No doubt most of us have heard of the incident this week where a group of 60+ day campers were removed from a private swimming club. The staff and children say it's because the club is racist - the club denies the allegations.
What it comes down to is that the day campers had paid nearly two thousand dollars for swimming privileges at the club. As the kids arrived, they said that club members wanted to know why "black kids" were there and said some parents talked about the campers "doing something" to the kids or "stealing something". The daycampers were asked to leave and their payment was refunded.
The campers claim racism and the club claims they under-estimated the amount of children coming in. There was not enough room in the pools.
One rather sad on-camera interview was of a little boy who cried and lamented that even today, it's tough being black and people point and whisper. Quite heart-breaking to see the little boy cry like that and to know that at this age, and in this day and age, he is made to feel this way.
We have no idea if racism was to play. Some members may indeed have been upset. Paying dues to a private club usually ensures an uncrowded space. An additional 60+ people would be an annoyance. Our old apartment community had a private pool and residents were allowed to use the swimming pool, and each resident could bring one guest. I remember rolling my eyes when I'd see residents bringing in all their cousins and friends because the pool ended up packed and I was no longer able to swim. Other residents complained to the management. And they had every right to. So this reaction to 60+ extra people is normal!
But if racism is at play, this must not allowed to be 'normal'. I'm not sure how the club didn't know 60 kids were coming. Surely they would have asked for a head count and the fees would have been associated with the amount of kids coming in. More worrisome is the statement made by the club's president ""There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club." It's understandable how an additional 60+ kids would change an "atmosphere" (when we have playdates in our home, the "atmosphere" does indeed change as more kids come over!) Using the word "complexion" is either very racist or a very poor choice, under these circumstances. The president did concede that his choice of words was bad and that he's not used to making statements or speaking on camera. In other words - he doesn't have that smooth, polished and political way of speaking. That's understandable. They said they knew the kids were from "the city" (this may mean they knew they were minority kids) but a major issue was that the club was unaware that many of the daycampers could not swim and thus had to be removed. This too, is understandable. Kids who cannot swim should not be playing in deep swimming pools!
Maybe we'll never know what really happened but it's a sad day when a small child is made to feel bad for being born the way he is. But for now, it seems that each side is adamant that their interpretation of the event is correct.
Tell Us
Have you or your children been affected by something like this? How would you explain this incident to your child?
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment7 Comments
You know I could not understand what the big deal about using the N word among ourselves was for a long time. I know that we can say it to each other and it was love! We took something bad and made it good but the white folks could take it. But some felt that using it that way caused people to become unaffected by it. So I made sure I stopped my little nephews because that don't quiet know the reason for the hurt and pain. This incident has made me more angry and single mindedly focused. My mind is set on making sure that when minorites are discriminated against we recognize it. That little boy knew that it was wrong and out of the mouths of babes come clarity. Ever since Obama was Elected I try to be more patient with whites and how they do us. They act as though we are always giving them the shaft when stuff like this happens.
July 14, 2009 - 9:29pmThis Comment
I'm Eurasian, look more Asian than Euro, and am married to an Anglo-Slovenian. My kids looked mixed, my boys are often mistaken for Hispanic and my daughter for Japanese (I'm actually part Chinese). We live in a neighborhood that once made me feel as though I must have been the only Asian within 50 miles. My boys had to deal with racism, until the neighborhood "complexion" started changing with the influx of East Indians and Pacific Asians lured here by our IT industry. It's very difficult as a parent to have to address ignorant behavior toward your children and try to explain the situation to them.
I was a Deb, as well, way back when, and criticized for having a non-Asian escort - go figure! It just goes to show that racism exists even among "ethnic" groups.
July 13, 2009 - 6:51pmThis Comment
Oooh yes, it does exist among ethnic groups, and big-time!! My Korean ex-in-laws absolutely hated me due to my race, and their openly racist and degrading behavior towards me (and my ex's complacency towards their behavior) was what ended our 22-year relationship.
July 13, 2009 - 7:49pmThis Comment
I do feel for you! I had the same experience with my DH's very prejudiced mom while she was still alive. I think a lot of it came from postwar anti-Asian sentiment she still harbored. My mom was confronted with that after WWII, as well.
My hubby felt a bit of that antagonism directed toward him by my Asian mom, I think more out of her resentment for having been treated so badly postwar. But, my dad is of mixed heritage and very European looking. Go figure that mom would have a problem with my DH! But, that Asian tribalism is very strong. Fortunately, my DH learned to ignore my mother's attitude and she learned to back off. Our older son is seriously exploring his Asian heritage, which, of course, appeases the Asian mother gods, LOL!
July 13, 2009 - 8:05pmThis Comment
Sadly, there are plenty of private clubs like this around the country that exclude membership based on race. I know that seems crazy, but it's still fairly prevalent and perfectly legal.
I grew up in a very affluent area of Oklahoma City called Nichols HIlls. My grandparents and parents were members of the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, which used to exclude minorities from becoming members. (I'm not sure if they still do, that why I'm using past tense -- hoping the club has evolved since the 90's!) I was a debutante and once attended a deb party at the Country Club. My then-boyfriend (who later became my husband) was Korean-American, and he accompanied me to the party. He was the only minority at the party, (comprised of hundreds of people), besides the waiter staff. At one point during the party, one of the other guests handed my then-boyfriend an empty wine glass, thinking he was a waiter (he was wearing a tux). We were both so stunned by this, but he handled it with grace and simply smiled and handed the glass to a waiter.
I do get really frustrated whenever I hear these stories of clubs that exclude people based on their race or gender, and I don't understand it at all. You'd think we'd be further along than this, but in reality there are pockets of our country that are still existing in the dark ages.
July 13, 2009 - 5:08pmThis Comment
I think episodes like this are actually important. It seems like once every couple of years, some startling example comes up that shows us that we still aren't where we think we are on racism, that we still have a lot of work to do.
There will be a story on an all-night restaurant asking black patrons to leave, for instance. Or a story about a minority not being allowed in a private club (or a woman not being allowed in a men-only club). Or this story about the swimming pool. And it shakes us up a little, because we'd like to think we're farther along down the path to eradicating racism than we really are.
These stories get our attention. And if it changes things, then it's all for the good. At least now we can say to that little boy who was so upset, "Don't listen to those people. You can grow up to be President."
July 13, 2009 - 8:51amThis Comment
Racism is blatantly still an issue for certain races. My very good friend is a white gal who tends to be attracted to black men and her parents are constantly criticizing her about her choices in men. Why? This is the way they grew up from their parents. The parents are in their late 40s early 50s.
This is the first time I heard this story but it appears to me that it is obviously racism. This should not be tolerated. My background is very diverse and I am so sick and tired of hearing about racism in this day of age. The United States is probably the biggest melting pot there is when it comes to diversity. Can't we all just get along?
The best way to stop this disrespect of a race is to teach our children about diversity and differences yet similarities. I was never brought up to think that a certain race was bad. I think many people that are prejudice are fearful of that race. Plain and simple. What are they so scared of?
Racism is all over history, but now is the time to stop. No one is better then the next person. We all have our pros and cons. I hope this may be a learning lesson for people who are prejudice.
July 11, 2009 - 9:04amThis Comment