Racism at the Pool

For my daughter the moment came in kindergarten. Even though she was the only African American girl in her classroom, she made friends easily, adored her teacher, and was growing in confidence as a student. Then in May, just a few weeks from the year's end it happened. She and a little white boy were playing together at recess as they had done all year when he looked at her and said, "You know, I would like you better if you would take off your brown skin and put on some white skin."

It was 2008 and we live in a liberal enclave in the Northeast.

She was confused, hurt, and surprised when she told the story. She wasn't completely sure what it meant, but I could hear in her voice the creeping, sticky shame of inferiority. I sat listening with my stomach in my feet and a voice in my head screaming, "Not yet. It's only kindergarten. Not yet. Not yet."

I had a similar reaction when I first heard the story about the racism at a pool just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . A group of black and Latino children from Philadelphia's's Creative Steps Summer Day Camp were turned away from the predominately white Valley Swim Club because "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club." They were turned away despite the fact that the day camp paid $1900 and prearranged the swimming period. It appears the core resistance to the presence of black and brown children came from white adult members of the pool.

When I read the story I felt that familiar sick feeling that black adults have when we witness our children encounter nasty, old-fashioned racism for the first time. So many of us have these stories ourselves. Whether we grew up in black communities, mixed ones, or largely white neighborhoods, in the North or the South, urban or rural, we remember the first time. The first time we were called "Nigger." The first time a teacher explained "Nigger means black person." The moment our friends declined to invite us over because their parents didn't want us in the house. The first brutally racist joke whose punch line we still remember decades later.

Because we have these stories we suspect that a similar day of encounter will come for our nieces, sons, sisters, and grandkids, but we hope we can delay it. We hope it will be softer for them than it was for us. We allow ourselves to hope that maybe, just maybe, this generation will be different. We keep believing the doors we opened will stay open long enough for them to pass through unscathed. Then some racist, selfish grown folk turn our precious children away from a pool in the heat of summer as though their blackness is an infection that will spread through the water.

The policy advocate in me says its time to find a lawyer. It's time to collect evidence, time to call for a boycott, public demonstration, and letter writing campaign. Many in the Philadelphia area have begun those efforts.

The parent in me just wants to say ENOUGH. I hate that these young people will never forget the summer of 2009 because while their black President was addressing health care, and their Latina judge was being confirmed to the Supreme Court, they were being turned away from the white people's pool.

When the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 they cited evidence from psychologist Kenneth Clark's doll studies. The studies showed that African American children had a strong preference for white dolls. They attributed positive characteristics to white dolls and negative attributes to black dolls. Although the research design had serious flaws, Clark's study was crucial in convincing the justices of the deleterious psychological impact of white supremacy perpetrated through the segregation of children. These compelling data were important for demonstrating that separate is inherently unequal. Replications of these doll studies continue to demonstrate strong preferences for whiteness even today.

The slow, halting, backtracking, difficult work of dismantling white supremacy is not just about the law, although certainly law must be part of the effort. It is not just about the health of our national democratic project, although our politics will remain sick until we fix it. This work is about our very souls. It is about the deep and enduring damage that racism, segregation, and inequality does to the hearts and minds of human persons.

In 1903 W.E.B. Du Bois called the work of healing America's racism "our spiritual striving."

--this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.

There is a kind of happy ending to the Pennsylvania pool story. Girard college, a Philadelphia boarding school for low income children has given the kids a place to swim for the summer. I first heard about this story from a white colleague. Since the story started spreading through online networks hundreds of white men and women have contacted the pool to express their disgust and outrage.

Many black adults who carry the wounds of our childhood encounters with racism have gone on to live successful, meaningful, happy lives. We don't spend all of our hours fretting over the ignorant 6th grade bullies who called us "nigger." Many of us have stories of white allies and advocates who have been important in our personal and professional lives. When my daughter was hurt by her friend's racial comment, it was her white grandmother who held and comforted her. But the scars remain. The damage is real. And the racial distrust and division in our nation are cemented with these acts of racial cowardice and avarice.

We must be allies together in this struggle. Black and brown children need advocates of all races. The Philly kids needed a white adult at that pool to stand up for them.

Comments (148)

1. This is precisely what still gives the GOP its margins of victories north & south ... bigotry. The southern strategery, next up Sarah Palin? Momrmon Bishop Romney? Rev Huck? Multibillionaire re-re-registered GOPer Bloomberg? New faces, well-worn codes, same old hate.

   Posted by sloper at 07/09/2009 @ 12:45pm

2. While the change is slow and tedious, things are getting better.

   Unfortunately, we'll never be able to get rid of all the bigoted morons, their numbers (or at least their willingness to say such things in public) are dwindling.

   How sad to still have to deal with such things. This is one case where you can truly blame the parents. Such traits aren't inherited they're learned.

   Posted by TexasFlood at 07/09/2009 @ 12:48pm

3. thanks, Melissa, for bringing issues of race to the forefront.

   are we now actually going to discuss?

   as a southern white male i learned LOOOONG ago to tread lightly on this ground, as i have found out several times that i am a horrible racist because i "go places" hypothetically, or question conventional wisdom for argument sake, or use the word "nigger" in quotations for definition sake, or in some way step on a shibboleth mine and get called a racist by some hot headed half wit on a soapbox with an ax to grind.

   so i generally steer clear of these discussions. wisdom...

   but i found it interesting just this year when a young black woman in the low ses school i work in looked at me and expressed surprise that my eyes were brown and yet i was white...

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/09/2009 @ 12:56pm

4. A very moving article and sadly a not very shocking story that deflates the false euphoria people,especially whites felt when Obama was elected. The term "post-racial" kept being thrown around as though we as a society reached a finish line.

   While there is an undeniable element of bigotry in the GOP, do not think for an instant that the Dem's lack their fair share.Nor is it simply a problem of white communities, racism and ethnic bigotry abounds across race & borders. Mankind's tribal nature will always be present, but hopefully each day we respond swiftly and powefully to such instances of insidious racism, we do more to limit its effects and encourage reason and compassion to prevail.

   Posted by manostorgo at 07/09/2009 @ 1:07pm

5. How ironic that it was Girard College which offered their pool to the children. Girard College was constructed and endowed from the fortune of Stephen Girard (1750 - 1831), a French immigrant who was probably the richest man in America at the time of his death. The money he left to create Girard College was the largest private charitable donation up to that time in American history. In his will, Girard explicitly stated that the school would only admit, "fatherless white boys" and for nearly two centuries, that was the policy.

   That policy was changed after Philadelphia Civil Rights leader Cecil B. Moore fought the issue through the courts. Consquently, today, Girard College admits both boys AND girls of all ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds.

   Posted by ColonelOne at 07/09/2009 @ 1:08pm

6. Thank you, Prof. Harris-Lacewell, for sharing a personal story of painful truth. God grant that we all find the courage to do the right thing with this knowledge -- to confront racism and to shame the racists into silence and submission.

   Posted by JakobFabian at 07/09/2009 @ 1:11pm

7. Thanks for this piece. I, too, read about this pool incident with great sadness and anger.

   I wholeheartedly agree with your conclusion. Because racism and bigotry still exists, it's up to ALL of us to stand up and speak out. Especially if it is a member of your group that is doing the bigoted act.

   It is Very important that white people speak out against racism. It is important for black, brown, white, red and yellow children to see that. It's how they learn. In addition, bigoted adults never listen to the people they feel superior to - they need to be "called out" by their own.

   For example, there is too much homophobia in the black community. As an African-American, I always speak up when I hear homophobic things. And I make sure that black children overhear me speak against such hatred.

   We each can help end this foolishness - one act at a time. Yes - where were the white adults of good will on that pool day? Where, indeed?

   Posted by tmattocks at 07/09/2009 @ 1:12pm

8. Mr. Duesler, who is the heavy in the swimming pool story is actually a big Obama fan. That's inconvenient.

   Even as the curse of racism fades in the US the and struggle against racism continues, liberals hold fast to leveraging victim politics as a strategy for power more than results.

   Interesting how harris-lacewell neglects to balance her story with the Akron Ohio beating over the weekend. [Sigh] No, that doesn't fit the template.

   Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 1:16pm

9. Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/09/2009 @ 12:56pm

   Agreed this topic is laden with land mines for white males. However I think Ms. Lacewell makes an excellent point, anytime anyone sees an act of racism or descrimination people of all colors should stand against it. There will allways be racists, but they are in the minority and we should not let them have a greater impact on society.

   Posted by Extraneous at 07/09/2009 @ 1:21pm

10. I've read that there may even be a genetic proclivity towards perception that leads to racism built into the human brain. If so, that's bad, because racism is awful.

