Private Pool Club Kicks Out Minority Kids Who Might "Change The Complexion" (VIDEO)

A potentially upsetting story coming out of Philadelphia: a group of 60 young campers, many of them minorities, were told to leave a private swimming club apparently because of their race.

Some of the disheartening details:

"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 Creative Steps Day Camp's membership was suspended by the swimming club and the money they paid to join was refunded.

Watch a report from NBC Philadelphia.

Comments

[mark12345]

Of all the cities I've lived and visited in the American South ,Philadelphia Pa is the most racist. There are racially discriminating pools,bars social clubs and schools (U Penn is the largest) in the heart of West Philly.

Born, raised,and have lived there as recently as 2007.

[medic628]

Philly has always been that way followed closely by Boston.

[WowJones]

Chicago

[missviv]

It's horrible that these kids have to go through this. As a minority you're made to recognize your race at such an early age, even if you don't comprehend it you know society is going to treat you differently just because of the color of your skin. The first time I experienced outright racism was when I was 4, and even though I didn't understand why certain things were said to me it left a horrible impression. It's awful that children of color have to go through this and its a sign that no matter how much people want to pretend like we're in some kind of 'post-race' era - racism is alive and well and ugly as ever in America. My heart goes out to these kids who have been left with such an ugly memory.

[Ohioan730]

The moment a black child realizes that the world thinks there's something wrong with it--for some reason, I call that The Black Awakening. Its mentally traumatic for a child.

[dibabe]

oh yeah obama and oprah live with that everyday -eyes roll

[Donns]

City of brotherly love my a**

[Debby Lyn]

Only white Americans should be shocked at this story; minorities live with this everyday.

[simplelivingmama]

No. It's everyones shock and everyones problem. Racism flies from every direction. What a sickening story. I hope they get closed down immediately.

[dibabe]

in Los Angeles, the mexicans and the blacks are fighting. The mexicans want them out of their hoods lol

[mark12345]

Massive protest every day until their business is kkkaput. Photo the membership.

Sue them and take those 10 acres.

[lovethesinner]

If I don't see Sharpton, Jackson (Jesse) and just about everybody there tomorrow morning, I might just have to fly out from California myself. I just took my blood pressure medication, and donated a hundred dollars to the SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER, and it ain't getting it done. That guy on the steps who said he would call the police... I want to see him say that to ten thousand faces. (of all colors)

[AntiRethuglican]

WTF??? What year is this? This is clearly illegal and this private swim "club" needs to be charged and brought to court.

[dibabe]

anyone who protests obama is a racist right? blacks hate gays! they say "don't equate ,my skin with your sin"

[GiveUsFree]

Well, we know you definitely are a racist. You racist!

[joeyhegele]

Well, we know you definitely are a homophobe. You homophobe!

[TheIvoryPoacher]

I've lived in Philly for about 5 years, and there isn't blatant racism [no one is going to come out and spit in your face] - but there are A LOT of people there, just in having conversations with people and observing mannerisms, who look at blacks as inferior.

[WowJones]

I don't know many place were it's not what you described. Chicago is the same way.

[dibabe]

You should come to NYC to see race relations most white people are afraid of blacks

[pinkypeterson]

This is so wrong!
I'm sure John Duesler and his staff are think church goers.
This is something these kids will never forget.

[IQ]

The public email and phone number for The Valley Swim Club is
215-947-0700 and thevalleyclub.comb.com.
The President of the club is John Duesler.

[IQ]

Keep in mind this is not in Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans or
some small back water town in Mississippi or South Carolina.
This is Philadelphia Pennsylvania!! This kind of thing can easily
occur anywhere. When we assume that all the battles have been
won these incidents become more prevalent. We all need to be
ever vigilant in our desire for Real CHANGE. Change not just for
well educated, connected, solidly middle class African Americans
and other minorities; but change for folks who can still be easily
marginalized by a strain of racism that unfortunately still
exist in Our Country

[DeAnnaClaudette]

Well, we can't have all of those "pure" kids frolicking with other "species," now can we?

[lovethesinner]

The only good thing about this story is it reminded me to renew my annual donation to the SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER:

https://secure.splcenter.org/donate/online/online.jsp

As soon as my blood pressure medicine kicks in, I'm heading right there.

[furious styles]

It's okay. We have an African American president now. No worries. This doesn't matter.

[robXdion]

LOL!! Yes, Obama will speak and rainbows will shine down on North Philly like the Jackson's "Can You Feel It" video of yore. I wonder how many people will remember who your screen name refers to?

[WowJones]

LB in "Boys in the Hood".

[Ohioan730]

LMAO @ the "Can You Feel It" video.

[MaxBet]

How can people do this?

Just when I would like to think we are past at least some racism, it pops it's evil head!

The people that run/own that pool have just wrecked their own lives. They will have to sell the pool and their houses, move away and most likely change their names to try and get away from the fallout from this. But, eventually wherever they go this will follow them. "Oh-I didn't realize-that you were the racists from the TV."