Loading ...Summertime and Swimming Pool Racism (COMMENTS CLOSED)
ByIt’s summer time and kids across the land are looking for ways to cool off and have fun. Many of them turn to swimming pools, like these kids (NBCPhiladelphia).
During Jim Crow segregation, prevalent in the North as well as in the South, racial integration in public accommodations such as swimming pools was prohibited both by law and, in many more places, by custom. Then, the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965 passed, and discrimination on the basis of race in public accommodations such as swimming pools became illegal. Today, almost fifty years later many tend to regard racial discrimination in public accommodations a relic of a bygone era.
Unfortunately, some white folks in Northeast Philadelphia failed to get the message (h/t @netwoman). More than 60 African American kids attending a day camp in Northeast Philadelphia were turned away from a private swim club because of their race. Here’s the story from the local NBC affiliate:
“I heard this lady, she was like, ‘Uh, what are all these black kids doing here?’ She’s like, ‘I’m scared they might do something to my child,’” said camper Dymire Baylor.
The Creative Steps Day Camp paid more than $1900 to The Valley Swim Club. The Valley Swim Club is a private club that advertises open membership. But the campers’ first visit to the pool suggested otherwise.
“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. “The pool attendants came and told the black children that they did not allow minorities in the club and needed the children to leave immediately.”
The next day the club told the camp director that the camp’s membership was being suspended and their money would be refunded. “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.
Since this story broke earlier today, another camp has stepped in and and offered their pool to the kids where their “complexion” would not be a problem (h/t @AllAboutRace).
The actions of the white pool owners has caused so much controversy that U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) plans to launch an investigation into the discrimination claim. In a statement today, Specter said:
“The allegations against the swim club as they are reported are extremely disturbing. I am reaching out to the parties involved to ascertain the facts. Racial discrimination has no place in America today.”
It’s a good thing that there are laws in place that prohibit racial discrimination of this sort, and that people were outraged this happened, and that a U.S. Senator is stepping up to investigate and, at least potentially, take some action against these perpetrators of swimming pool racism.
Yet, it’s an appalling fact to realize that nearly fifty years after the passage of the Civil Rights Acts, we are still grapping with the continuing significance of racism in public places. We are, apparently, still at a point where we’re having to investigate people for violating the prohibition against racial discrimination in public accommodations. Think about these kids in Northeast Philly next time you hear someone use the phrase “post-racial.”
Update: If you’d like to tell the people at the exclusionary club what you think of their actions, you can reach them by email here: info@thevalleyclub.com or by phone here:215-947-0700 (h/t @CMcGranahan @harrislacewell).
2nd Update (7/10/09, 8:48amET): The Valley Club in NE Philly denies racism saying the kids were turned away because the pool was “overcrowded.” And, Cullen Jones, Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer and African American, reacts to this incident. Both here (via @BlackInformant).
3rd Update: Adam B at DailyKos has this sharp review of local newpapers and recent events.
UPDATE 4 (JOE):
The Swim Club has backed off, according to CNN:
A suburban Philadelphia swim club has invited children from a largely minority day-care center to come back after a June reversal that fueled allegations of racism against the club, a spokeswoman said Sunday. The development came during a hastily called Sunday afternoon meeting of the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Club members voted overwhelmingly to try to work things out with the day-care center, which accused some swim club members of making racist comments to black and Hispanic children contracted to use the pool, said Bernice Duesler, the club director’s wife.
A little public pressure and looks like they may belatedly do the right thing?
UPDATE Thursday, 7/16, 8:37amET: Comments are now closed (read-only, no additional posts). Previous posts that include personal attacks have been deleted. This blog is intended to be a place for civil, adult conversation about issues related to race and racism. While these subjects can become heated when people disagree, it’s possible to have such a conversation without resorting to ad hominem attacks against individuals. We invite you to comment elsewhere on the blog and remain respectful of each other. If you’re unable to do that, we invite you to find a different blog on which to post comments. – Joe & Jessie
Mom, I didn’t read everything you said. But I can answer the question as to why people discriminate: it gives them a higher social status and most Americans have been imprinted with the white racial frame of reference which is one of white superiority.
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I disagree with you on the point of education being the difference for poor white workers. More people are educated now than ever, and racism continues it’s destructive path. The last guy to get the boot for saying Africans were just plain ole less intelligent was a decorated scientist. Even American education system reinforces racist notions of who’s “proper” and who’s “abnormal.” Conservatives like to “think” on the myth of “acting white,” but the truth is, the farther you go in education, the more Eurocentric it becomes.
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No one here is saying classism doesn’t exist. We’re saying that’s a separate issue. And it wasn’t the problem at the pool that day.
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In regarding taking your sentences apart instead of entire paragraphs – they’re pointing out how your sentences contradict each other and don’t generally follow your philosophy of everyone working together.
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And you still have a question of mine to answer, since I did just answer the question you posed: what’s so antagonistic about addressing racial inequality?
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@TTj – “Dirty work”: that’s for sure. Besides that, you’re wrong. There’s no way to know society wouldn’t be global with Europe’s “dirty workers”; and no way to say things wouldn’t be better. Lots of the global firestorms were started by European arsonists. So, in a way, don’t expect any thank you flowers for taking me to the emerency room after sucker punching me and breaking my jaw.
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If figures that you would of deleted my last post because you want the opinion of WHITE people’s view on racism in America…I can assure you that I know tons of people and will disclosed the fact that this site is extremely racist…”Don’t waist your energy on debates that have no solutions because there is no cause to debate”…THINK of what was said and tell me why would any person in their right mind want to come to this site to be abused by extremely racist people…..There were no insults, only defenses, from the attacks of my color and social economic class…However, what would you know about that when you haven’t even researched that possibility….And, as far as being a victim, I don’t believe that for one second..I stand my ground for all that I believe in…
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Solution! I forgot Mom’s whole issue about looking for a solution to racism. Here’s one: white people can stop being racist. Yeah, yeah, yeah, psychology this, brain memory that. First off, the brain mapping that results in everyday, average racism can be remapped. Second, we’re not talking about the ways in which “everyone is racist,” due to the evolutionary impulse to group and prefer your own group. We’re talking about racial profiling, racial discrimination in lending and finance, forced abortions on people who’re at the bottom of both racial and class status. Those kinds of things can be stopped.
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@jwbe – First Gloria, now Mom. Though I gotta hand it to Gloria, she hasn’t come back. I thought she would. I’m right with you on the lack of self-reflection on the part of many white Americans, and I wonder if that’s not a sympton for racism itself. Is there any other racial group that seems to get so “offended” when others reject their opinions for facts? As though to say, “I’m white! How dare you challenge me!”
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Please disregard last comment. Should read:
In what ways is this site racist? In what ways have commenters been racist towards you? All anybody did to you as far as your racial identity was question how you could be “white” AND a true Native American. A simple answer, if true, is that even though you’re [Amerindian nation here], you can pass for and are socially white. I know, for example, that there are some Lumbee who could pass for white. Or, maybe you’re biracial? Short of those two explanations, which you may have given, I don’t know, what other explanation is there?
DDDD Sorry I missed it earlier!
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And I’ll piggy back off jwbe – Why is it that when people, especially white Americans, have their fantasies and myths dashed by facts, they start crying racism? NQuest brought up this issue on another thread, but it fits here, too. A person actually says more about themselves than they do alleged “anti-white” racism when they make claims like this. Ie, Sen Graham. If nothing else, it demonstrates that you don’t know what racism is and don’t care to learn, which just proves our point! This country is steeped in white supremacy.
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Oh. Lastly, Elaine – joining just so you could cancel? Great stuff!
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>Is there any other racial group that seems to get so “offended” when others reject their opinions for facts? As though to say, “I’m white! How dare you challenge me!”