    Posted by syfriendly at 07/09/2009 @ 1:24pm

11. i think part of the black/white thing in america and the world is the result of ugly history.

    i believe, for example, in human depravity. i think that the scarce and deadly nature of the world and the struggle to survive have made it such that most groups, regardless of genetic heritage, have behaved atrociously to their less fortunate fellows when possessed of some advantage. for whatever reason western europe hit the critical mass of technological development that resulted in their dominance and therefore the inflicting of their depravity unto the world.

    does not mean other groups would not have inflicted their depravity given the chance...

    i also wonder what kind of deep human, jungian psychological principles may be at work here as well. in general, people tend to see light as good, dark as bad - not evolutionarily speaking for racial selection, but for obvious reasons which led to development of fire and all human endeavors to conquer the dark.

    therefore studies about doll atractiveness may involve more than the specific results of ugly history.

    our process of imputation of value may be influenced by very poorly understood semi-conscious processes which are coincidental results of evolutionarily adaptations.

    which would add THIS human evolutionary adaptation to a whole pile of such adaptations with which we shaved apes of all hues must grapple if we wish to survive in the long term as a species.

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/09/2009 @ 1:36pm

12. "liberals hold fast to leveraging victim politics as a strategy for power more than results"

    (quote of the week)

    rofl

    and this absurd comment arrives on the heels of months and months of endless self-victimization and self-pity on the part of powerful white conservative males, and sarah palin, who feel they have been left out of the democratic processes because of figures like obama, sotomayor, michael jackson, the liberal media, et al.

    it really cannot get any funnier than someone like freiheit complaining about painfully difficult it's becoming for rich and powerful white guys to exist in the usa.

    man, i thought antisocialist and bigpasture were out of touch. freheit has joined the club!

    Posted by darladoon at 07/09/2009 @ 1:39pm

13. Posted by syfriendly at 07/09/2009 @ 1:24pm

    I wonder... You know, I see little evidence of racism between small children.

    I believe racism is a choice borne of the worst aspects of human weakness. Another indicator of the fallen nature of humanity and our turning away from God.

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 1:39pm

14. This is precisely what still gives the GOP its margins of victories north & south ... bigotry. The southern strategery, next up Sarah Palin? Momrmon Bishop Romney? Rev Huck? Multibillionaire re-re-registered GOPer Bloomberg? New faces, well-worn codes, same old hate.

    Posted by sloper at 07/09/2009 @ 12:45pm

    Sloper, you perpetuate the stereotypes with nearly as much bigotry as those racist idiots at the Valley Swim Club.

    Most members of the GOP are not racists. It is enough as the husband and father of a family of color that I have to battle the obvious bigotry from some remnants in the right. I should not have to battle the same kind of bigotry from supposed liberals like yourself.

    Posted by antisocialist at 07/09/2009 @ 1:40pm

15. Posted by Extraneous at 07/09/2009 @ 1:21pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    i mean, we are assured to get the (pleasant and sweet) protestations of shock and moral outrage, assurances of solidarity, repetition of acceptable modern american politically correct race mantra, but will we really discuss the topic beyond the specific, or apply the general to the specific - freely and openly???

    hhmmm...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/09/2009 @ 1:40pm

16. Posted by Extraneous at 07/09/2009 @ 1:21pm

    Actually, Extra, I'm even more hopeful. I think most of the few remaining will die out in the next few decades. Despite the few young skinheads, most of your die-hard racist group leadership is well into Social Security/Medicare and desperately looking for a "whites only" assisted living home.

    Posted by Mask at 07/09/2009 @ 1:43pm

17. Posted by darladoon at 07/09/2009 @ 1:39pm

    I live to give you a chuckle Darla!

    Hey, by correctly identifying the liberal propensity for victim politics, just how did I disqualify in any way other entities adapting the same tactics? I never said this tactic was used exclusively by liberals, did I?

    Looking at the statistics for out of wedlock births, abortion rates, black on black crime, prison population, murder, drug and substance abuse, and unemployment within the black demographic in the US, please explain to me again how liberals are "helping" blacks succeed? (Hint: They're not)

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 1:49pm

18. These types of stories in my opinion give "racism" a bad name. So these kids couldn't swim in this private club...big deal. Who cares what the members of this raggedy looking club said? Who cares what the "white" person said to your "colored" daughter. People get it together stop whining and complaining about current racism as being "old-fashioned" and understand that this is what is currently going on.

    Someone should point out to these kids that this incident is LIFE. If these are the experiences you are having learn something from them, yourself.

    MHL why haven't you taught your daughter any coping skills? It's simple...it's because you don't have any! And lastly can bi-racial people as such as yourself and Barack please stop referring to yourself as black. You guys are HALF black...get it, got it, good.

    Posted by greenluv1322 at 07/09/2009 @ 2:01pm

19. I sat listening with my stomach in my feet and a voice in my head screaming, "Not yet. It's only kindergarten. Not yet. Not yet."

    •• you know, i guess we're doing o.k.ish here. my son was in kindergarten with half the u.n. represented. and the kids were cool.

    •• don't fret, the hybridization cannot be stopped. the number of "raceless" humans expands and expands.

    •• look at mr. obama, or my son, or larry's kids (i think), or vicente fox,

    or yourself, for that matter, for where does one "race" begin and another end?

    sincerely,

    fz

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 2:14pm

20. I sat listening with my stomach in my feet and a voice in my head screaming, "Not yet. It's only kindergarten. Not yet. Not yet."

    •• i did, however, get that EXACT SAME FEELING when confronted with the violence we call "entertainment". i swear some parents feed their kids "24 and CSI" for breakfast.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 2:17pm

21. "look at mr. obama, or my son, or larry's kids (i think), or vicente fox"

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 2:14pm

    Yeah, for some reason people seem to want to perpetuate 17th century "science."

    This kit was a gift I gave to my son on his 14th birthday;

    http://tiny.cc/49N14

    Posted by FLaim at 07/09/2009 @ 2:35pm

22. as a parent myself IKNOW that it is TAUGHT to the children and not part of the natural human psyche.

    I spoke with some black American medical students in Gdansk Poland. they told me they had no troubles at all being accepted they said because they was no NEGATIVE media of blacks in the communist east EVER. when the east opened up the only thing the new generation knew about black Americans was they are all famous athletes, musicians, really really cool way cooler than white guys and are the greatest lovers the universe has ever produced for a woman so in eastern Europe having a black American boyfriend is recognized as a huge status symbol for bombshell hotties. I have seen plenty of German men with insanely hot African women here in Munich. institutionalised racism against blacks is a troubling American and British phenomenon. when the queen of england had to LOOK UP to her new overlord...... michelle obama of course michelle felt what only another women could feel and had deep sympathy for her hence the arm around her.

    Posted by wildschield at 07/09/2009 @ 2:57pm

23. Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 1:39pm

    I was off-line wondering who was going to be the first right-wing apologist on this thread, FREI.

    I honestly had hoped it wouldn't be you, but would be RIO or some other dope. It's a shame.

    Posted by Mask at 07/09/2009 @ 3:02pm

24. Posted by greenluv1322 at 07/09/2009 @ 2:01pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Someone should point out to these kids that this incident is LIFE. If these are the experiences you are having learn something from them, yourself.

    ...Greenie...You've just confirmed that some adult knucklehead in your life told you at your first Xmas that there was no Santa, and hence while the rest of your peers reveled in the joy you got to watch, unprotected, with your nose pressed against the proverbial window. It's got to be tough growing up with absolutely no one interested in protecting you, at least for a short period of time, from life's harsh realities.

    You've convinced me, at least, that some bi-racial kid in a school yard, who you chose to educate as to how they should identify themselves didn't put their foot far enough up your ass in an expression of thanks for your informed vantage point.

    I don't presume to know what your ethnic makeup is, but regardless, you have made "it" on your own, Kimosabe... bully for you.

    Melissa...you keep trying to present the face of innocence to your young ones for as long as possible....because all to soon they'll have to deals with the privileged insights of the Greenies...too bad...

    K~

    Posted by Kinnamon at 07/09/2009 @ 3:19pm

25. I truly do have hope, America in general is beoming more ethnically diverse and ethnically blended. I believe we are going to see a new generation of Americans who define themselves not as Irish, Chinese, African, or hispanic, etc. But as Americans. I look at recent studies showing a greater number of children who identify as "multiracial", and realize that America is truly a melting pot. Soon our country will be comprised of more "multi race" individuals that not. My children are european and hispanic. Barack is European and African, even Anti has multi race children. I believe this blending of cultures and ethnicities will result in great acceptance towards all.

    The bigots are allready in the minority and they will never go away, but I really have hope that their relavance in society will be negligible.

    Posted by Extraneous at 07/09/2009 @ 3:28pm

26. It is a subject I'm not afraid of Mask. Racism makes me sick. I have lived with it my entire life on three continents. I'm in my 50's and contend the situation with racism in America has improved, but there is indeed still a ways to go.

    But at the same time it is obvious racism is used as a tool by politicians to leverage votes and power.

    My pointing that out is not being an apologist for racism Mask and you are wrong to accuse me. It is being real about the problem and not hiding behind political correctness.

    And all too often, racism is perceived as only a one way street. I contend it is shamefully universal.

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 3:32pm

27. And all too often, racism is perceived as only a one way street. I contend it is shamefully universal.

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 3:32pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Spot on Frei - though it is seemingly verbotten to mention this.

    The author doesn't celebrate the fact that her daughter and "white" boy were fast friends - and instead her focus was on the "white" boys words, rather than actions - i.e.,

    "She and a little white boy were playing together at recess as they had done all year....."

