“God Bless the Child who Has His Own”
By Robert James Taylor
Black Kids, Swimming Pools, Racism and “God Bless the Child who Has His Own”
A few weeks ago a sad story with strong racist implications gripped the nation. A group of Black and Hispanic youngsters from the Creative Steps Day Camp in Philadelphia was invited and later banned from swimming at the private Valley Swim Club in suburban Philadelphia.
Local media initially reported that a club official had said the presence of the 60 or more youngsters “had changed the complexion” of the club. Club officials would later say the ban was not racial but involved safety because many of the kids could not swim so the day camp was given back its swim fees and the kids were barred from returning to the club.
While shouts of racism were being heard around the nation, an outraged actor-producer Tyler Perry stepped forward last week and agreed to pay for 65 children from the day camp to go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Perry’s act of generosity settled the drama for many but not for me.
Admittedly, I tend to view controversial issues a bit differently than most other people. But here is my take on the controversy. Too frequently in this country, African Americans are placed in a position to beg or protest for other people, usually whites, to treat them in a fair and just manner. Such begging and protesting would not be necessary if we owned more products, services and businesses.
Tyler Perry’s act of generosity takes care of the controversy for a small part of this summer. But! What about the rest of the summer? What about next summer? What about other kids? Does it not occur to someone that instead of being outraged and protesting, the best revenge may be to pool (no pun intended) resources and build a swimming pool for our kids?
There is an “extreme integration” mentality among too many African Americans which, in effect, says if whites are not involved “I don’t want to be part of it.” All one has to do is travel this capitalist country as I have and discover that in most Black communities, especially low-income areas, the overwhelming majority of businesses are owned by non-Blacks who do not live in the areas in which their businesses operate.
One day, we as a people will discover the wisdom of the old Billie Holliday song. I paraphrase it here: “Whites may have; Asians may have; Hispanics may have. But God bless Black people the day they realize they must have businesses (including swimming clubs) of their own.” Then the begging for fair treatment will be greatly reduced.
http://www.freewebs.com/blacknewsjournal/
[Robert Taylor welcomes responses to his commentaries. Email him with your thoughts on this and other subjects at TaylorMediaPrime@yahoo.com . Please include your name and city. Also, send for a free emailed edition of his popular Black History Journal by contacting him at the same email address.]
Black Kids, Swimming Pools, Racism and “God Bless the Child who Has His Own”
A few weeks ago a sad story with strong racist implications gripped the nation. A group of Black and Hispanic youngsters from the Creative Steps Day Camp in Philadelphia was invited and later banned from swimming at the private Valley Swim Club in suburban Philadelphia.
Local media initially reported that a club official had said the presence of the 60 or more youngsters “had changed the complexion” of the club. Club officials would later say the ban was not racial but involved safety because many of the kids could not swim so the day camp was given back its swim fees and the kids were barred from returning to the club.
While shouts of racism were being heard around the nation, an outraged actor-producer Tyler Perry stepped forward last week and agreed to pay for 65 children from the day camp to go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Perry’s act of generosity settled the drama for many but not for me.
Admittedly, I tend to view controversial issues a bit differently than most other people. But here is my take on the controversy. Too frequently in this country, African Americans are placed in a position to beg or protest for other people, usually whites, to treat them in a fair and just manner. Such begging and protesting would not be necessary if we owned more products, services and businesses.
Tyler Perry’s act of generosity takes care of the controversy for a small part of this summer. But! What about the rest of the summer? What about next summer? What about other kids? Does it not occur to someone that instead of being outraged and protesting, the best revenge may be to pool (no pun intended) resources and build a swimming pool for our kids?
There is an “extreme integration” mentality among too many African Americans which, in effect, says if whites are not involved “I don’t want to be part of it.” All one has to do is travel this capitalist country as I have and discover that in most Black communities, especially low-income areas, the overwhelming majority of businesses are owned by non-Blacks who do not live in the areas in which their businesses operate.
One day, we as a people will discover the wisdom of the old Billie Holliday song. I paraphrase it here: “Whites may have; Asians may have; Hispanics may have. But God bless Black people the day they realize they must have businesses (including swimming clubs) of their own.” Then the begging for fair treatment will be greatly reduced.
http://www.freewebs.com/blacknewsjournal/
[Robert Taylor welcomes responses to his commentaries. Email him with your thoughts on this and other subjects at TaylorMediaPrime@yahoo.com . Please include your name and city. Also, send for a free emailed edition of his popular Black History Journal by contacting him at the same email address.]
You have made such great points. I really don't quite understand with all the wealth in the black communities powered by professional athletes and the music industries, I cannot for the light of day see why black kids still have to be asking 'whitee' to use his pool. Beats me! We have enough money, connection and resources to have our own everything if we as a black race will only try to live, share and work together. Since when does the white man give us anything?