I heard about this on XM Ch. 169 (The Power) with Warren Ballentine this morning and googled to find out more info. Saw a couple blog posts about it including here:
http://globalgrind.com/content/841236/Tyler-Perry-Brings-Christmas-in-July-for-Philly-Kids-That-Were-Kicked-Out-of-the-Pool/ and here:
http://marylandtriallawyer.net/society/tyler-perry-is-a-hero/Then I found that Tyler had posted a letter on his website (here:
http://www.tylerperry.com/_Messages/) which is what prompted the mentions:
I'm So Mad
This made me so angry.
Since Michael Jackson died I have not watched the news. I have just been so disgusted at how the mainstream media has riddled this family with disrespect, and no matter what anyone, you or I included, might have thought of him, the truth of the matter is this - the man was still a human being and his kids and family deserve some privacy and space. And I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way, so I purposely kept the TV off. Anyway, I was walking through the house, and I don't know how this TV was on, but I saw a little boy on the news crying his eyes out. So I turned it up. Here is this kid talking about being kicked out of the Valley Swim Club outside Philadelphia because he was black. Did you hear me? I said, "No way, this can't be! It's 2009. I don't believe this!" But, I know it happens even in this year of Obama.
<snip>
I was told that one of these children, a seven year old, asked her mother if she was "to black to be in a pool." How do you answer that? How do you get a seven year old past that? Again, it broke my heart and I wanted to do something, and I feel like you all would want to do something, too. That's why I'm telling you this. Since you all have put me in the position to be able to do something I feel like by me doing this we are all doing it together. So what I did was on Aug 1st thru 3rd I'm sending these kids to Disney World, and then to a Disney water park. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids. So, thank you for letting me do this. Thank you so much. And do me a favor please. When you see these kids coming through the airport, (I'm sure you won't be able to miss them. I imagine they are going to be super excited) when you see them in the park and in the hotel, let's show them a whole lot of love and respect. Show them that they are just as good as anyone else. And show them that they can do or be anything they want to be no matter what any one says!
Thanks,
Tyler Perry
All I can say is wow and thank you! You just made me :cry: (and you are supposed to be a comedian).
As a native Philadelphian, thank you sir for the sake of these children! :applause: