If You Don't Want My "Complexion" There, Your Pool Can Go To Hell, Along With Your Racist Patrons, Valley Swim Club

Like you, when I first read this story, I was pissed. I can imagine what those kids felt like, having had that kind of rejection before, just not as bad. What they felt must be devastating. I was so angered, I felt compelled to call and email, the latter of which was successful. Here's the email:

As a veteran, I completely understand your "club" (for the lack of a
more appropriate word; I prefer snakepit however) wanting to be
private. These are the freedoms vets like myself fight/fought for
everyday. As a veteran, I am truly vexed that when people of all
races and creeds die to give you and your patrons such freedoms, you
turn back children because of their race. How dare you? As an
American woman of Caribbean descent, I am ashamed FOR you. In 2009,
there is no excuse for such inane thinking, archaic reasoning and
outright racism.

Shame on your for turning back children who could've learned so much
about generosity, change and positivity. They could've gotten a
POSITIVE view of race relations. Every child, regardless of race, has
incredible potential if they have the support system to back them up
and believe in them. Those kids will not forget your coldness, and I
hope that your swim club reaps what it sowed, as I am sure it will.

You are a disgraceful lot, and I am truly disgusted by your ilk. In
time, you may be able to go back to quiet anonymity, but do believe
that karma is a very real, and true, phenomenon, and you will get what
you deserve.

Save the apologies, as we know they will not be sincere. To do
something so cold blooded to children, is a most vile and disgusting
thing to do.

Then I started thinking, that I am TIRED of getting mad at the exclusionary practices of some bigots, racists and imbeciles due to race, creed, sexuality etc. See, black folks are not strangers to exclusion. It is part of our historical tapestry. With that said, I think an even better lesson for those kids could've been to have them attend a pool whose boardmembers and membership were predominantly black. I think that would've saved their sanity.

Do I believe all hell should be raised? Yes. These children need to know that we are willing to fight for them. God knows it seems like we don't too often. I believe it is the right thing to call, and email, and voice our anger. At the same token, we need to teach our kids that if they are not welcome to the "party," by all means have your own.

P.S. That apology is bullshit. The lies are even more insulting. Those children did not "misunderstand" anything if they are crying and upset.

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