    Reminds me of the episode of Hill Street Blues where Fancy takes Sipowicz to the "black" barbeque joint to teach him about racism. Andy gets plenty of "what the hell are you doing here" looks but Fancy tells him to relax. Fancy says while you are not welcomed, you are respected - and the cooks aren't going to spit in your food. The white adults at the pool could use a little 'barbeque.'

    Posted by OneVote at 07/09/2009 @ 3:56pm

28. i mean, we are assured to get the (pleasant and sweet) protestations of shock and moral outrage, assurances of solidarity, repetition of acceptable modern american politically correct race mantra, but will we really discuss the topic beyond the specific, or apply the general to the specific - freely and openly???

    hhmmm...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/09/2009 @ 1:40pm

    I hope so. I just don't know what a meaningful venue would be for those discussions. Schools? I don't know how societal issues such as racism can be discussed in a meaningful way, in that I mean a way that will effect the influence of bigoty and racism on society.

    I do share your oppinion that free and open discussion are often hampered by claims of racism. Everyone has prejudices and open discussion of those are often hampered by fears that people will be labeled a racist.

    Posted by Extraneous at 07/09/2009 @ 4:04pm

29. the "browning" of america is a hopeful sign where racism is concerned. if "blacks" were in the majority in this country, they would face less racism.

    Posted by emile duBois at 07/09/2009 @ 4:22pm

30. as a parent myself IKNOW that it is TAUGHT to the children and not part of the natural human psyche.

    Posted by wildschield at 07/09/2009 @ 2:57pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    i'm not sure that qualifies a positive or negative conclusion. regardless i'm not discounting historical factors.

    your generalizations smack of truth, as verified by my overseas experiences as well, but i've also encountered information, apocryphal and documented, that suggests otherwise in some cultures/situations.

    i often get accused of racism when i bring up my nebulous musings about jungian light/dark attraction/aversion.

    again, this just means (to me) one cannot REALLY discuss "race" in our society...

    anything that does not tow the politically correct modern race mantra is prone to be slurred as racism.

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/09/2009 @ 5:26pm

31. not that i'm saying you were going there...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/09/2009 @ 5:26pm

32. tow that barge, toe the line.

    Posted by emile duBois at 07/09/2009 @ 5:30pm

33. "Replications of these doll studies continue to demonstrate strong preferences for whiteness even today."

    ever watch t.v. in a "brown" country?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:13pm

34. Interesting how harris-lacewell neglects to balance her story with the Akron Ohio beating over the weekend. [Sigh] No, that doesn't fit the template.

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 1:16pm

    she didn't mention this part, either:

    "The construction worker said he now fears for his family's safety, AND THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN MEDICAL BILLS HE FACES WITHOUT INSURANCE."

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:22pm

35. Agreed this topic is laden with land mines for white males.

    Posted by Extraneous at 07/09/2009 @ 1:21pm

    no way.

    just one more human.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:23pm

36. Another indicator of the fallen nature of humanity and our turning away from God.

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 1:39pm

    i've fallen nowhere, thank you very much.

    god's my buddy.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:26pm

37. MHL why haven't you taught your daughter any coping skills?

    •• "just get used to it, babe"

    It's simple...it's because you don't have any!

    •• "if only i could just get used to it"

    And lastly can bi-racial people as such as yourself and Barack please stop referring to yourself as black.

    •• we are all hybrids.

    You guys are HALF black...get it, got it, good.

    •• so are you.

    Posted by greenluv1322 at 07/09/2009 @ 2:01pm

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:29pm

38. Posted by FLaim at 07/09/2009 @ 2:35pm

    that's really cool.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:32pm

39. Reminds me of the episode of Hill Street Blues where Fancy takes Sipowicz to the "black" barbeque joint to teach him about racism. Andy gets plenty of "what the hell are you doing here" looks but Fancy tells him to relax.

    Posted by OneVote at 07/09/2009 @ 3:56pm

    haha!

    one day, years ago i rehearsed with some buddies in detroit and they took me to steve's soul food afterwards.

    they thought it would be funny and educational for me. i didn't tell them i had already been there.

    the best part was i was dressed like pat boone.

    life's fun.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:40pm

40. I hope so. I just don't know what a meaningful venue would be for those discussions. Schools? I don't know how societal issues such as racism can be discussed in a meaningful way, in that I mean a way that will effect the influence of bigoty and racism on society.

    Posted by Extraneous at 07/09/2009 @ 4:04pm

    well, my son has learned about celebrations from just about ever race at his school.

    what they do seems to be working.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:42pm

41. Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 3:32pm

    Isn't it a little strange how white guys like you know more about "the real truth" of racism than somebody like Ms Harris-Lacewell? Weird.

    Posted by Mask at 07/09/2009 @ 6:47pm

42. My younger son was a life guard for 2 summers and there are rules governing the ratio of swimmers and guards.

    While racism may have been a factor, having 65 kids suddenly showing up in the pool probably was unsafe....especially given minority kids are less adept in the water.

    The club mgm't should have blocked out dedicated (but limited) time periods for non-member group swims.......just like swim practices for summer league teams during which, your typical subdivision pool is closed to residents.

    The amount of incompetency in our world is increasing.....even the WH misspells Magic's name...sigh!

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:16pm

43. Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 3:32pm

    Isn't it a little strange how white guys like you know more about "the real truth" of racism than somebody like Ms Harris-Lacewell? Weird.

    Posted by Mask at 07/09/2009 @ 6:47pm

    Is it surprising that Ms. MH-L makes her living off of her blackness and racial victimology?

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:18pm

44. Mask, I never once said or even imply I know more about the real truth of racism than somebody like Ms Harris-Lacewell.

    My contention is that liberals use the subject of racism for political leverage. And I don't think that's inappropriate to contend on an opinion blog. Hey, I also think conservatives leverage gay marriage bias for political advantage. Is that okay? Or does that make you uncomfortable too?

    Posted by freiheit1 at 07/09/2009 @ 7:20pm

45. especially given minority kids are less adept in the water.

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:16pm

    poor kids.

    if only they had webbed feet like white folks.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 8:05pm

46. Even as the curse of racism fades in the US the and struggle against racism continues, liberals hold fast to leveraging victim politics as a strategy for power more than results.

    Posted by freiheit1

    -------------------

    Hmmmm...I agree somewhat with the latter part of this. It seems to me that many liberals, at least the white ones, fit the mold of good hearted people who want to see the world's problems solved, but are not willing to sacrifice any of their privilege that must inevitably be sacrificed if we are to really solve problems like racism.

    I agree with folks on here who oppose whatever is called political correctness--although that has always been a conservative term to deal with the reality that people see the world differently, particularly dependent upon which side of the whip they are on--because I want to know who the racists are.

    But just like with this whole CIA flap today, the real problem is ignored. The problem with racism is not the person calling someone a nigger, but the institutions that keep whites privileged above others. I will believe we are getting rid of racism when I see about ten to fifteen percent of the Congress seats held by black folks, and similarly population matching percentages by other non-whites.

    Then maybe we can hit up the even bigger issue: class warfare. Bring it on.

    Posted by onthehelm at 07/09/2009 @ 8:16pm

47. if only they had webbed feet like white folks.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 8:05pm

    Yeah, they don't! They don't even have, for many, father ducks around!

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 8:20pm

48. What's with all these illiterates who decline to use initial caps on the first word of a sentence?

    And what's with the lower-case "i" when used as the first-person pronoun?

    Posted by Denman at 07/09/2009 @ 8:20pm

49. They don't even have, for many, father ducks around!

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 8:20pm

    stupid darkies.

    they should follow the fine examples set by newt and rush.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 8:42pm

50. What's with all these illiterates who decline to use initial caps on the first word of a sentence?

    And what's with the lower-case "i" when used as the first-person pronoun?

    Posted by Denman at 07/09/2009 @ 8:20pm

    capital letters are an insult to the lord.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 8:45pm

51. life's fun.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/09/2009 @ 6:40pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    and good "grits" too!

    Posted by OneVote at 07/09/2009 @ 8:59pm

52. Is it surprising that Ms. MH-L makes her living off of her blackness and racial victimology?

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:18pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Like Al Sharpton.

    Posted by OneVote at 07/09/2009 @ 9:00pm

53. Minorities are less adept in the water? Are you fucking kidding me?

    This isn't the 50s anymore you tool. Good god you are tremendously out of touch.

    Posted by TexasFlood at 07/09/2009 @ 9:27pm

54. Sloper, you perpetuate the stereotypes with nearly as much bigotry as those racist idiots at the Valley Swim Club.

    Most members of the GOP are not racists. It is enough as the husband and father of a family of color that I have to battle the obvious bigotry from some remnants in the right. I should not have to battle the same kind of bigotry from supposed liberals like yourself.

    Posted by antisocialist at 07/09/2009 @ 1:40pm

    It's sad that the GOP name is tainted by the racists who call themselves conservative. It's a terrible thing to see. Racism exists on both sides of the political spectrum. Anyone with half a brain should be able to see that. It's just sad that the most belligerantly obvious racists for some reason call themselves conservative when the conservative ideology as a whole does not lend itself to racism.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/09/2009 @ 9:39pm

55. My younger son was a life guard for 2 summers and there are rules governing the ratio of swimmers and guards.

    While racism may have been a factor, having 65 kids suddenly showing up in the pool probably was unsafe....especially given minority kids are less adept in the water.

