Popular Slideshows On CBS11TV.COM
Jul 9, 2009 9:00 pm US/Central
Racism Alleged As Kids Barred From Pa. Swim Club
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) ―
-
-
A Philadelphia camp director says parents of some minority children asked not to return to a suburban private pool are contemplating legal action after some kids said they heard racial comments.
CBS
A Philadelphia camp director says parents of some minority children asked not to return to a suburban private pool are contemplating legal action after the children said they overheard racist comments, CBS station KYW-TV reported.
Alethea Wright of Creative Steps Day Camp in northeast Philadelphia said she had contracted for 65 children to go to the Valley Swim Club. After the group arrived June 29, however, Wright said some of the children reporting overhearing members ask why "black kids" were at the pool.
"Some of the members began pulling their children out of the pool and were standing around with their arms folded," Wright said. "Only three members left their children in the pool with us."
Wright said she went to talk to a group of members and heard one woman say she would see to it that her group did not return. The club refunded the group's money without explanation, Wright said.
"I was shocked because I live around there and I didn't know people still thought like that," 12-year-old day camper Marcus Allen said as he fought back tears.
KYW-TV's attempts to reach swim club officials Thursday were unsuccessful.
Sen. Arlen Specter has issued a statement saying he is looking into the matter.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will immediately investigate, chairman Stephen A. Glassman said Thursday.
"Allegedly, this group was denied the use of a pool based on their race," Glassman said. "If the allegations prove to be true, this is illegal discrimination in Pennsylvania."
An investigation was requested by the NAACP. The state NAACP president, J. Whyatt Mondesire, who serves on the Human Relations Commission, said in the statement that the commission can hold the club accountable if it is found to have discriminated against the campers.
The club issued a statement Thursday afternoon that read:
"The Valley Club is deeply troubled by the recent allegations of racism which are completely untrue.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Recent Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments