Why The Surprise Over Racism?
It never ceases to amaze me when people think it’s breaking news when something racially unsettling goes down. Because the fact of the matter is that it’s been known to happen, and it’s not hiding either.
Take the hubub about a Montgomery County swim club closing its doors to Creative Steps, Inc. day camp whose kids are all minorities. A few of the kids claim to have heard club members questioning why African American campers were there in the first place.
As the first story posted on Philly.com this morning, it’s rather unsettling to think that people find something like this shocking and newsworthy when racism isn't exactly uncommon around Philly.
Just last week, I found myself in a situation where an older Polish guy thought it would be hilarious to propose he be my sugar daddy, after saying to me “You know I love all kinds of people, all kinds of women.” This could have been interpreted in two ways: Different races, or different sizes. Either way, it was rude.
I don’t want to be the black girl that cries racism every chance I get, but I will say this: There is a certain way that people of my background read what’s said to us. For example, a white man in a suit should never feel powerful enough to say to a black woman, “I’m sure you’ve never tasted white chocolate before.” Really? Disgusting.
Yes, unfortunately these things have been said, but what is more is when you try really hard not to let racial consciousness affect your own confidence, making you feel that certain things are unattainable because you’re black or a woman for that matter, but that’s the whole point. Knowing and accepting that racism does still exist is half the battle to actually getting over it.
In the story, it says that NBC10 received a statement from the club president John Deusler saying that “there was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion ... and the atmosphere of the club."
Was “complexion” really the best word used to describe the situation?
Deusler should’ve thought about that one to save himself from getting “racist” stamped across his forehead.
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1. Brian S. said... on Jul 9, 2009 at 05:11PM
“Why the surprise? It is the 21st century. Call it for what it obviously is, "RACISM"...and a nasty kind of 50's throwback flavor to it also. Screw PC and eloquence in ones choice of wording, it is what it is. Some still want racial confrontation, amidst a class war...whose the idiot in this case. Maybe if the economy continues to bottom out, and your middle-class foundation erodes to dust and you land in the inner-city, I guess we can kick you out of our pools. Only in Amerikkka....”
2. S. Roots said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 04:19AM
“I buy the Daily News with the swim story on the cover as I walk into the Trolley Diner on G'Town Ave in Mt Airy. The waitress seats the guy in front of me. After a long wait she comes back. She hands me two menus and two bundles of silver wear and tells met to go seat myself anywhere. She then seats the folks behind me.
My date is livid that I would let the waitress tell me to seat myself until she sees me go behind the counter to get a receipt pad so I could take our order. We decided it was probably best to just leave.
I called to speak to the owner and asked if it was his policy for waitresses to tell patrons to seat themselves. He said no. I asked if it could be because we were black that she sat that whites before us and after us in line. He hung up on me.
Of course racisim is still alive. I had hoped for the owner to apologize and maybe ask us to come back for better treatment since we had just left. But no! His hanging up on me let me know my leaving was the right thing to do”
3. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 07:59AM
“I rest my case. Unfortunately, no matter how many people ie. (*cough *cough) you know who you are... feel that it is no longer an issue because we have a biracial president, it does come up, more regularly than a lot of people realize. *yawn... just another day in the life....”
4. Anonymous said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 08:01AM
“The pool incident is definitely racist - there is no doubt about it. But your comment about what that man said to you was not racist - just cocky and stupid as all men can be at times. And actually black men say that all the time to white women. That is where white men picked it up from. I don't consider it racist, just their way of flirting, albeit poorly.... :) If it isn't racist for black men, it certainly isn't racist for anyone else.”
5. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 08:19AM
“You're absolutely right, I also never said that it wasn't racist from a black man's end, if he said it to a white woman. I believe that racism goes both ways.. I refuse to be the girl that only complains when it happens to me, but I am aware of "reverse racism," it's just as inappropriate if you ask me.”
6. Pete said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 08:43AM
“I know John Deusler personally. I am so amused that all of you liberals have turned on one of your own. John is so liberal it makes me want to puke. But most of you are so quick to form an opinion even though you weren't there. You believe everything the media feeds you, without realizing that the media is now in the entertainment business. This is such a non-story.....”
7. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 09:35AM
“Pete darling, let's not be too hasty here... The point of this story is not to bash Deusler, leave that to other media outlets. The point of this story is simply to emphasize that racism has never died, whether Deusler said what he allegedly said or not. It's unfortunate that he's being attacked from all ends of the media, but it is good commentary to use as a present day example of people's ignorance to a problem that was never really solved to begin with..”
8. Kev said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 09:42AM
“Its unfortunate these children had to encounter racism at a early age. But the truth of the matter is this will happen countless more times before they even reach college. Racism isn’t going anywhere. It’s here to stay forever. In my lifetime time I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I’ve faced a racial issue from going to a all white high school, dating a white woman in the past, to just being 6’3’’ and dark skinned. The sad part about this issue is that people would point the finger if these kids were running the streets and causing problems in the local community, but yet they deny them access to enjoy themselves and just be children. What kind of seeds are we planting in these kids’ heads? At such a young age they are vulnerable to anything they are exposed to. We have to remember these are kids, and I strongly believe we all forget at times what it’s like to be a kid.”
9. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 09:57AM
“Kev, that was well put. Sometimes we do forget what it's like to be a kid, and it's disturbing to think that these 65 campers won't have the opportunity to believe that "ignorance is bliss." Since they are so young and this whole incident has placed them center stage, they will always be aware..maybe even too aware for their own good. *sighs for the generations of the future.”
10. huh said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 10:53AM
“Akron police say they aren't ready to call it a hate crime or a gang initiation.