    The club mgm't should have blocked out dedicated (but limited) time periods for non-member group swims.......just like swim practices for summer league teams during which, your typical subdivision pool is closed to residents.

    The amount of incompetency in our world is increasing.....even the WH misspells Magic's name...sigh!

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:16pm

    Hmm. Either Happy is bing intentionally inflammatory or he is a racist idiot. Judging by the situation it had nothing to do with how many of them there were, they were turned away because of their race. Hopefully he is just being a troll and isn't a racist idiot but past comments tell a different story.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/09/2009 @ 9:41pm

56. Of course Happy thinks being non-PC means making racist comments is ok.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/09/2009 @ 9:41pm

57. Guess he doesn't understand what a lack of PC actually is.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/09/2009 @ 9:41pm

58. Yeah can't you see how edgy he is? Society says he shouldn't be a bigoted cock-holster, but this guy is just way too unconventional for societys rules man! He's living on the edge, he and antisocialist are going to start their rugged individualist club any day now.

    Posted by TexasFlood at 07/09/2009 @ 9:47pm

59. Thank for printing this thread Nation! If I told anybody about these twisted tales of "Hate the White man because he is always a Racist!"they wouldnt'' believe me that this is the kind of victimology crappola that still is in the forefront of the GUILTY liberals!!!!

    My favorite line was; "It was 2008 and we live in a liberal enclave in the Northeast."! Can't you fools see that this is the perfect example of the real class and ideological racial hatred which is generally exemplefied by liberal elitists? The transferrence of liberal racism back on all other whites they feel are inferior socially, culturally, and regionally is hilarious!

    It just doesn't get any better than that until you read all the accussatory posts speaking of Republicans, Southerners , white men etc.!

    I spent the day working in 111 degree weather in S.W. Okla. and after returning the 150 miles you lay this gift of pure unadulterated barnyard manure out on the net for all to see!

    What fools would publish things like, "The slow, halting, backtracking, difficult work of dismantling white supremacy", with all the talk of using the law against imagined offenders!

    Hmmmm.....I wonder if the writer of this hogwash has used the law against all her liberal neighbors that seem to be teaching their children racial prejudice?????

    Posted by BigPasture at 07/09/2009 @ 11:11pm

60. Men are from Mars and women are from Venus........we also know Venisians like to drink Kool-aid served by slick men like Magic and Clinton:

    Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

    Thursday, July 09, 2009

    The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 30% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-eight percent (38%) Strongly Disapprove.....

    There is a gender gap when it comes to perceptions of Obama's performance. By a 46% to 27% margin, men Strongly Disapprove. Women are more evenly divided--33% Strongly Approve and 30% Strongly Disapprove....

    Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 11:13pm

61. Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:16pm |

    "My younger son was a life guard for 2 summers and there are rules governing the ratio of swimmers and guards."

    Which is why they PAID and PREARRANGED the swim period...and this lame rationale certainly wasn't the stated reason for their denial, Happy.

    "While racism may have been a factor, having 65 kids suddenly showing up in the pool probably was unsafe....especially given minority kids are less adept in the water."

    Canard? Or mere stupidity? Probably both; what a pitiful distortion of reality manages to eek through your idiot lens.

    "The club mgm't should have blocked out dedicated (but limited) time periods for non-member group swims.......just like swim practices for summer league teams during which, your typical subdivision pool is closed to residents."

    What part of "prearranged the swim period" are you failing to comprehend, moron?

    Posted by snowball777 at 07/10/2009 @ 12:26am

62. I just want to add that for all of the discussions about who is or is not racist, who or who is not a "victim," what is or is not "PC"--that very few of you have actually addressed the problem: the devastating effects of racism on innocent children. These children are not armed with all of our sophisticated quips, our righteous intellectualism...They just wanted to take a swim and were told that they were *unfit* to be in a pool with white people. Put yourself in their trunks.

    __________ And just a friendly factcheck for some of the posts: black children do drown at a higher rate than white children because they are less likely to learn how to swim (for a variety of reasons).

    Posted by teachnotpreach at 07/10/2009 @ 12:33am

63. Posted by BigPasture at 07/09/2009 @ 11:11pm |

    "Thank for printing this thread Nation! If I told anybody about these twisted tales of "Hate the White man because he is always a Racist!"they wouldnt'' believe me that this is the kind of victimology crappola that still is in the forefront of the GUILTY liberals!!!!"

    How about hating the white racists, when what they are perpetrating is clearly racist discrimination?

    "Can't you fools see that this is the perfect example of the real class and ideological racial hatred which is generally exemplified by liberal elitists?"

    No, it must be our lack of a buzzbox like yours.

    "The transference of liberal racism back on all other whites they feel are inferior socially, culturally, and regionally is hilarious!"

    As is your transference of conservative racism on liberals...who believe nothing of the drivel you spew.

    "It just doesn't get any better than that until you read all the accussatory posts speaking of Republicans, Southerners , white men etc.!"

    White RACISTS...i.e. not the white or Pug or Southern people who are not racists, of which there are many.

    "I spent the day working in 111 degree weather in S.W. Okla. and after returning the 150 miles you lay this gift of pure unadulterated barnyard manure out on the net for all to see!"

    We can't help the fact that you've decided to make a hellhole home.

    Would you like a swimming pool? Then I hope you're the right shade.

    Posted by snowball777 at 07/10/2009 @ 12:36am

64. Posted by teachnotpreach at 07/10/2009 @ 12:33am |

    While I agree the actions of the Valley Swim Club are, pardon the pun, beyond the pale, I think there's room to discuss how much of the stigma kids feel about their race is due to the outrage engaged in by their parents on their behalf and not because of any hurt actually felt by the children themselves.

    All kids get teased..for all manner of things. As an example, I was singled out and teased for being able to read and write before I entered kindergarten by the very kids you claim are suffering so much damage.

    Learning to ignore the ignorant, if not disarm their idiotic behavior with laughter, is part of becoming a strong and complete human being.

    Posted by snowball777 at 07/10/2009 @ 12:42am

65. When my son was a Kindergartner, he was into "Bob the Builder" and "Spongebob." Yet the little Black & brown kids at his school wanted to know his gang affiliation. Seriously. Needless to say, we had to put him into private school, else they'd have eaten him alive. Racism like this pool scenario is so freakishly weird, it makes the national news. Innocent young White boys getting their butts beaten to a pulp by ignorant Black & brown thugs has been a constant for the last 40-50 years, one that just never gets reported.

    Of course, I'm a racist for pointing that out, just as my liberal aunt was accused of being a racist by the Berkeley school authorities for objecting to the frequent beatings administered by Blacks to her White son. Liberals might think I'm a racist, but no minority has ever suffered at my hands, whereas I've been physically attacked without provocation (by people who didn't even know me) just for being White. It happens all the time. Liberals don't care about that. I'm not sure they care about ANYTHING that happens in the lives of the White working class, actually. Which is a shame, because I genuinely like Dennis Kucinich, Howard Dean, and Mike Gravel. But no way would I ever support their party, when I know their party's leaders look at someone like me about the same way David Duke looks at Michael Jackson.

    Posted by KevinRiley at 07/10/2009 @ 06:51am

66. "Is it surprising that Ms. MH-L makes her living off of her blackness and racial victimology? "----Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:18pm

    So African-American studies is "racial victimology"?

    Melissa Harris-Lacewell, an associate professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University

    Curious, HAPP, how many classes in A-A studies have you attended?

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 07:49am

67. The Valley Swim Club needs to offer the kids and their families a sincere apology, give the kids access to the pool gratis and welcome them in a friendly manner. That would cost them absolutely nothing and give them back their humanity.

    Posted by ADAMO at 07/10/2009 @ 08:20am

68. Posted by KevinRiley at 07/10/2009 @ 06:51am | ignore this person | warn this person

    this sounds phony to me.

    Posted by emile duBois at 07/10/2009 @ 08:50am

69. Melissa Harris-Lacewell, an associate professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University

    Curious, HAPP, how many classes in A-A studies have you attended?

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 07:49am

    How many European-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, Indian-American, Sikh-American, Muslim-American, etc. "studies" have you attended?

    Posted by Happy at 07/10/2009 @ 09:35am

70. Todays headlines should read "Racebaiters Dissappointed". Poor Jesse Jackson is so disappointed because the whole fiasco turned out to be perpetrated solely by BLACKS!

    "Four workers were charged Thursday in an elaborate scheme in which hundreds of corpses were dug up at a historic black cemetery near Chicago and strewn in a weeded area or reburied with other bodies so that plots could be resold, authorities said.

    Many notable black Americans were buried at the site, including civil rights lynching victim Emmett Till and blues legend Dinah Washington. Dart said Till's grave was not disturbed, but that he wasn't sure about the graves of Washington and others.

