
You're an apologist and, by your own justifications, a racist. Just own it. It's not against the law. It IS against the law to discriminate, however. And when the discriminators operate beyond the reach of the law, due to private status, as did this country club, they certainly deserve whatever moral outrage the people can muster.
Re: caddyshack scene
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 8:17 PM PDT.
"This was a big, rowdy, aggressive group descending on a quiet country club. Why is anybody surprised that the members were frightened and upset?"
I'd like to know where you got your information from or are you just pulling things out of your a**? A white woman who was both a member of the club and present the day that the day-campers were booted was interviewed by the NBC local affiliate while she was protesting the actions of the Valley Swim club. According to her, the children from the day camp were well-behaved and the pool was not crowded during the time that they were there. According to this woman (who was actually THERE), the booting of the children was clearly racist and the club was now back-peddling after all of the negative publicity. Thanks for your story, though. You'd make a good fairy tale writer.
Post-racial era my Aunt
Submitted by K. Smith (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 11:24 AM PDT.
Post-racial era my Aunt Fanny!
"Get their shiney white butts."
Submitted by Cynthia (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 11:28 AM PDT.
"Get their shiney white butts."
Oh please. How embarrassing for you.
re: Caddyshack scene
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 12:06 PM PDT.
i think your comments are dead-on. your explanation of the probable happenings of that occasion is the most realistic i've read so far and most likely captures the truth of that event. thank you for your valuable insights.
Innate rascism?
Submitted by Suspek (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 12:28 PM PDT.
Is there such a thing as what I term as "innate rascism"?
A 'mission' for the Obamas!
Submitted by JimRinX on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 12:31 PM PDT.
Me thinks the POTUS, et al, should go for a little swim - at the valley Swim Club, of course!
Let's see those creeps throw THEM out!
JimRinX
Or just plain...?
Submitted by Suspek (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 12:36 PM PDT.
Ignorance. "Fear of the Unknown" sort of thing? Probably. Or, at least I hope so, for the sake of our society. SUPPORT EDUCATION!
Valley Swim Club
Submitted by mimigee (not verified) on Fri Jul. 10, 2009 7:06 PM PDT.
Someone should tell those not very bright members of the Valley Swim Club that we're all minorities! Who do they think they are?
Kudos to Girard College.
Hate's Heritage
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat Jul. 11, 2009 5:39 PM PDT.
Racism is about rolling downhill.
This next generation is not as bigotted as the last one, but the truth is that, since the Civil War in America, we are ever locked into the unrelenting re-fomentation that would have been eliminated had the South through its leaders stood forth and apologized. Apologized with tangible sincerity.
Apologies for groups and organizations of people work within the same dynamics that personal, one-on-one apologies do, as any good healer can attest. That is to say, I apologize to you, and I am quits. If you accept my apology, you are quits. If you do not, or pretend to and don't, you are still carrying the resentment. Even if the North pre se was to refuse the apology, or many Blacks refused or distrusted it, the South would initiate loosening of its burden and well on its way to healing if it did.
Apologies work inversely and true--if done with total commitment, total release--if measured, measured in result. Any apology that begins with "if I have offended anyone at all . . " is bogus and politick, of course.
But American office holders from the South continue to talk in winks and nuance, always emitting somehow the suggestion of how their true inner feelings of hate are still intact, in spite of the drama of their solicited posturings. One remembers how Mississippi's T Lott wiped away all his pretense of not being bigotted by a simple statement praising one of Dixie's most racist Dixicats. Dixie's clergy, too, through inactivity as well as surreptious compliance to racism, fare no better under the objective lens.
Dixie (probably a closer specific that "South") could have done the unparsable Christian thing, but they did nothing of the sort. They hunkered in for non-repentance, embraced their seethings, and though slithering more carefully, maintained every vein of hate they held. The rest of America permitted them their recalcitrance.
Imagine if several well-known, respected denizens of the South were to stand up and deliver, creating a national holiday, piloted by a sincere and congruent apology for the wrongs--all of them--that were committed, and because of the prideful defiance, continue to be committed, initiated a new call to repent, and then calling for promise to pass the baton, whenever possible, to participatorily monitor and bolster the sincerity of the contrition.
Imagine them doing so until the Blacks heard, and saw that it was meant.