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I don’t know, I think it is a ‘way of life’ most of those in power can conveniently live. I think it is this egoism and also learning that you (whites) mostly get what you want and also no sense (empathy?) for other people’s feelings, regardless race. People f+ck you up, but when they do it with a ’smile’ and being ‘nice’, they expect a thank you and if you dare criticize them, they act like offended children.
This is why I wonder, why there is so little honest exploration about the (white) soul and psyche. It seems that too many whites, also ‘anti-racists’ are not aware of it, I don’t know. It seems to be the big tabu among whites – don’t ask who we are.
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What’s so antagonistic about addressing racial inequality? Nothing!! What bothers me is that there are people that are still extremely racist on both sides, and there is nothing that can be done about it…And, I truly feel bad about it.. However, as I mentioned before, I am only responsible for my behavior, and not other people’s beliefs etc..Moreover, I am going through something right now, regarding, discrimination of national origin, that has to do with the Southern portion of the country….That’s why I moved back North to get away from the discrimination of “Yankees”…True story.. Maybe someday you will read about it in the paper or a book..I feel at a loss. I am discriminated against because of my age to get a job, and then I am discriminated against because of my national origin….However, I don’t pretend to know exactly how African American people feel, but I do try to understand, which I would hope that other people would try to do…Thank You for being kind too me..I enjoy intelligent conversations, and love a good debate…There is only so much that I can write at one time..If someone misconstrues my comments then that means there were words left unsaid, and when words are left unsaid, may cause conflict, or hurt feelings..However, I do not apologize for how I feel, but I would consider a debate on how I think…:)
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I disagree. The problem has been and continues to be racism on the part of white Americans. It’s they who don’t want to work with us, or any other group of color, on an equal basis.
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Sorry for what you’re going through. Take a deep breath. If you’re discriminated against because of your national origin, that racial discrimination. You should probably look for some civil rights group to help you.
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@jwbe – It’s gotta be something like that.
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@mom
>I am discriminated against because of my age to get a job, and then I am discriminated against because of my national origin…
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how do you put this in your “it’s class” claim?
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>I enjoy intelligent conversations
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intelligent conversations need knowledge on both sides, your side is clearly emotional, you want to be the one understood, you want to be the one in the center with her experiences and at the same time denying institutional white racism=denying the reality of other people besides you. You even can’t get your thoughts straight, yes you are responsible for your own behavior, so stop blaming others for it.
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>@jwbe – It’s gotta be something like that.
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yes. And honestly, sometimes I also have the impression that this white talk about white privilege and the fixation on race alone and how we whites as a collective discriminate against PoC reinforces white supremacy.
This exclusion of white to white behavior, as if racism/ws happens in a vacuum – I find this quite scary.
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And to the topic, the swimming pool incident – some or even many whites can get angry about it, they can point their fingers towards ‘those other racist whites’, rally or sign petitions until the next incident which is published in the news. And nobody seems to ask the question ‘why’ and what it does tell about a (white) society as a whole, when they feel so threatend or disgusted? just because of some children with a different skin-color then theirs. The damage also in the white soul not able to feel the pain they inflict, I mean, what would be a normal human reaction when children are disappointed. When people can’t suffer with others, there is much more damaged in the white collective soul, and this can’t be ‘cured’ via education or words or rallies.
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@ these MOM debates…
I feel the need again to point out that MOM is operating from an individualistic, feelings-oriented definition of racism. MOM, in order to understand what is happening to you in this debate, you have to know that most of the other posters here are operating from a more expansive definition of racism that INCLUDES people’s feelings and emotions but focuses heavily on societal practices and inequalities, privilege and disadvantage. I won’t say that your perspective is “wrong” – as you have pointed out, a lifetime of living has molded your point of view – but your understanding of the dynamics of race and racism IS more limited than some other people’s here.