    Flanked by angry family members of the deceased, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said there's "a special place in hell" for those accused in the alleged scheme.

    Carolyn Towns, 49, Keith Nicks, 45, and Terrence Nicks, 39 - all of Chicago - and Maurice Dailey, 61, of Robbins, have each been charged with one count of dismembering a human body, a felony."

    Racism is a terrible thing to waste when there are no whites around to place the blame on!

    Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 09:59am

71. Posted by Happy at 07/10/2009 @ 09:35am

    HAPP, you seem to be knowledgable about how Ms Harris-Lacewell "makes her living"?

    And since she does so by being a Professor of African-American Studies....I assume you know all about African-American Studies from numerous classes you've taken in it.

    Or do you have some other source for your in-depth knowledge?

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 10:14am

72. Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 09:59am

    Plus, I understand James Byrd chained himself to that truck and used a remote control to drag himself to death!

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 10:19am

73. Mask, that sounds similar to the two homosexuals rapists that were "forced" to abduct the 13 yr. old boy in Arkansas and rape and sodomize him for two weeks until he died! But, they weren't pediphiles and luckily no one beat them and hung them on a fence so it wasn't newsworthy nationally and they are not being memorialized by leftist and unholywood!

    Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 10:42am

74. And since she does so by being a Professor of African-American Studies....I assume you know all about African-American Studies from numerous classes you've taken in it.

    Or do you have some other source for your in-depth knowledge?

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 10:14am | ignore this person | warn this person

    So....how do you know about teaching or being African hyphenated American if you weren't born there and haven't experienced the culture?

    Do they study the modern successful black ruled nations that have arisen after kicking the nasty white settlers out? You know like the old Rhodesia etc.?

    Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 10:47am

75. Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 10:42am

    Just trying to help you out, RIO. I'm sure with enough digging you can come up with SOMETHING against James Byrd...maybe showing how he "brought it on himself" or something???

    Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 10:47am

    So the natural order should be whites ruling over blacks....I see.

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 11:01am

76. Like I asked Mask;

    So....how do you know about teaching or being African hyphenated American if you weren't born there and haven't experienced the culture?

    Do they study the modern successful black ruled nations that have arisen after kicking the nasty white settlers out? You know like the old Rhodesia etc.?

    Why don't you educate us????

    Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 11:09am

77. This is one of those "you gotta be kidding me" stories. People of color who are bright and shiny and minted with celebrity are one thing but the rest well that's something else all together.

    Posted by Lalareina at 07/10/2009 @ 11:10am

78. Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 09:59am

    what the hell is that?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/10/2009 @ 11:29am

79. Posted by emile duBois at 07/10/2009 @ 08:50am | ignore this person | warn this person

    sounds like my school experience 30 some years ago sans the gangs.

    but those gangs are everywhere now.

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/10/2009 @ 11:30am

80. Do they study the modern successful black ruled nations that have arisen after kicking the nasty white settlers out? You know like the old Rhodesia etc.? Why don't you educate us????

    Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 11:09am

    perhaps you should educate yourself, first.

    btw, isn't the u.s. currently "black ruled"?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 07/10/2009 @ 11:32am

81. I remember well the pronouncements of the begetters of the Big Pastures, Happies & Antisocialists of today. These kinds of people despised MLK as a communist using integration as a tool to further world political domination.

    It's no stretch to see that as inheritors of that conspiratorial view, they would view black kids using a swimming pool as incipient bullies & thugs being used by liberals to change the "complexion & atmosphere" of the facility.

    The wingnut conspiracy theory has apparently in the 21st century become one of juveniles acting as a proxy for the socialists as destroyers of "social order."

    Posted by Sorelish at 07/10/2009 @ 11:40am

82. Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 11:09am

    So, again, RIO...things are better off for blacks when white people are in charge?

    Is there any OTHER interpretation of your comment? If so, enlighten us.

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 12:11pm

83. well ultimately "racism" is an extreme form of natural human inclinations toward identifying with one's group and fearing other groups seen as competitors.

    this dynamic functions regardless of which group we're looking at.

    so i suspect that whatever the word "racism" means (in my experience nebulously and sometimes vastly different things to sometimes otherwise similar people), many people could be counted as racists to some degree depending on the counter...

    but in the specific case of african americans...if some white people fear that an influx of black and brown kids may mean an increase in violence and criminality...

    unfortunately their fears are not irrational, all other factors not considered (individual differences, causality). black (and brown) are statistically speaking, more likely to commit crimes both property and violent, than "white". "white" people are more likely to be victimized by a black person than a white person...

    so...drawing conclusions based upon facts and observation, some white people (and a few non whites) have drawn unfortunate conclusions perhaps based on some ugly traditions, but also based on observed reality.

    again, not talking about causality of predicament of "black and brown", but rather why many white people are "racist".

    but if a phenomenon is repeatedly observed and documented (criminality for example) and this phenomenon is or is seen as a threat (as this certainly is), then i'm not sure a rational response (avoidance) is necessarily "racism"...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/10/2009 @ 12:13pm

84. Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/10/2009 @ 12:13pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    most victims of black criminals are black people.

    black people are also more likely to be victims of police brutality, they get harsher sentences for crimes committed, they are more likely to live in substandard housing in poor neighborhoods, go to substandard schools. etc.

    Posted by emile duBois at 07/10/2009 @ 12:23pm

85. I remember well the pronouncements of the begetters of the Big Pastures, Happies & Antisocialists of today. These kinds of people despised MLK as a communist using integration as a tool to further world political domination.

    It's no stretch to see that as inheritors of that conspiratorial view, they would view black kids using a swimming pool as incipient bullies & thugs being used by liberals to change the "complexion & atmosphere" of the facility.

    The wingnut conspiracy theory has apparently in the 21st century become one of juveniles acting as a proxy for the socialists as destroyers of "social order."

    Posted by Sorelish at 07/10/2009 @ 11:40am

    You've posted long enough now that for you to include me in a racist category makes you an absolute jerk.

    Do you think that I'm racist against my own wife, 3 of my sons, and a grandson?

    Why don't you go find some hole to crawl in-after you apologize

    Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 12:26pm

86. Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 12:26pm

    Can I once again stand up in defense of Larry/antisoc.

    Sorelish, I've never seen anything racist from him...ever. You might be on the mark about him thinking King was a Communist...but that'd be it.

    Say what you will about him....Larry has never come off as racist. Radical libertarian, warmonger, and a wackadoodle....but not a racist.

    RIO?....different story, as we're seeing here today.

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 12:32pm

87. Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 12:32pm

    Thanks Mask. It is one area that can really set me off when someone tries to call me racist.

    Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 12:39pm

88. most victims of black criminals are black people.

    black people are also more likely to be victims of police brutality, they get harsher sentences for crimes committed, they are more likely to live in substandard housing in poor neighborhoods, go to substandard schools. etc.

    Posted by emile duBois at 07/10/2009 @ 12:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    not untrue but not relevant

    1. "most victims of black criminals are black people."

    i was talking about the interaction of black and white. what is important here is how white people percieve external reality and how that meshes with measured external reality. a white person may or may not bemoan the fact that black people are statistically more violent to each other than are white, but calculating chances of avoiding violent and crime prone people (smart and conducive to survival), a white person finds in our society that he or she is much more likely to be victimized by black or brown regardless of existance of fellow white victimizers...

    statistically speaking, the more i avoid black and brown, the safer i am.

    2. "black people are also more likely to be victims of police brutality, they get harsher sentences for crimes committed, they are more likely to live in substandard housing in poor neighborhoods, go to substandard schools. etc."

    one might reason that since black people commit more violent and property crimes, black neighborhoods are far more likely to have police in them arresting people. i would never condone police brutality, but dealing with violent, unpleasant, often mentally ill and addicted people on a regular basis is not easy. i'm surprised we don't see more police brutality to be honest, from officers of all hues...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/10/2009 @ 12:43pm

89. Thank you very much for this excellent article. My son forwarded it to me, since he was the one who forwarded me the original information about this heinous act. I am a white Philadelphian and I did immediately email the club; needless, to say, I have yet to receive a reply to my tirade. I sincerely hope there will be legal action against the perpetrators. My daughter interned at Girard College as a social work student; it is indeed a special place but was not always so. It was only within my lifetime that it was integrated racially and in gender. Now it is a truly unique institution in the best ways. Good for them to come through.Thanks again.

    Posted by blogmommy at 07/10/2009 @ 12:51pm

90. Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 12:32pm

    Where would civil rights be today if Antisocialist & his ilk had their way? You know, fallen man & give unto Caesar & all that. Perfection is found only in heaven, etc.

    In MLK's day the mantra was, "Wherever he travels chaos & disorder follow. He's a tool of the international communist conspiracy."

    When's the last time anti had ANY disagreement with Rio or Happy?

    Posted by Sorelish at 07/10/2009 @ 12:53pm

91. Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 12:39pm

    John 8:32

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 1:20pm

92. Posted by Sorelish at 07/10/2009 @ 12:53pm

    Different argument. Calling a man a racist and saying that "by extension, his political ideology would have engendered continueing segregation or discrimination" is too different things.

    I could accuse Larry of being wrong-headed on his take that we should have "nuked China to win the Korean War"...without accusing him of hating Asians. Uncaring and counter-productive, even strategically stupid...but doesn't indicate racism.

    You may be right. As an avid "States' Righter", no doubt he would have seen Federal interference in a state's voting system...aka "poll taxes", "literacy tests", etc. as "socialism"....but would that mean he wanted to discriminate against black voters in the South....or simply his ideology overrides the need for Federal intervention to assure equal rights?

    He can answer for himself.

    But the easy charge of "He's a racist"...is just that....easy. You can do better, Sore, I know you can.

    Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 1:25pm

93. Thank God, the counrty is not turning thier heads away from this story. My heart is heavy and hurts when I see the pool representatives try and weasle out of this. It doesn't matter if they wern't the ones who made the comment, they made other comments.They backed up the pool members with the comment,"Let the chips fall where they may". Of course, they are going to say they didn't hear the comments. God Bless the man who is a member who said they need to resign. It is not RIGHT what goes on. I lived over there and I am mixed with black and white. When people thought I was white, they would make comments about black people bringing down the property value. I hope something is done about this. I hope the reporters do not give up Until Something Gives!!!

    Posted by nickyB at 07/10/2009 @ 1:33pm

94. Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 1:25pm

    Never used the word racist, Mask. We don't know that anti's brood use a swimming pool, public or private, but something tells me that he would pull his kids out of the pool if "disagreement" reared its ugly head, in the form of parents "concerned" about complexion.

    The peripatetic anti would drag his brood all over the county till he found congeniality. That is, indeed, one way of dealing with racism.

    Posted by Sorelish at 07/10/2009 @ 1:56pm

95. "When people thought I was white, they would make comments about black people bringing down the property value."

    Posted by nickyB at 07/10/2009 @ 1:33pm

    Yeah, "white flight" has nothing to do with it. Talk about self-fulfilling...

    Posted by FLaim at 07/10/2009 @ 2:08pm

96. ...black people bringing down the property value....

    Posted by nickyB at 07/10/2009 @ 1:33pm

    Facts are hard to refute!

    As a longstanding RE investor, this is one of the unyielding principal of investing!

    I have NEVER lost money on RE....and the ones I consider to have been marginal, literally not worth the sweat equity of years and years of tending to properties in `mixed' neighborhoods, have always been in subdivisions that have gone much MORE black.

    It's true in big cities, mid-size cities and a neighborhood near you.....sorry, facts are facts!

    Posted by Happy at 07/10/2009 @ 2:09pm

97. statistically speaking, the more i avoid black and brown, the safer i am.

    this is the remark of a racist.

    Posted by emile duBois at 07/10/2009 @ 2:31pm

98. And this occured in a highly Democrat, white suburb of Philadelphia, liberals are in general the least tolerant people in this country.

    Posted by prweigandt at 07/10/2009 @ 2:35pm

99. Posted by FLaim at 07/10/2009 @ 2:08pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    for decades bank redlined black neighborhoods, refusing them loans to fix up their houses, contributing greatly to the decline of those areas.

    Posted by emile duBois at 07/10/2009 @ 2:37pm

100. Ok emile, don't forget the current financial mess the nations faces is the result of bad Real estate loans to people who can't afford them in the first place. brought to you by the Likes Of BARNEY FRANK

     Posted by prweigandt at 07/10/2009 @ 2:42pm

101. Posted by Sorelish at 07/10/2009 @ 1:56pm

     I think the "hint" was there, Sore. But Larry can answer for himself. I just gave my view of the man from some time on this board.

     Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 2:45pm

102. "... brought to you by the Likes Of BARNEY FRANK"----Posted by prweigandt at 07/10/2009 @ 2:42pm

     Cool....another one.

     Okay preweig....how did Frank, IN THE MINORITY, effect such policies back in 2003-2004?

     Oh and why didn't Boehner use the same "magical minority power" to stop the evil stimulus bill and Obama's socialism?!???!???

     Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 2:47pm

103. Mask, why do you forget about 2006 untill now.

     Posted by prweigandt at 07/10/2009 @ 2:51pm

104. For those of you younger than me...

     "White flight is a term for the demographic trend in which white people move away from urban neighborhoods that are becoming racially desegregated to white suburbs and exurbs. The phenomenon was first named in the United States, but has occurred in other countries as well. A major contributing factor for the start of this trend in the United States is considered to be the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which began the process of desegregating the country's public schools.

     Some scholars have noted the impact of redlining, mortgage discrimination, and racially restrictive covenants on white flight: these factors denied or increased the cost of services (such as banking and insurance) to residents in minority suburbs and minority inner-city neighborhoods." -Wikipedia

     Posted by FLaim at 07/10/2009 @ 2:55pm

105. While racism may have been a factor, having 65 kids suddenly showing up in the pool probably was unsafe....especially given minority kids are less adept in the water.

     Posted by Happy at 07/09/2009 @ 7:16pm

     Nice... I knew I was going to find a gem like this in here!

     Posted by A.D.H.D. at 07/10/2009 @ 3:22pm

106. I've read that there may even be a genetic proclivity towards perception that leads to racism built into the human brain. If so, that's bad, because racism is awful.

     Posted by syfriendly at 07/09/2009 @ 1:24pm

     So let me get this straight (pun intended): 1. Gay - a choice 2. Racist - Awful, but you're born with it.

     Can't churches come up with some sort of program you can go through to purge the gay...I mean racist, out of your body? I mean, racism is a sin, right?

     Posted by A.D.H.D. at 07/10/2009 @ 3:31pm

107. Is there any OTHER interpretation of your comment? If so, enlighten us.

     Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 12:11pm | ignore this person | warn this person

     You continue to avoid and NEVER answer the questions I pose to you except with accussatory questions so why should I bother with you? If truth and and fact are racist YOU have NO worries!!!!

     Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 4:05pm

108. Racism is the tool of choice of those intractable FOOLS unwilling and unable to live, work, or learn anything beyond the civil rights achievements already made which along with the constitution assure equality for all races!

     What they really seek is guaranteed continual racial inequality through the continual denegration of whites, equivication of any and all living or working standards based on race, and when ever possible the use of inflammatory and deroggatory false accusations and language in attempts to elicite defensivesness from the subjects they wish to vilify...or in Jesse's case extort!

     If anyone is uncomfortable with the situational truths of black on black or other interracial instigated crimes and inequities....there is a place in kansas where the sun does not shine where you can place you complaints!

     Tell me again how this attitude is racist when actually it is just the truth bitng you!

     Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 4:48pm

109. You may be right. As an avid "States' Righter", no doubt he would have seen Federal interference in a state's voting system...aka "poll taxes", "literacy tests", etc. as "socialism"....but would that mean he wanted to discriminate against black voters in the South....or simply his ideology overrides the need for Federal intervention to assure equal rights?

     He can answer for himself.

     But the easy charge of "He's a racist"...is just that....easy. You can do better, Sore, I know you can.

     Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 1:25pm

     My family has worked to see All Americans including African Americans and Hispanics be treated as equals for more than 150 years. My great-great grandfather lost a leg in the Civil War while leading a calvary charge against the Confederates.

     in the late 50's through the 60's my father insisted on having racially mixed social gatherings in our home.

     Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 5:08pm

110. Posted by Mask at 07/10/2009 @ 12:32pm | ignore this person | warn this person

     "Racism is the tool of choice of those intractable FOOLS "Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 4:48pm | ignore this person | warn this person

     Yea, that is about you mAsKed fool!

     Posted by BigPasture at 07/10/2009 @ 6:05pm

111. Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 5:08pm

     Sounds like a nice family.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/10/2009 @ 6:50pm

112. Sounds like a nice family.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/10/2009 @ 6:50pm

     Thx CCC. our family has battled against the insidiousness of racism for a long time. Everyone should

     Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 7:43pm

113. Thx CCC. our family has battled against the insidiousness of racism for a long time. Everyone should

     Posted by antisocialist at 07/10/2009 @ 7:43pm

     It's a truly disgusting thing to see. I have been on the receiving end of it, from Latinos and Whites as well as from blacks who don't consider me black enough because I am half and have lighter skin. It's definitely not a fun thing to experience and I feel bad for this kids. It's always the worst when it's kids because they can't grasp it the way an adult can. Instead of being able to logically say that that person is just ignorant, they instead internalize it and think that there is something wrong with them. It's a sad thing all around.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/10/2009 @ 8:58pm

114. Ok emile, don't forget the current financial mess the nations faces is the result of bad Real estate loans to people who can't afford them in the first place. brought to you by the Likes Of BARNEY FRANK

     Posted by prweigandt at 07/10/2009 @ 2:42pm

     you are lost.

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/10/2009 @ 9:10pm

115. "this sounds phony to me."

