Comments on: Communicating Badly

By: Sue T.

Sue T. — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:51:12 +0000

Well, their reputation may be damaged but I think that those who went there before, who never gave it though have to contend with themselves now. Recognize out loud where they belong and if that’s okay with them. For some, they’re okay with that. So, nothing is going to change.

For others, it may not have occurred to them at all and they’ll quickly bury it because it’s not “them” doing it, it’s the club. But as a member of the club they’re promoting it by staying. They get off pretty easily by saying how the club does it, thereby alleviating their part. Because they stay the condone it.

And after all Management made it so, not them.

So… really this will blow over because people aren’t going to continue, at least I don’t think they will, to talk about it and it will wear off…

By: Mitch

Mitch — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:16:34 +0000

Nicely stated, Sue. They really did mess up, and their reputation is damaged, even if it’s not on the front pages anymore.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:15:58 +0000

It reminds you a little bit of the movie Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, doesn’t it? It’s possible that he was put out there to “hang”, so to speak, and then messed up, but we all know, or at least feel, what the real truth is, right?

By: Beverly Mahone

Beverly Mahone — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:41:46 +0000

Let me clarify that—”some whites”…

By: Beverly Mahone

Beverly Mahone — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:40:46 +0000

The fact I found shocking in this incident is the fact that the club owner was reportedly one of President Obama’s staunchest supporters during his campaign. This just proves my feeling that things haven’t really changed all that much and whites still see us as good and bad–or should I say “house” and “field” negroes.

By: Sue T.

Sue T. — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:24:04 +0000

You’re wrong. They were being racist. I’m not buying into the whole thing because there are many clubs in the world, exclusive clubs where certain people are not considered to be the right type to be there. They screwed up… they made the mistake and they need to recognize that whether there was a “miscommunication” which I highly doubt… or not, they acted badly. There was no miscommunication when they kicked those kids out and the kids heard those disparaging remarks either. Little food for thought on this Sunday morning.

This club is one of those places. That’s not acceptable behavior.

Sue T.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:40:08 +0000

Hi Zegarki. No, people don’t want to look racist, but it’s amazing how quickly things can happen when people err like they did. I think it was just ineptness; I hope I’m right.

By: Zegarki

Zegarki — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:58:12 +0000

Yeah, I don’t think they were racist. Somebody just made an inappropriate comment. I don’t think any company wants to look racist these days – it’s just terrible publicity.
.-= Zegarki´s last blog ..Nowe artykuły =-.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:19:57 +0000

Hi Sharon, and thanks for commenting. I’m with you on all of this. There was just a general failure across the board. Supposedly there was another group that was also turned away, before this group, and had their money refunded. Makes me wonder just who was in charge at this swim club.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:04:36 +0000

Thanks for following up on this. I am very interested in this episode at the Philadelphia area pool. I think what happened to the representative was that he knew he was in trouble and that created stress for him. Stress interferes with the ability of humans to think. So his choice of the word “complexion” was the reality in his brain popping out of his mouth. What I question is the judgement of those who made the decision to invite area day camps. While I personally think the whole incident was racist, I wonder if the members would have reacted the same way based on classism if the same number of white children from a program for the economically disadvantaged had arrived. I am not saying what transpired wasn’t racist.