# Philly swimming pool kicks out black kids, "doesn't allow minorities" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 8, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355 "2009-07-08T19:15:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/61 "2009-07-08T21:23:02Z")
There are a bunch of pictures on the club’s website of people enjoying their facilities, and I can’t spot a minority in any of them. Also, the club’s swim team is lily-white. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/62 "2009-07-08T21:36:44Z")
I sent a nicely worded e-mail telling the club exactly what I think of their actions. If anyone else would like to the addy is: [redacted] It only takes a moment, and made me feel a bit better. If nothing else, the club should have to refund the price of the camp to the parents of those kids. I’m certain that swimming was a primary draw for choosing the camp, and it’s unlikely they’ll find another place in the week or two the kids are signed up. It breaks my heart to think of what has been done to those kids. I wish I could send a note to each of them, telling then that very few people agree with this way of thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/63 "2009-07-08T21:40:48Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > For now I choose mindless yelling, but I’ll read the article tonight if I have time. A minor suggestion, in good faith? If you can’t participate fully in a thread, consider whether you should be participating in it. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/64 "2009-07-08T21:46:53Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Not to defend the racist scumbags, but 60+ kids can be a lot. The pool I go to has some day camps like that show up on weekdays. With maybe 20-30 kids showing up, the entire dynamic changes. What was once a relaxing morning turns into Land of the Rowdy. I went home more than a few times with my beach towel soaking wet because of all the splashing. Eventually I stopped going on weekdays. (Another reason of which is I got a job, so there you go.) Hell, I’d run screaming if 60 kids showed up \*anywhere \*I was, but as mentioned, presumably the club understood that they were opening their pool to a day camp full of kids. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/65 "2009-07-08T21:49:32Z")
Northeast Philly. Why am I not surprised? ---
**Author:** ![Anduril](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/66 "2009-07-08T21:57:51Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > They said “we don’t allow minorities.” Until more solid evidence comes up, I’ll doubt this portion of the story. It could very well be that the black kids were total dicks and they were kicked out precisely because of this - and now they’re using the charge of racism for payback. It’s not entirely unheard of. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/67 "2009-07-08T22:01:50Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Hell, I’d run screaming if 60 kids showed up \*anywhere \*I was, but as mentioned, presumably the club understood that they were opening their pool to a day camp full of kids. They may not have known. You can sign up from the website. Click ‘WeekDay Membership’, enter ‘60’ in the the number of child memberships, give them a credit card number, and you are done. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/68 "2009-07-08T22:03:23Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > Also, the club’s swim team is lily-white. The bastards! I bet they have an all-white hockey team as well! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![imack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a9a28c/32.png) [@imack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imack)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/69 "2009-07-08T22:03:59Z")
> [@Anduril](#): > > Until more solid evidence comes up, I’ll doubt this portion of the story. It could very well be that the black kids were total dicks and they were kicked out precisely because of this - and now they’re using the charge of racism for payback. It’s not entirely unheard of. What do you think this means? > [@](#): > > “There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club,” John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/70 "2009-07-08T22:06:11Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > They may not have known. You can sign up from the website. Click ‘WeekDay Membership’, enter ‘60’ in the the number of child memberships, give them a credit card number, and you are done. If they can’t handle 60 kids at once maybe they shouldn’t book 60 kids at once? ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/71 "2009-07-08T22:06:37Z")
The idea that this club didn’t know how many kids they were expecting rather beggars belief. This was meant to be a weekly event through the duration of this summer camp program. Would the pool management actually make a contract with this camp (which they knew was run by black people for kids from the black community) without asking for specifics like “how many kids are you talking about?” I don’t think so. Knee-jerk racism run amuck, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/72 "2009-07-08T22:10:16Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > If they can’t handle 60 kids at once maybe they shouldn’t book 60 kids at once? Who says they booked them? It’s a club. You sign up for a membership and show up when ever you like. ---
**Author:** ![Anduril](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/73 "2009-07-08T22:10:20Z")
> [@imack](#): > > What do you think this means? They found that those particular kids were more rowdy than their regular members? I really can’t tell just from that. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/74 "2009-07-08T22:13:18Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I sent a nicely worded e-mail telling the club exactly what I think of their actions. If anyone else would like to the addy is The Board Rules say: > [@](#): > > Calls to Action: Threads calling for folks to take actions (political, charitable, personal, etc) are prohibited unless there is prior approval from a moderator or administrator. Do not instigate members to take action for or against any issue or entity. Do not post phone numbers, email addresses or any other personally identifiable information of any entity in this regard. Exceptions for valid and noble causes may be made with the advance permission of a moderator or administrator. > **[FAQ - Rules for Posting at the Straight Dope Message Boards](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=384736)** > > This thread lists the Rules for posting on the SDMB. These are the Major Rules and the Important Ones: violations have serious consequences. First, be sure to read the Registration Agreement This post is basically a “table of contents” for this... **TruCelt** , in the future, please check with a moderator before posting this sort of thing. No warning issued, but I have removed the email address from the quoted post. \*\*Gfactor \*\* Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/75 "2009-07-08T22:16:20Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > The club president implied that the problem was the sheer number of children showing up at once. Seems implausible to me, but I’d say there’s room for doubt as to the real reason … No doubt at all. A few black kids, that could be innocent playtime, but 60 or more at once is a raging mob, hell-bent on destroying the NE Philadelphia way of life. > [@Claire Beauchamp](#): > > I hope all the folks who think only Southerners can possibly be racist (and, conversely, that all Southerners are racist) will notice where this happened. Of course, everyone here says that, and certainly you can provide plenty of examples. Careful dear, a chip on your shoulder that size could make you lopsided. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/76 "2009-07-08T22:16:45Z")
My favorite part is this: [[QUOTE=nbcphiladelphia.com](http://QUOTE=nbcphiladelphia.com)] “When the minority children got in the pool all of the Caucasian children immediately exited the pool,” Horace Gibson, parent of a day camp child, wrote in an email. [/QUOTE] Kids already having a mindset like that. I’m sure they’ll grow up to be wonderful adults. Can’t say I’m going to be surprised (or sorry) if, as an adult, one of them gets their ass handed to them for doing something like this in a public area. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/77 "2009-07-08T22:19:18Z")
> [@imack](#): > > What do you think this means? > [@](#): > > “There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club,” John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement. That “a lot” of kids would change the complexion and atmosphere of the club. Not “black kids” would. Also, reporters are pretty well known for misquoting people. I’ve been quoted in newspaper articles many times and the majority of the time what they said I said wasn’t even close. ---
**Author:** ![imack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a9a28c/32.png) [@imack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imack)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/78 "2009-07-08T22:19:32Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > If they can’t handle 60 kids at once maybe they shouldn’t book 60 kids at once? Can I get an amen? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/79 "2009-07-08T22:24:20Z")
> [@imack](#): > > Can I get an amen? 😃 See posts #67 and #72. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355/80 "2009-07-08T22:28:10Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > They may not have known. You can sign up from the website. Click ‘WeekDay Membership’, enter ‘60’ in the the number of child memberships, give them a credit card number, and you are done. Don’t be absurd. Day camps don’t pay full price for things like this. They get group discounts. So they talked to someone there. And they probably wouldn’t pay with a credit card anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philly-swimming-pool-kicks-out-black-kids-doesnt-allow-minorities/502355.md?page=5)