As a white person I’ve only arrived at my understanding of racism from extensive studying (and, by the way, this studying does indeed include considerations of social class, gender, and other factors) and from listening closely to the varied perspectives of people of color as well as white antiracists. Not to toot my horn, but I’m just saying I know from my experience as a white person that it’s practically impossible to be white and to have a deep understanding of racism without actively seeking out information. Do you want some more information? I know a ton of good books on a number of topics… you name it, and I can send you suggestions.
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jwbe said:The damage also in the white soul not able to feel the pain they inflict, I mean, what would be a normal human reaction when children are disappointed. When people can’t suffer with others, there is much more damaged in the white collective soul, and this can’t be ‘cured’ via education or words or rallies.
You even can’t get your thoughts straight, yes you are responsible for your own behavior, so stop blaming others for it.
I don’t understand you..No I am not asking for understanding, never had it ,and I suspect, I never will…And, yes, I am responsible for my own behavior, however, most people like to point the finger at other people for when things go wrong in their lives..I am proud to say that I am responsible!!!!
When you talk about “white” people you are actually classifying all “white” people, and how do you know what’s in a “white” person’s soul,
unless you are one..
Thanks, No1KState it is truly going to be a battle..I just hope some justice comes out of it for everyone that is involved…Take Care.
Thought for the Day!!
In some small way, my pain is your pain, and your pain, is my pain. And, in some small way, my joy is your joy,and your joy is my joy…Woe to the many who do not feel this spiritual connection, which is called collective conscious, or collective intelligence..
Unfortunately, not many people are able to grasp this concept…So, before you classify all “white” people get to know them a little better…
Love, light, peace, and hope…:)
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>When you talk about “white” people you are actually classifying all “white” people,
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yes I do and uh imagine, there is a reason for.
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The one thing I didn’t find up to now is the white code-book where people like you read their stereotypical responses, so predictable that’s really stunning (and then white people live the illusion of “individualism”, lol). Or perhaps it’s a computer program *push the button – print automatic response*
and go search the connection, because whites also share a collective history and collective cultural knowledge, which includes a collective racist knowledge, and also the term collective guilt is in at least that way helpful that in a working oppressive system nobody belonging to the oppressors group is truly innocent. Ask Germans, lol
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edit, please insert a point after “print automatic response”. Should read : automatic response*.
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And go search…
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@Kristen – What about Gloria’s reaction, for example? I would hope it was clear that we were talking about systemic racism and not personal animosity, but she decided to remain in denial.
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Ask Germans, lol What does that mean? Are you talking about “white” supremacists..In fact, I know what a “white” supremacists is there kinda like the Bloods & Cripts.. Because there are “white supremacist” does that mean that all whites believe in what that stand for.. And if that’s the case that would mean that all African American people think like the Bloods & Cripts, which is irrational… ..I think what I wrote bothers you because like I said most people cannot grasp the concept on collective intelligence or collective conscience. Obviously that would include all people from all races being guilty or poor spirituality to some degree….Nobody, that I have met so far is perfect, but some people think that they are (like my ex), which is a soul sickness in itself…As far as a code book, jwbe I don’t follow the social norms, sorry to disappoint you, but it you find one let me know, I would like to see it for myself. I am tired good night….We may disagree on some topics, but guess what, we are all struck here together, so let’s just make the best of what life has to offer..Peace!
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That’s jwbe’s point. This country is steeped in cultural, institutional and systemic racism that privileges all whites. Sure, there are some whites who’re more violent than others towards people of color. And some whites who’re more vocal in their beliefs in white superiority. But any white person who accepts the status quo is complicit of condoning white supremacy. -That’s why those Creek women were forcibly sterilized. Not because they were poor, though that may have been a small part of the cause, but because they’re not white.
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Mom posted: Ask Germans, lol What does that mean?
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JWBE is a white, German female. Yet, you rushed to assumption/stereotype that she was not White… the same way you assumed most/all posters who have engaged you in this thread as well as most/all regular contributors/posters to be “YOUNG college african american students” when its clear to anyone who has took the time to notice vs. function-off-of-stereotypes would know better. But your pre-conceived notion, your stereotype, explains one of your curious, Twilight Zone statements:
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“You know, Nquest, it does work both ways…”
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This is also proof that you most certainly do “follow the social norms.” For it’s as if you do read from the same attitudinal script as other WHITES in your socio-economic class? Whatever it is, there is a whole group/class of Whites who respond to discussions on race/racism in the same incoherent, self-contradictory, quick to call somebody else racist (and quick to play the victim and quick to avoid actually engaging substantive issues) just like you.
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Just like you, there is a whole group of WHITES who can’t be “bothered” with addressing points that counter theirs. And, just like you, there is a whole group of WHITES who like to play little lying games where they pretend to be something they are not because of some real deep sh*t somebody needs to explore because the sickness is almost epidemic.
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JWBE and I have posted on the same boards/blogs in several places on the Internet and your type of kiddie little game gets played and its almost always by someone, like you, who isn’t clever enough to pull it off.
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But here’s your chance to prove me wrong. Your comment about the “tons of people” you know who say this site is “extremely racist” gives the impression (at least from my experience) that this is not the only place online where you post comments. Surely you’ve had the opportunity to share with those “tons of people” your thoughts the same way you’ve shared your thoughts here. So, please drop a link and tell us when and where you’ve shared your thoughts about the kind of class struggle or class solidarity idea… you know, you’re “solution” with “tons of people” who appear to be like-minded — i.e. they obviously share your curious view that this blog is “racist.”
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Do that or just admit that you’re a fake. Your comment — “To be honest, I truly don’t believe that there is any such thing as racist.” — already makes a mockery of your odd “assurance.”
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i want you all to know that i am a “white” male and that i am in no way denying that black americans have been discriminated against in this country, HOWEVER,
first of all, the fact that the black people on this site even separate themselves from other races is the foundation of racism, it is a FACT that the black people on here, especially NQUEST, are indeed racist as hell.
i hear very little talk of unity among races from you guys it all seems to be a bunch of finger pointing and racist propaganda toward ALL races except blacks.
notice i say blacks and not african americans because your not african your american just like the rest of us. this is not a democratic site at ALL, its a trap for you educated but highly RACIST blacks to crucify all races that get on here especially whites. you’re having too much fun bashing “whitey” to give two damns about TRUE racial equality. so heres what i truly feel about you…
instead of complaining about due reparations you should be more active about influencing your own race in a positive way because for godsake they need it.
and by the way, billions of dollars worth of welfare checks and food stamps should be reparation enough.
everyone knows that blacks are THE laziest race in this country, there is absolutely no arguing that so dont even try! LOL!
you should stop writing on this blog and start a new website condemning rap music for a start. it is hands down the worst influence on your race, just LOOK at all these black kids with their pants sagging off their asses and tshirts that hang to their ankles! LOL!!!! rap music glorifies being ghetto, let me repeat that so it sinks in, rap music glorifies being GHETTO! how ignorant can you be? “shoot a mo fo, f dese ho’s, smoke bud and sell drugs in da club!” give me a break people!!!!!
next, start a school that teaches blacks to speak PROPER english. why in the world would you think its “cool” to speak ebonics? the first thing foreigners that want to be successful in america do is learn english, not change it out of pure laziness! blacks have been here for hundreds of years and still cant speak well! what up wit dat?
you blame all your problems on the “white” man. EVERYONE is SO sick of that “the white man holds me down” BS! did white men cause the jails to fill up with blacks? did the white man make them do all these crimes and drugs? no. do police target blacks? cuz i know thats your only rebuttal, and the answer is hell yes they do and why shouldnt they? if you werent doing anything wrong in the first place whats the problem? GEEZ! how simple is that?
