Racism exists in 2009. The "average" American would deny such a statement, while turning a blind eye to rascist incidents since the Civil Rights' Movement. A racist incident against children, therefore, wouldn't raise a brow in the '60s, but the recent election of an African-American president contradicts such an event taking place. In early Summer 2009, officials of a swim club in Philadelphia signed an agreement with The Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa, allowing its members (mostly children) to swim at The Valley Club every Monday afternoon. At first, all seemed like child's play, but in late June, minority youths complained of racial slurs towards them.
Camp director of The Creative Steps' (the Philadelphia-based swim club), Alethea Wright, noted statements such as, "What are those blacks kids doing here?," against its members. When Wright addressed The Valley Club's officials, nonetheless, she overheard a woman stating that The Creative Steps should never return. In early July, The Valley Club granted the camp a full refund, surprisingly without an explanation as to why.
The camp's main supporters--parents of the victimized children--are in disbelief and some are seeking legal counseling. Parents throughout Pennsylvania, in accordance, have commenced protests against The Valley Cub, while the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, ordered by the NAACP, have begun inquires against the Huntingdon Valley's "selective" club.
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***1) http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jmhe8jGf3hU6--u4ld9FIP9xfL5QD99B8TA80
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