     Yeah, well, its not. But I'm not surprised that the first (perhaps only) comment posted here in response to what I wrote is one which suggests people like me don't exist. Just because White working class people (who actually bear the brunt of the multiculturalism its enthusiasts shield themselves from; having Black friends with post-graduate degrees doesn't really count - Hell, I'd probably like some of THOSE Blacks too, just not the ones in my neighbourhood, who tend to be repulsive thugs who let me know they hate me 'cause I'm White, albeit in between well-deserved jail stints), don't necessarily share in your adoration for anyone-who-isn't-White, doesn't mean we're all redneck imbeciles who voted for McCain. I voted for Nader in the last two Presidential elections, and for Patrick Buchanan before that (I even registered Democrat in 2003, so that I could vote for Kucinich in the following year), all of which strikes me as perfectly consistent, since Nader, Buchanan, and Kucinich actually represent some of the interests of people like me, while people like Barack Obama and John Kerry absolutely do not.

     Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 02:31am

116. "I understand James Byrd chained himself to that truck and used a remote control to drag himself to death!"

     The very same week Mr. Byrd was dragged to death in Texas, a White housewife in Illinois was also dragged to death by some Black thug. One was the biggest crime story of the year; the other was only covered (briefly) in local media. Although terrible, awful people like me have a way of finding out about these glaring little examples of anti-White bias in the mainstream media, ever since the mid-1990s, much to the chagrin of the would-be masters of the media.

     Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 02:36am

117. "I assume you know all about African-American Studies from numerous classes you've taken in it. "

     While I can't speak for the person you were addressing, I've actually taken two courses in what San Diego State University then referred to as Africana Studies. I don't claim to be some sort of expert on the topic, but the immediate assumption that people with unfashionable, tabu opinions on these matters by necessity know nothing about them, is not precisely accurate. I've actually lived on a street that was about 60-70 percent Black, unlike 99 percent (seems a fair estimate) of the White people who champion the interests of Blacks. Oh, and by the way, living on such a street is not really an experience I'd recommend. My next door neighbours were even harboring the fugitive who killed a San Jose cop, back in 2001 or '02. "Racist" stereotype of Black lawlessness demonstrated to be accurate? Check.

     Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 02:47am

118. "things are better off for blacks when white people are in charge?

     Is there any OTHER interpretation of your comment? If so, enlighten us."

     Of course Blacks & Whites alike in Rhodesia were better off under the racist rule of Whites, then Blacks (and Whites) are under the racist, and also totally demented, rule of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. How could anyone possibly suggest otherwise? Have you heard anything about what's been going on in Zimbabwe? Blacks in Mississippi in 1950 probably have it better off than Blacks in Zimbabwe today. Blacks in 1950 Mississippi had very few rights. No one has any rights in contemporary Zimbabwe. And the Back per capita violent death toll is a Hell of a lot higher in the latter.

     Sure, the racist regime in Rhodesia was immoral...but so is the present regime in Zimbabwe. Just that under the latter, the total quotient of human suffering is much greater.

     Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 02:57am

119. "Some scholars have noted the impact of redlining, mortgage discrimination, and racially restrictive covenants on white flight: these factors denied or increased the cost of services (such as banking and insurance) to residents in minority suburbs and minority inner-city neighborhoods." -Wikipedia"

     As a person with over 1,850 edits as Wikipedia, as well as a present candidate for the WikiMedia Foundation's Board of Trustees, I can assure you that Wikipedia is NOT a reliable source on questions of racial controversy. The reality is that banks are in it for the money, not for promoting White Supremacy, or what-have-you. At the time of the 1967 riots, Detroit had the highest rate of Black home ownership of anywhere in the USA. Before Federal interference, Blacks (and Hispanics) had the same mortgage default rate as Whites, since these matters were governed by the market. Now that these matters are governed by political considerations, they have a mortgage default rate 3-4 times that of Whites.

     Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 03:08am

120. "My family has worked to see All Americans including African Americans and Hispanics be treated as equals for more than 150 years. My great-great grandfather lost a leg in the Civil War while leading a calvary (sic) charge against the Confederates."

     My great-great-great grandfather was Union General Philip H. Sheridan, the conqueror of the Shenandoah valley. I have a sneaking suspicion that were he alive today, he wouldn't be a multiculturalist.

     Back in the 1960s, my maternal grandfather remarked to my father something to this effect: "Michael, I know you're a good man, and you believe people like Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy are too, but mark my words, this 'racial equality' of which they speak will be used as a bludgeon to treat Whites as inferiors." After about 40 years of affirmative action, my father now believes his father-in-law spoke wisely. Needless to say, so do I.

     Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 03:18am

121. 'At the time of the 1967 riots, Detroit had the highest rate of Black home ownership of anywhere in the USA. Before Federal interference, Blacks (and Hispanics) had the same mortgage default rate as Whites, since these matters were governed by the market. Now that these matters are governed by political considerations, they have a mortgage default rate 3-4 times that of Whites.'

     I'm pretty sure you didn't get these "facts" from "Wikipedia," "KevinRiley." So, where DID you get them?

     To my knowledge, the "matters" of mortgages have not been "governed by the market" since the New Deal -- and thank God. However, the New Deal regulation of mortgages pointedly benefited only Whites and excluded Blacks by "redlining." If you deny extending loans to Blacks in the first place, well of course, they're not going to have much opportunity to default on these loans, are they?

     More recently, some homebuyers' loans have been extended to Blacks, but at the same time, the lenders' behavior has been de-regulated to the point that lenders can do all kinds of crazy things with rates and can take on all kinds of crazy risks -- provided that they pass them along to others. This is what accounts for the high default rates -- not black incompetence.

     Please don't come at me with the argument that the bankers would never do anything that's not in their rational self-interest. People do this all the time. A large part of the collapse of our banking system is due to bankers' expertise in duping other bankers. It was simply assumed that if we spread risks broadly enough, it doesn't matter how much risk we take. After all, risk-taking is a virtue, isn't it? We should all be taking more risks, shouldn't we?

     This is the kind of "logic" that leads lemmings to run over the edge of cliffs.

     Posted by JakobFabian at 07/11/2009 @ 08:54am

122. Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 02:36am |

     Was the white woman attacked FOR BEING WHITE by black men associated with a Black Supremacy group?

     Posted by snowball777 at 07/11/2009 @ 12:44pm

123. Posted by JakobFabian at 07/11/2009 @ 08:54am |

     Not that I believe the banks are guiltless in the rise of defaults on morts to minorities, but it takes two to tango.

     I've read WAY too many stories about elderly minority folk who tapped their equity only to find themselves underwater...incompetence IS a factor, though certainly not exclusive to people of color.

     Posted by snowball777 at 07/11/2009 @ 12:59pm

124. Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 03:08am

     I'm not sure I follow your argument here. Are you saying your 1,850 edits on Wikipedia makes you an expert on racial controversy? Or perhaps that redlining, mortgage discrimination, and racially restrictive covenants don't and have never existed? Or that white flight did not occur, thus driving down many communities' property values?

     Detroit, huh? Maybe you should edit this page too?

     "An example of racial steering occurring in the United States can be seen in Detroit, Michigan. When the automobile industry opened up new factories creating many jobs in 1916 - 1917 and again in 1924, many African Americans migrated to reap the benefits. This migration changed the racial, social, economic, and political landscape of Detroit. City officials were faced with racial tensions almost overnight. Racial tensions were maintained by the city officials when they supported movements and laws that allowed racial segregation and discrimination in housing, employment and community services to continue."

     http://tinyurl.com/n63oxp

     Posted by FLaim at 07/11/2009 @ 2:34pm

125. Posted by KevinRiley at 07/11/2009 @ 03:18am(etc.)

     Yep.

     And I was beat up by a girl once.

     Damn feminists.

     I am guessing, by 'berkeley', you mean you live in SC. That would explain alot,

     Posted by Malcontent at 07/11/2009 @ 2:53pm

126. you people are nuts.

     we are all african.

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 3:08pm

127. kevin riley:

     people are always saying, "those mexicans are responsible for so much crime!".

     i lived in mexico for 10 years. i lived on streets with 99.9999999% mexican populations.

     in fact, i was surrounded by 100,000,000 of them.

     never had a problem.

     i have, however, been assaulted by drunk, white americans twice in my hometown.

     we've got to send those white people back to where they came from.

     stupid humans.

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 3:22pm

128. we've got to send those white people back to where they came from.

     stupid humans.

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 3:22pm

     Oooo!! I wanna go!

     (where are we going?)

     Posted by Malcontent at 07/11/2009 @ 5:09pm

129. Why is it ok for B.E.T, the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund and affirmative action...(I could go on for days) to all have their place in society but when a private club turns away minorities it causes a fuss? Their reason for turning away these people does not matter they are a private club with a membership and the freedom to do as they please. If I were to walk into any country club wearing shorts and t-shit I would be told to leave, because I did not fit the environment and the standards they wish to keep. I personally have no problem with minorities (I can not really say that in CA because I being white am the minority). I grew up in a lower middle class family but through hard work and education have been able to overcome. I have a story of racism, my car broke down in the city of Compton and I had to walk a mile to find a phone to call a tow truck, btw I asked several establishments if I could use a phone and was told in no uncertain terms I could not. Once I found a payphone to use I was surrounded by police and told that I did not belong there. Guess what, I did not alert the media !! Its life deal with it.

     Posted by Pawnshop at 07/11/2009 @ 6:31pm

130. Oooo!! I wanna go! (where are we going?)

     Posted by Malcontent at 07/11/2009 @ 5:09pm

     africa.

