"Whites-only" pool in 2009? FUCK THAT.

I received this email (see below) from the Color of Change.org website. Please take action and contact the Justice Dept. so that legal action can be taken against the swim club. This is a blatant violation of civil rights. Watch the original news story here.
TEXT OF EMAIL:
Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, 65 children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club that their camp had a contract to use. Apparently, the people at the club didn't know that the group of kids was predominantly Black.

When the campers entered the pool, White parents allegedly took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club's staff asked the campers to leave. The next day, the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that their payment would be refunded. When asked why, the club's manager said that a lot of kids "would change the complexion ... and the atmosphere of the club."1

A "Whites only" pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. The club's actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act.2 Whether or not any laws were violated, a "Whites only" pool should be something every American condemns.

Please join us in doing exactly that, and please email your friends and family and invite them to do the same. Your signature will also be used to call on the Department of Justice to evaluate suing the facility under federal law. It takes just a moment to do both, here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=1927-513854

Obama is President but that doesn't mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface.

We all know stories like this one -- similar incidents play out quietly every day in different communities across the country. The difference in this case is that folks got caught and there was a contract in place that makes for a potentially illegal act.

Standing up now isn't just about making things right for these kids in Philadelphia or bringing consequences to this swim club (called the Valley Swim Club). It's about creating a climate of accountability everywhere. If we can publicly shame the Valley Swim Club and hold them accountable for this incident, it will make others think twice before engaging in what appears to be blatant discrimination.

Please join us in condemning the Valley Swim Club's behavior and calling on the Justice Department to investigate whether they violated civil rights laws. And please ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/?id=1927-513854

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 10th, 2009

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU -- your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don't share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

https://secure.colorofchange.org/contribute/?id=1927-513854

References:

1. "'Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion,'" NBC Philadelphia, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/90Zyr

2. "Section 1981 Summary," Employment Law Information Network
http://www.elinfonet.com/1981sum.php

More Resources:

"60 Black Kids Booted from Philly Pool For Being Black -- Speak Out," Jill Tubman at Jack and Jill Politics, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/GkJTs

VIDEO: "Please Don't Change the Complexion of our Pool," This Week in Blackness, 07-08-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saTCMJVYljU

"Swim Club Accused of Discrimination," FOX 29 Philadelphia, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/7EKGy

"Valley Swim Club: Day Two," Adam B at Daily Kos, 07-08-09
http://bit.ly/qbpSA

100 soldiers versus a few unarmed villagers

I received this email today:

Israeli Occupation Force Invades Bilin Village and Kidnap Two Youth

Sunday 5\7\2009

At approximately 4:15 on the morning of 5.7.09 more than 100 Israeli Soldiers invaded Belin Village. Many of them were masked and all carried automatic weapons. They attacked several houses and arrested Oda Rebhe Abu Rahma, 20, and Mahmoud Issa Yassein, 17. Upon request the soldiers would not tell their families where they were taking them or the name of an officer in command. Palestinian and international presence questioned the soldiers and dearrested several people who were documenting the kidnappings. This is the third week of night raids in Bilin village. Israeli soldier have conducted night raids almost every night and have arrested seven village youth during this period.

For more information, Please call

Abdullah Abu Rahamah, the coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Bilin.

0547258210 or 0599107069

e-mail – lumalayan@yahoo.com

pordiosero

En todos los idiomas hay numerosas maneras de llamar a los que piden limosna. En español son mendigos, limosneros o pordioseros.

Examinamos aquí la palabra pordiosero, con la que se designa a aquellos que piden 'por Dios'. Si a la expresión por Dios le añadimos el sufijo -ero, tenemos formado el vocablo pordiosero, 'aquel que pide limosna en nombre de Dios'.

Saturday Night Pillager

"True men myght lyue, without vexacyon Pollers, promoters, had no domynacyon." (H. Bradshaw, 1513)

Brit. /pl/, U.S. /polr/ Forms: 15 (18 Eng. regional (north.)) powler, 15-16 (18 Eng. regional (north.)) poler, 15- poller. [< POLL v. + -ER suffix1.]

1. A plunderer, a pillager; a robber. Cf. PILLER n. 1a. Obs.

Also, someone who votes, apparently! Obs. form of POLLSTER as well.

A VOTING PILLAGER:


photo from NNDB

haha!

Phrygian truth stands alone

That's... a good one:

"La verdad triunfa por sí misma, la mentira necesita siempre complicidad." (Epicteto de Frigia)

"Truth triumphs by itself; lies always require complicity." (Phrygian saying)

Kaka de Luxe es bien caro comprar en eBay

Why does this cost forty euros? I want it "real bad!", to use a Napoleon Dynamite-ism. I'd even buy it if it cost forty DOLLARS, but 40 euros is a lot of goddamn money for a 7-track album. Sigh.

iggy pop + peanut butter = cincinnati