Why would someone think the Fresh Air Fund is racist?

Question

That's what a co-worker told me today. It bugs me. The idea is to send kids from tough and disadvantaged neighborhoods in NYC to the country for part of the summer, either to stay with a family or go to camp. The boy I know who went *loved* camp, and so did his mom, because she worried that he would get in trouble at home this summer.

http://www.freshair.org/

They have the Career Awareness Program and tutoring, for when the kids are home.

http://www.freshair.org/careerawareness.asp

Also, it was started in 1877, when the people who lived in those areas tended to be Italian, Irish, and Eastern European--ie, white.

Answer 1

You know when you hear the term inner city it it's always Black or Brown youths. You know what bothers me many ppl always assume that Black or Brown youths are deprived or disadvantaged I don't like the labels. Its gets drilled into them from the day they are born like there is something wrong with them. I know that they are giving opportunities for childen to leave the city but what happens when they come back do they have any city programs someone reading this let me know please.

Answer 2

I don't think it is racist at all.How can it be racist when you are trying to help someone.I can remember when I was a kid(many years ago),there were quite a few people in my church that participated in that program.While most of the kids that came here were african american,there were some that weren't.I don't think that program qualifies children on their race,it is open to all children.Most of our kids came from Philadelphia.I think it is a great program,some of them had never seen a farm animal or knew that on a clear night you could actually see the stars.

Answer 3

it sounds like something very positive to do for the kids....some people will think anything is racist if it is aimed at disadvantaged youth.

Answer 4

i don't know, reading it, it sounds like it benefits both white and minority families in tough and disadvantaged neighborhoods.

some people start out with pre-conceived notions. they do their best to slant new information, in order to make that information support their world view and their forgone conclusion. someone who feels "the world is oppressing us" is likely to find, in anything, more oppression. someone who feels "the world is a huge opportunity" is liekly to find more opportunity.