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 6:54pm

131. I asked several establishments if I could use a phone and was told in no uncertain terms I could not.

     Posted by Pawnshop at 07/11/2009 @ 6:31pm

     well,

     i've been white all my life and have spent much time in places where i have been the only caucasian.

     maybe it's your karma.

     you can use my phone.

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 6:58pm

132. you can use my phone.

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 6:58pm

     Thank you so much but I do not ever leave home without my cellphone any longer.

     Posted by Pawnshop at 07/11/2009 @ 7:19pm

133. "black kids don't feel comfortable in the water".... - or something like that -....(Happy)

     luckily enough they don't feel comfortable as WASP's either...or directly as members of the WASP culture that the Reps defined as the one ruling class. Was not it?

     I am afraid some people won't change in 200 years because they are white and their souls....black?? What bothers me the most is that those people are the ones that put it into themselves as the "Christ followers". Would you guys still follow Him if He was black?

     Hypocrites!!!

     Posted by Frank42 at 07/11/2009 @ 7:55pm

134. actually, christ was arab.

     heheh

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 8:53pm

135. actually, christ was arab.

     heheh

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 8:53pm

     Really!? Damn I have been lied to all these years by the murals! I always thought he was a sandy blonde, blue eyed white guy. Drat!

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/11/2009 @ 9:43pm

136. actually, christ was arab.

     heheh

     Posted by frosty zoom at 07/11/2009 @ 8:53pm

     I agree of course! But I bet He will be mistaken by kind a 'bin Laden' sort by some.... No offense.

     Posted by Frank42 at 07/11/2009 @ 10:49pm

137. This article was very moving. But I was distrubed when she said nothing about W.E. DuBois' sexist language. Very offensive.

     Melissa, sexism is just as bad as racism. We can't do justice to the topic of racism without also addressing sexism, and vice versa.

     In the future, please quote someone like bell hooks in your articles.

     Posted by ktrig at 07/12/2009 @ 12:17am

138. Can anybody please tell me why all of these things are looked at so passively...B.E.T, the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund and affirmative action? If you were to substitute white into any of those you would never hear the end of it. I am not racist by any means but it just seems a bit hypocritical to me. Please only reply if you have an intelligent answer.

     Posted by Pawnshop at 07/12/2009 @ 12:27am

139. Melissa Harris-Lacewell's two anecdotes are rubbish. That children don't like their skin, or somebody elses skin, is not unusual or reprehensible. A redhead, Rita, in first grade gave me a kiss on the cheek in the coatroom. I recall wishing that she were not so intensely freckled. Janet, in the sixth grade had boobs and swished her ass when she walked, but her shiny, oily skin was a turn off. In college I had a Chinese girlfriend whose soft, delicate skin was a turn on. Having sold ice cream at the beach I know that black children's least favorite flavor is chocolate. Are they bigoted? If a white child shares that color bias, is that racism?

     As to the Philly incident, that that club's membership includes blacks defeats the racial argument. But even if without black members, it would be perfectly reasonable to object to having to share a pool across the summer with a horde of bussed-in kids, whatever their race. That defeats the whole purpose of paying for a private over a public pool.

     People, including not a few whites, remain hung up on skin color. They're addicted. They literally need the issue. It is essential to their emotional, intellectual, and often economic sustenance.

     The truth is, the human needs that sustained color based racism, remain alive and present thought that form of bigotry is discredited. The need to have someone to look down on gnaws in us yet.

     Nowadays one of its forms is PC. It means being more moral, nobler and loftier, smarter and better, than for example the crude and nasty Bush Republicans, so utterly stupid and wicked and opposed to the well being of humankind.

     Those are the new racists, honing a new form of bias, but incited by the old need to have someone to complain about, feel contempt for, feel superior to.

     Posted by Hugo_Pirovano at 07/12/2009 @ 04:12am

140. Posted by Hugo_Pirovano at 07/12/2009 @ 04:12am

     Did you not actually read the article? It seems like you just thumbed through it. The organization PAID for these bussed in kids to swim at the pool.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 07/12/2009 @ 04:47am

141. this is the remark of a racist.

     Posted by emile duBois at 07/10/2009 @ 2:31pm | ignore this person | warn this person

     no. it was a statement of fact.

     instead of calling me names, why not argue the logic?

     instead you call me a racist. well played. fantabuluous intellect!

     Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/12/2009 @ 08:40am

142. Posted by Pawnshop at 07/12/2009 @ 12:27am |

     As a less-than-affluent, white kid with good grades attempting to get into a 'good school' in CA, I was confronted with the dilemma of affirmative action, especially as applied to Asian-American's who, through the diligence of their parents and culture, would have no problem getting into those same schools anyway, but it occurred to me that if they need to reserve spaces for minorities, then they must accept quite a few white people already, right?

     As for BET...compare and contrast with www.cbn.com

     Posted by snowball777 at 07/12/2009 @ 11:01am

143. but it occurred to me that if they need to reserve spaces for minorities, then they must accept quite a few white people already, right?

     As for BET...compare and contrast with www.cbn.com

     Posted by snowball777 at 07/12/2009 @ 11:01am | ignore this person

     In regards to affirmative action....that is my point, I could care less if it was 100% of any race,creed or sex getting into the best schools, highest paying jobs or government contracts. These things should be based solely on merit and ability.

     As for www.cbn.com. Anybody that lives their life based on a book of fiction is...delusional. I am all for people having faith but how can you have such strong faith for something that science (let alone logic) has largely disputed.

     Posted by Pawnshop at 07/12/2009 @ 12:34pm

144. Unfortunately, racism around skin color is still alive. My mentor for twenty years, Dr. Edward Robinson, Jr., 91 years old, merely calls it the PROBLEM. His theory of AFRICAN GENESIS has been in affect for over 40 years and has inspired numerous situations including mandatory learning of African and African American history in Philadelphia schools in order to graduate. Learning about African history, particularly has a transformation effect on AA people and caucasians alike.

     Please look at: www.youtube.com/africangenesis. This documentary series shot in Egypt and Ghana shows what happens to racism when all people learn about the greatness of Ancient African ancestry.

     Posted by delonlott at 07/12/2009 @ 7:52pm

145. This issue is not a complicated one for me.If the pool was truly interested in safety rather than controlling the race mix at the pool, then that's fine (although to use the word "complexion" in his statement was pretty stupid on the part of the director, no matter what he ment (the guy needs to take a course in Recent United States Politically Correct History). For me though, the issue centers on the Constitutional concept of Private Property: If we are talking about a privately owned establishment, the owners should be allowed to admit or not admit any one they choose, for any reason, and need not justify their decision to anyone. If the establishment is public, then they must allow anyone in who can pay the cost of the membership, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender etc,etc etc. Should be a simple issue, but of course, it won;t be in this day and age.

     Chip

     Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 07/13/2009 @ 07:13am

146. This issue is not a complicated one for me.If the pool was truly interested in safety rather than controlling the race mix at the pool, then that's fine (although to use the word "complexion" in his statement was pretty stupid on the part of the director, no matter what he ment (the guy needs to take a course in Recent United States Politically Correct History). For me though, the issue centers on the Constitutional concept of Private Property: If we are talking about a privately owned establishment, the owners should be allowed to admit or not admit any one they choose, for any reason, and need not justify their decision to anyone. If the establishment is public, then they must allow anyone in who can pay the cost of the membership, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender etc,etc etc. Should be a simple issue, but of course, it won;t be in this day and age.

     Chip

     Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 07/13/2009 @ 07:13am

147. emile's response to my statements (calling me a racist for attempting to explain white attitudes toward "black and brown" without simply wringing hands and bemoaning human and historical iniquity) gets to the crux of the problem in terms of productively discussing this issue.

     above i summarized the FACTS that "black and brown" are STATISTICALLY more likely to commit violent and property crimes than white or east asian. is this a racist statement? no - it is a statistically supported fact, a well documented measurement of external reality.

     now first - i'm not saying no whites are racists (please follow the logical argument and try to avoid knee-jerk politically correct emotional personal attacks - not logically valid or consistent). nor am i saying that every white person could accurately quote incarceration and crime rates off the top of his/her head...

     but the average white person IS aware of the ugly truth reflected by the above statistics...

     so the urge to avoid such a reaction by whites is racist? perhaps, dependent upon one's personal definition of "racist", but on the other hand this avoidance of perceived and documented likelihood of danger seems to me the most basic of common sense.

     all i was trying to do was offer an alternative to lockstep, knee-jerk, liberal race mantra, which seems to me, based on results, to have been less than successful in "solving all the (race) problems" in happily ever after utopian fashion.

     if i have the option of walking through two neighborhoods at midnight, and my choice is based on nothing more than the information that one neighborhood is "white" and another is "black"...based on what i know about viiolence and property crime rates...i gotta go with the white neighborhood...

     racist or instinct for survival?

     Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/13/2009 @ 1:43pm

148. racist or instinct for survival?

     Posted by ibbleblibble at 07/13/2009 @ 1:43pm

     Racist instinct for survival?

     Posted by Malcontent at 07/13/2009 @ 8:12pm