Racism alive and well in Philly, Black and Brown kids kicked out of pool

John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club in statement to NBC Philadelphia : "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club,"

The only way to deal with this story is to spread it far and wide. The above quote from John Duesler just shows how hateful and ignorant people are in this day and age. We will give the benefit of the doubt to any Valley Swim Club member or employee provided they resign immediately, those that remain will be presumed to agree with Mr. Duesler's statement and decision to kick the campers out.

Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion" Campers sent packing after first visit to swim club

By KAREN ARAIZA

Updated 3:01 PM EDT, Wed, Jul 8, 2009

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."
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