Coming home on the commuter rail, I shared my lunch and enjoyed the company of an endearing and charming "gentleman. "
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We shared numerous details of our personal lives - I mostly listened to his, and sadly admit that I didn't understand all of his conversation.
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He explained the details of a movie he viewed in Boston, unfamiliar to me and he shared the wisdom of his years -- 5 years to be precise.
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The train was air conditioned and he put on his sweat shirt.
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When I put mine over my head, we shared a few comments about curly 'dos,' mine being only slightly less curly than his.
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We shared the map of the train stops and he commented about which was next and counted the number 'til he was 'home.'
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My charming lunch companion never noticed that his skin was decidedly darker than mine, nor did I. He was just intent on continuing our interesting luncheon dialogue.
When I reviewed emails accumulated during my luncheon encounter, I discovered Color of Change reported about a particularly egregious incident of racism ---
Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, 65 children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club that their camp had a contract to use. Apparently, the people at the club didn't know that the group of kids was predominantly Black.
Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, 65 children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club that their camp had a contract to use. Apparently, the people at the club didn't know that the group of kids was predominantly Black.
When the campers entered the pool, White parents allegedly took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club's staff asked the campers to leave. The next day, the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that their payment would be refunded. When asked why, the club's manager said that a lot of kids "would change the complexion ... and the atmosphere of the club."
A "Whites only" pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. The club's actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act. Whether or not any laws were violated, a "Whites only" pool should be something every American condemns.
Caution is advised in viewing the video below due to an obscenity.
"Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion," NBC Philadelphia, 07-08-09 http://bit.ly/90Zyr
"Section 1981 Summary," Employment Law Information Network http://www.elinfonet.com/1981sum.php
"60 Black Kids Booted from Philly Pool For Being Black -- Speak Out," Jill Tubman at Jack and Jill Politics, 07-08-09 http://bit.ly/GkJTs
VIDEO: "Please Don't Change the Complexion of our Pool," This Week in Blackness, 07-08-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saTCMJVYljU
"Swim Club Accused of Discrimination," FOX 29 Philadelphia, 07-08-09 http://bit.ly/7EKGy
"Valley Swim Club: Day Two," Adam B at Daily Kos, 07-08-09 http://bit.ly/qbpSA
Casino proponents in Middleboro were alarmed when Glenn "The Felon" Marshall suggested to them that casino opponents were racists.
Since Casino Proponents in Middleboro have expressed their widespread concern and opposition of racism, I share this in the sincere belief that this incident is deserving of widespread condemnation and hope those vocal critics will step forward in their comments about the Valley Club.
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Since I was present on two occasions when Glenn "The Felon" Marshall repeated verbatim his racist criticism, if anyone is in contact with him in his federal abode, maybe they could share this incident in hopes that he would speak out for these children based on his sincere concern about racism.
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