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goodmornin · Jul 8th, 2009, 03:55 PM

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...omplexion.html

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.

"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.

Watch the video to hear what they say.....

"..the kids will change the complexion and atmosphere of the club" WTF???

Jahpson · Jul 8th, 2009, 04:00 PM

~Fabulousity~ · Jul 8th, 2009, 04:15 PM

What!!

chloe777 · Jul 8th, 2009, 04:21 PM

WOW!! I have no words cause all the ones I want to say will get me banned or someone will get upset.

Glamfoxx · Jul 8th, 2009, 07:51 PM

I feel so bad for those kids, they are all so disappointed. We should all be disappointed and outraged that this happened... What is wrong with people?

caitlin1214 · Jul 8th, 2009, 07:55 PM

I'm sorry, is this an article from the 1960's?

Did they have to drain and clean the pool because Dorothy Dandridge dipped her toe in the water?

HauteMama · Jul 8th, 2009, 08:00 PM

Although private institutions are allowed to make whatever rules they wish, I think they ought to be forced to post said rules so everyone knows what kind of backwards, racist, hateful place they are. They shouldn't be able to charade as a place for all children to play and then turn away those they dislike.

Panda1 · Jul 8th, 2009, 08:09 PM

I am disgusted at how these children were treated. It wasn't as if they were misbehaving or caused trouble but because they were of another race. I see a big lawsuit coming and it doesn't look good for the swim club.

truegem · Jul 8th, 2009, 08:19 PM

I read this article earlier and it is just a true showing that racism is alive and well in America. Please stop telling me it's not.

print*model · Jul 8th, 2009, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by HauteMama

Although private institutions are allowed to make whatever rules they wish, I think they ought to be forced to post said rules so everyone knows what kind of backwards, racist, hateful place they are. They shouldn't be able to charade as a place for all children to play and then turn away those they dislike.

They can make rules however they wish just as long as they don't break civil rights laws. This place clearly did. If I were a parent, I would be looking for a new pool and a lawyer.

meela188 · Jul 8th, 2009, 09:13 PM

This is so disheartening, it really is, to children no less. I hope the camp and parents sue the pants off of the club.

samoXenina · Jul 8th, 2009, 09:36 PM

i agree there should be a lawsuit.."change the complexion" wtf...why did they take their money if they knew they were going to kick the kids out anyway...

WhitleyGilbert · Jul 8th, 2009, 09:41 PM

I hope they are sued down to the last cent and be forced to close down as a result.

What a disgrace!

Glamfoxx · Jul 8th, 2009, 09:43 PM

I'd like to add that I would like nothing better than for this pool club or whatever it is to get the CRAP sued right out of them.

HauteMama · Jul 8th, 2009, 11:16 PM

I would love if this place could be sued out of business, but I thought that Civil Rights laws only applied to places that received federal financial funds. I hope I'm wrong.

Jul 8th, 2009, 03:55 PM	#1
goodmornin OP yanko Joined: May 2006 Location: San Francisco! Posts: 2,268	Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion" http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...omplexion.html 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. "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. Watch the video to hear what they say..... "..the kids will change the complexion and atmosphere of the club" WTF???
	__________________ ~My Dream Lver List...~ 1) YSL Cage Bootie in Black Patent 38 2) Lanvin Flats in Patent Black 37.5 3) YSL Tribute Sandals in Navy 39 4) YSL Teal or Sky Anthracite Besace 5) Spring clothes! Last edited by goodmornin; Jul 8th, 2009 at 03:59 PM.

Jul 8th, 2009, 04:00 PM	#2
Jahpson Member Joined: Aug 2007 Location: The Playground Posts: 22,347
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Jul 8th, 2009, 04:15 PM	#3
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,911	What!!
~Fabulousity~ Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 12,911

Jul 8th, 2009, 04:21 PM	#4
chloe777 fall is here yay!! Joined: Mar 2008 Location: LA the state Posts: 1,633	WOW!! I have no words cause all the ones I want to say will get me banned or someone will get upset.
	__________________

Jul 8th, 2009, 07:51 PM	#5
Glamfoxx Member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,391	I feel so bad for those kids, they are all so disappointed. We should all be disappointed and outraged that this happened... What is wrong with people?
Glamfoxx Member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,391

Jul 8th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#6
caitlin1214 You just got slapped Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada (Eh?) Posts: 22,431	I'm sorry, is this an article from the 1960's? Did they have to drain and clean the pool because Dorothy Dandridge dipped her toe in the water?
	__________________ If we could take the time To lay it on the line I could rest my head Just knowin' that you were mine November Rain - Guns N' Roses

Jul 8th, 2009, 08:00 PM	#7
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,834	Although private institutions are allowed to make whatever rules they wish, I think they ought to be forced to post said rules so everyone knows what kind of backwards, racist, hateful place they are. They shouldn't be able to charade as a place for all children to play and then turn away those they dislike.
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,834

Jul 8th, 2009, 08:09 PM	#8
Panda1 Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 260	I am disgusted at how these children were treated. It wasn't as if they were misbehaving or caused trouble but because they were of another race. I see a big lawsuit coming and it doesn't look good for the swim club.
Panda1 Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 260

Jul 8th, 2009, 08:19 PM	#9
truegem Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,353	I read this article earlier and it is just a true showing that racism is alive and well in America. Please stop telling me it's not.
truegem Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,353	__________________ Twitter Anyone-- http://www.twitter.com/takij

Jul 8th, 2009, 09:13 PM	#11
meela188 Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,708	This is so disheartening, it really is, to children no less. I hope the camp and parents sue the pants off of the club.
meela188 Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,708

Jul 8th, 2009, 09:36 PM	#12
samoXenina New Addiction Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 854	i agree there should be a lawsuit.."change the complexion" wtf...why did they take their money if they knew they were going to kick the kids out anyway...
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Jul 8th, 2009, 09:41 PM	#13
WhitleyGilbert Beautiful.Dirty.Rich Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 906	I hope they are sued down to the last cent and be forced to close down as a result. What a disgrace!
	Last edited by WhitleyGilbert; Jul 8th, 2009 at 09:55 PM.

Jul 8th, 2009, 09:43 PM	#14
Glamfoxx Member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,391	I'd like to add that I would like nothing better than for this pool club or whatever it is to get the CRAP sued right out of them.
Glamfoxx Member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,391

Jul 8th, 2009, 11:16 PM	#15
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,834	I would love if this place could be sued out of business, but I thought that Civil Rights laws only applied to places that received federal financial funds. I hope I'm wrong.
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,834

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