But to Marty Marshall, his wife and two kids, it seems pretty clear.
It came after a family night of celebrating America and freedom with a fireworks show at Firestone Stadium. Marshall, his family and two friends were gathered outside a friend's home in South Akron.
Out of nowhere, the six were attacked by dozens of teenage boys, who shouted ''This is our world'' and ''This is a black world'' as they confronted Marshall and his family.
The Marshalls, who are white, say the crowd of teens who attacked them and two friends June 27 on Girard Street numbered close to 50. The teens were all black.
http://www.ohio.com/news/50172282.html”
11. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:46AM
“In response to "huh" : Thanks for sharing that link. I rest my case.”
12. Pete said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 01:03PM
“Tara, baby, thanks for your profound insight.....you mean the article is about the fact that people are still racist. OMG!!! Thank you for enlightening us. Have you called CNN???
Isn't the more interesting story why the media has elected to use the "Valley Swim Club" as the diving board (pun intended) for a discussion on racism? Could it be that the media is looking for ratings??? Probably not. I am sure that the media has everyone's best interest at heart.”
13. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 01:33PM
“Pete, you are making this day so much more interesting for me. Again, the Philly.com article is about discrimination against minority children. My commentary here is about the hooplah centered around it... the act by everyone, including the media, that it is shocking that something like this happened is what bothers me... No Need to call CNN, trust me they are quite aware. Of course the media is looking for ratings! That's the whole point. Why on earth is it breaking news when discrimination is the issue, and It Happens EVERYDAY?”
14. Pete said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 01:46PM
“Tara: you are making my day more interesting also, so much so that I decided to move happy hour up an hour. I have no idea what you are saying. I think you are saying that it isn't shocking that this "occurred" because discrimination occurs everyday. Of course, you understand that your logic is completely circular because it presumes that something occurred. With me so far?
I'm suggesting the real story is why the media choose to get everyone all whipped up, so much so that Senator Spectacle needed to issue a statement regarding racism. It is the media and Senator Spectacle that are the problem. May I suggest that you write that story?”
15. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 01:57PM
“Pete, regardless of if this happened or not, discrimination does occur everyday and people always get so worked up about it like it's something appallingly impossible. That is what I'm addressing, the response. Blame who you like, the media or the senator, racism/discrimination is no longer breaking news, but Philadelphia sure seems to think so.
Most Importantly, the Valley Swim Club is just an example used to voice irritation with a much bigger issue; ignorance. Now are you with me?”
16. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:00PM
“Oh and Pete? I haven't disagreed with you that the media is choosing to get everyone "all whipped up," or "Senator Spectacle." I'll take your idea into consideration :)”
17. Ben said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:06PM
“Racism is a problem that will never be solved, in my opinion. Humans seem to have an innate need to discriminate against people different from themselves. Racism arises from differences in skin color, culture etc. But racism is not the only manifestation of this need to discriminate, although it has gained the most attention. For example, you will rarely hear about shy or nerdy people being picked on or bullied or made fun of. If it's not racism, it's going to be something else. People will always find a reason to hate on other people. especially if they know it won't attract any attention. The best one can do is to keep the issue alive and keep people on their toes. It won't solve the problem but at least it will keep it at bay, inasmuch as the continuous working of a bucket keeps a leaky dinghy from sinking.”
18. Capitalist Pig said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:14PM
“Europeans, in the latter part of the last millennium, utilized race as the major factor for embarking on, engaging and maintaining the trade in human beings, and in America, created and maintained a sub-citizen class for continued economic gain. Additionally, European-Americans created a citizen class of "white" that was to strip all nationalistic divisions between European Americans, making them all "American." The creation of these two divisions and categorizations were a European / European-American construct. Now, Europeans/European Americans are struck (confused, angry, etc.) when the continued utilization of these divisions based on "race" comes back to bite them in the buttocks. In America, we have eliminated that division of "race" as it pertains to citizenship. You [European Americans] created/maintained the problem, and it doesn't just go away because you desire it to. A massive amount of work has gone into getting us all to this point & more work is still yet to be done!”
19. Pete said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:15PM
“Baby, I've always been with you.....I think the second margarita helped. You and I disagree about the cause of the problem. I'm telling you that "people" get "worked up" because of the Media/Senator. "Philadelphia" wouldn't care one iota if it were for the enlightened media. You became aware of the story from the media.
I want you to do my a favor, and not respond to this post. I bet you cannot help yourself, that you will have to write back, because you are part of the media, which we both agree is the problem.”
20. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:29PM
“Pete, you are right. I have to comment back, and it's not to disagree with u. you are right, I am "the media," I learned about this from the "media," and all of that.. Enjoy your margaritas. BUT, even tho the media is the culprit isn't still well within anyone's rights to vent about the response that came our of this, even if it was just a stunt for higher ratings??”
21. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:31PM
“Ben, I like where your head is at, because sadly, people are haters. It's sad though that this time it was directed at little kiddies.”
22. Tara said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:36PM
“Capitalist Pig .... interesting way to put that, but keep in mind u might pick up some "haters" along the way. (I'm not one of them don't worry.)”
23. Raymond said... on Jul 10, 2009 at 03:18PM
“It is very sad to see racism against childern, I now hope the media will also place the spot light on the serious racism problem in the Philadelphia Police Departmaent
http://www.counterpunch.org/washington05162008.html
”
24. bent not broken said... on Jul 11, 2009 at 07:29AM
“I find your conversation self absorbed. In my few years, the truth of hope for
change and acceptance lies in spirituality. Our hearts desire is known, and
good will always prevail. Often we see experiences in negative light. Track these children as you may have just met the teary eyed supreme court justice.
In this I see no stronger motivation to study and change law.
”