Tell Me Again How Electing Obama Changed Everything

The instant analysis/commentary nature of the internet makes me feel like I’m a bit late on this; but I suppose better late than never. And I think this incident is important, not only as an individual example of racism, but as a representation of the many untold incidents like it that happen across the country everyday.

Please note that a significant portion of this entry has been cut and pasted from two stories on the Philadelphia-area NBC affiliate's website. You may view those stories here and here.

Earlier this week 65 Black children from Creative Steps Day Camp in Philadelphia were kicked out of the private Valley Swim Club.

Creative Steps paid The Valley Swim Club more than $1900 for one day of swimming a week, but after the first day, the money was quickly refunded and the campers were told not to return.

"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. 
 


"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.

The situation left the camp and the campers facing the possibility of not having a place to swim for the rest of the summer. So the staff at Girard College, a private Philadelphia boarding school for children who live in low-income and single parent homes, stepped in and offered their pool.

"We had to help," said Girard College director of Admissions Tamara Leclair. "Every child deserves an incredible summer camp experience."

The school already serves 500 campers of its own, but felt they could squeeze in 65 more – especially since the pool is vacant on the day the Creative Steps had originally planned to swim at Valley Swim Club.

"I'm so excited," camp director Alethea Wright exclaimed. There are still a few logistical nuisances -- like insurance -- the organizations have to work out, but it seems the campers will not stay dry for long.

And to sweeten the deal, the owners of Gumdrops & Sprinkles treated the kids to a free day of candy and ice cream making.

The banning has caused so much controversy that U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) plans to launch an investigation into the discrimination claim.

"The allegations against the swim club as they are reported are extremely disturbing," Specter said in a statement. "I am reaching out to the parties involved to ascertain the facts. Racial discrimination has no place in America today."

The cutting and pasting segment of this entry ends here.

Unfortunately, I can't say that this incident surprises me. It disgusts and angers me, but it doesn't surprise me. In addition to anger and disgust, I'm left with the following feelings and questions:

1. Why, in the little national media attention that this story has received (an issue unto itself), is anyone making the point that this is somehow more surprising because it happened in the Northeast and not the South? Ever been to Philly? Or Boston? Or any other city in the NE? See much celebration of diversity? These cities are as racist and segregated as they come. I'm tired of the South being portrayed as more racist than other parts of the country. It may play out differently, but the end result is pretty similar. See this piece for more on this issue.

2. How many more incidents like this do we need to silent the voices who claim racism is no longer an issue in America? Oh, and by the way, the head of the club that kicked these kids out is a liberal Obama supporter and head of the Philly area Peace Action group.

3. Where are the civil rights activists from the right who were so concerned about the nomination of Judge Sotomayor for the Supreme Court based on the fact that they claimed she is a racist? I'm waiting for Newt, Buchanan, Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh and the rest of their little conservatives concerned about racism group to start screaming. Still waiting....