next, if its so bad here then why do we have a black president? wait, he is half white so it doesnt count right? you know damn well its not that bad here or you’d all be back in africa by now! stop complaining PLEASE! just teach your race to shut up and work hard like everyone else.
your race is for the most part a burden on our society and until you target changing, all these stupid blogs dont mean a thing. you think youre “black activists” but whats active about sitting on your ass developing carpel-tunnel syndrome? youre not changing a thing or winning anyone over with youre hate, youre making things worse in fact. i havent seen you agree with ANYONE elses views on this whole site!
i know youre gonna say im a racist, but then isnt everyone according to you guys? what differnce does it make, i dont have to prove to you im not racist, i am simply an observer and this is my opinion.
the moral of my story is that i do feel bad for those children that were kicked out of that pool, HOWEVER, if the black race had spent as much time working on their social image and behavior as they do complaining about how bad they have it, it would never have happened.
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you blame all your problems on the “white” man.
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Stop lying.
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two thumbs down to Joseph.
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youre not changing a thing or winning anyone over
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More stupidity = these bs assumptions that there’s some attempt to “win” people/you over…
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what differnce does it make, i dont have to prove to you im not racist
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And there you have it. The very reason why I called your “winning people over” statement bs. Or actually, its the idea that you’re the needy type, someone who wants to feel important, needed… the bs notion that “the black race” has to prove something to you to “win you over”… Well, that’s as stupid as this statement of yours:
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first of all, the fact that the black people on this site even separate themselves from other races is the foundation of racism
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Hmm…. the ABOUT US page lists Joe R. Feagin and Jessie Daniels as the founders of this site complete with links to webpages with their pictures.
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http://www.asanet.org/cs/root/leftnav/governance/past_officers/presidents/joe_r_feagin
http://www.jessiedanielsphd.com/
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While I know it must be exhilarating to get a chance to finally get say all the stuff you’ve been wanting to say to/about Black people if you just had the chance… at least make the bs you sound like you know what the f-ck you’re talking. I mean, why ruin a good rant with a dumb-azz assumption destroys the credibility or compelling or appropriate commentary/opinion you think you have by swinging so wild and missing by that much?
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CORRECTION:
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“at least make the bs you [say] sound like you know that the f-ck you’re talking” @ Joseph
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“this is not a democratic site at ALL, its a trap for you educated but highly RACIST blacks to crucify all races that get on here especially whites.”
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Read: Hi, my name is Joseph, I’m a “white” male and I’m a “crucified” (i.e. hurt, wounded) victim.
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I don’t want to talk to you anymore..As mentioned before, you are mean and nasty person.
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If you look at life in a more spiritual perspective then you would understand the meaning of ” Woe for the many souls who do not feel this spiritual connection, which is called collective conscience, or collective intelligence..Which means, not everybody feels a connection with humanity as a whole, which includes, people of all race…And, there is such thing as collective conscience and collective intelligence…My pain, is your pain, and your pain, is my pain…Every time we as human beings suffer pain it hurts all of us in some small way.. This is true, or we would not be having a discussion about discrimination..My joy, is your joy, and your joy, is my joy..This is true, every time we experience joy people tend to be happier, and more apt to keep an open mind. And, that goes into our collective conscience and or collective intelligence..These are my feelings about this, and my feelings result to the topic of unconditional love….Unconditional love is the kind of love that allows a person to look beyond the material and physical, and love that beautiful spirit, which God has intended for us to do..So, you see, not everybody, feels the same, and I do not write on blogs of other internet sites..And, I do know a lot of people because I am friendly to most everybody I meet..Some people are just not friendly, so I don’t bother with them, (which is called turning the other cheek). I treat people according to how I’m treated, and as mentioned, before, I have friends from all walks of live…Don’t care about social norms, or I would not be talking to you…THINK!!!
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[...] past summer we posted about the swimming pool racism at a suburban Philadelphia location. Now, that swimming pool has filed bankruptcy. It’s [...]
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