This section requires Flash Player (version 9). You can download the Flash player here

News & Politricks >> more News & Politricks

Philly Pool President Responds...

Posted by: The Connector 7/12/2009 | 5,063 Views

See Original Story >>

COMMENTS

The president of a suburban swim club at the center of a racial discrimination controversy said today safety factors - not racism - prompted the pool to rescind a contract with a Northeast Philadelphia day camp.

John Duesler also said he chose his words poorly in an earlier statement explaining why the Valley Club was ending its arrangement with the predominantly black and Hispanic camp.

In that statement to NBC10, he had said, "There is a lot of concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion ... the atmosphere of the club."

"This is a terrible misinterpretation of what I stand for. This is just wrong," Duesler said while standing with his wife Bernice at the pool's gate. "That was a terrible choice of words, I admit."

TAGS -

44 comments

My 21st century optimism was hoping that there was some reason that could easily be explained for something this damaging to happen to such impressionable minds. Some may not be surprised by what occurred but some surely are shocked by it. An apology is due to each child from the club and with the media coverage I am sure there are a number of facilities that would be honored to host and assist the day camp with the larger picture of their purpose. For many who heard about it, now “it’s old news” but also for many it’s a reminder why sites like this exist. Determination, sweat equity, and perseverance. Thanks Global Grind!

ChameleonCurse 7/13/2009 | reply
0
SOMETIME PEOPLE FORGET THE COLORS OF THE WORLD.RED.AND YELLOW .BLACK AND WHITE.WE ARE THE WORLD.A CLOSE MIND IS NO MIND.CHECK TNE CENSUS.

brownsugar 7/12/2009 | reply
0
First of all, those kids could not be lying, because some were crying about what was said by the people at the pool. How can you underestimated the capacity at the last minute (fake cough - bullsh*t). Just admit the fact that the families their at least some of them are racist and let it be known that it is the communities facility therefore they can do whatever they choose to at the location. Guess what they are frightened by the media response but they should have expected it after the kids overheard those comments. Stupid, stupid - now your foots are in your azzes and you can't take them out without showing the color of the sh&t that come out from there. I understand and I don't feel bad, they should be prosecuted for discrimination, teach them a good lesson. Now if it isn't discrimination, I want to know how many other black kids or organizations are allowed or booked on the property for that purpose. Maybe it is not the skin color but their social status - did anyone try to investigate that part?

Silly Girl 7/12/2009 | reply
0
Yea, yea, yea he was a racist from the beginning and always will be. I hope these parents sue the pants off of them.

nikki 7/12/2009 | reply
0
This aint nothing new.. Yall think racism is over.

Guess What?

Its not!!

beautiful.queen1986 7/11/2009 | reply
0
I think everyone is wasting time on trivial pathetic people that are narrow minded. If these people want to live in their own little world and continue with ignorance, then so be it. Let's not add to their ridiculous behaviour by discussing this issue any further.

VanessaV 7/10/2009 | reply
0
LoL i dont see the big deal at all? why would any1 wanna go to a pool that represented themselves in that way anywaz? dont let stuff get to u so easily, u cant enjoy life like that, if people wanna act stupid let them, no need for a reaction to a stupid action!

PiMpJV187 7/10/2009 | reply
0
This is sad!!!! I can not beleive that this continues to exist in 2009!! However, if they do not use any government funding,this is, hate to say it, legal. One should ask the question, where does most of their funding come from?

Jynice 7/9/2009 | reply
0
What the HELL is up with that?I can't believe that anyone,anywhere would try speak that way.You think what you want,feel how you want but you keep it to yourself.The reality is that those type of ppl still exist.Bill O'Reilly ppl swim in Philly. WHO KNEW. lol

justicesoon 7/9/2009 | reply
0
- Huh??
  
  Why would I "keep what [I] think and what [I] feel to myself in this context?? This is a blog/chat thread based upon an article. THE ENTIRE POINT IS TO SPEAK MY MIND AND FEELINGS.
  
  Should I be silent for posing a valid question?? Is that not the definition of tyranny??
  
  John 7/9/2009 | reply
  0
Your picture is from Selma, AL probably a good 60 years ago and your story is all rumor...not journalism but surely ment to stir up hate. Why are you hate mongering and pushing reverse racism? Two wrongs, ya know? But your doing it with intention so now you have lost all credibility, so sad.

Eve 7/9/2009 | reply
0
- No one is publishing a rumor. If you go to "See Original Post" it takes you to the NBC site where it was originally captured. They can't reproduce pics from that site for copyright reasons. The story is factual, the only thing in question is what the pool officials claim to mean and what they really meant.
  
  Bottom line, it's rather suspect for you to agree to have 65 kids at your pool and then have a REVELATION after several black kids show up that "you don't have space". It was rude of them either way to kick the camp out, they paid their money and if there was an issue it should have been discussed later.
  
  http://poeticfreedom.wordpress.com
  
  LyricalQT 7/10/2009 | reply
  0
- I beg to differ. My local news station as well as cnn reported on this story and they had this picure along with several others...
  
  Tascha 7/10/2009 | reply
  0
So if people can't be exclusive in private clubs, can Latinos and Jews apply to private scholarships offered by the United Negro College Fund?

John 7/9/2009 | reply
0
- You do have a valid point there.
  
  Toni 7/9/2009 | reply
  0
- I'm just saying... If we, as a society, are going to bring this up as an issue and debate its validity, should we not also consider the double-standards that exist?
  
  John 7/9/2009 | reply
  0
- i understand what u saying but a white only POOL?! they advertise to the public...next time they should make it clear! and you guys are right they have the right to whatever they please with their business. and they also have the right to believe whatever they like! and to your question about scholarships...i know of several people who put hispanic or black on college applications and as white as bread.
  
  anthony jackson 7/9/2009 | reply
  0
- I'll bet my "white suburbia" neighborhood is less likely to pull a gun on a black-family-moving-in than a white couple walking through "The Hill".
  
  So when this new Hate Crimes legislation passes, what's going to happen to Rev. Wright?
  
  Tom 7/9/2009 | reply
  0
- Anthony: Interesting point. But at the same time, I've seen people come from multi-racial families, and have children that look pretty white. I guess the question I'm asking is, "how black does one have to be in order to be called black?"
  
  And why does it matter anyway?
  
  Maybe thats just me. I, persoally, have been blessed with working in a lab with people from all over the world. So race/culture isn't an issue of competence/acceptance for me. When these issues come up (and they do), they're often comparing and contrasting different views. Its rather enriching on an intellectual level.
  
  I really hate to say this, but in my experience so far, most of the people who scream "discrimination" are often extremely discriminating.
  
  John 7/9/2009 | reply
  0
who cares let them have their pool. Its on them...I'm sure there are other pools. Yes it's sad and makes them look really stupid but we can't control people. Its their choice and right.

Casse 7/9/2009 | reply
0
People, people, people, this is still America, and people have a right to associate with whom they please. It was a private club. As long as they do not accept any goverment subsidy, they may may exclude whomever they please.

jim 7/9/2009 | reply
0
- Jim, Jim, Jim, sounds like you are one of the reasons this still goes on. Come on people, this is America where everyone should be free and equal.
  
  syd 7/9/2009 | reply
  0
UT O somebody get Sharpton on the horn...

DropDap 7/9/2009 | reply
0
The article mentions Philly but read the sign it says Selma, Alabama....????

Rob 7/9/2009 | reply
0