Affirmative Action Gone Wild? - AZ To Hire Minority Lifeguards Who 'Can't Swim' - Wake Up America

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

This case is a perfect example of why we have a national language. We spend a lot of time and money on issues like this that shouldn't be issues at all. English is our national language, plain and simple.There aren't many things that bug me in regards to people appreciating their heritage and wanting to hold onto it, but in the US we speak English. My ancestors immigrated here from Italy, they spoke very little English when they came here, but they learned it real quick to accomodate to the US system. They still spoke Italian at home, but in public, they spoke English. What makes this case worse in my mind, is that it is in a school, the very place these kids should be learning English. What does this program say of the level of education this school is providing if they can't even teach their kids to speak and understand English?

There is plenty of evidence that this "swimming test" these new applicants will have to pass is of a lesser standard in the quoted NPR story. If it was the regular Lifeguard test that all the other applicants had to pass, it would say so.

Actually, English is not our national language. it never says that anywhere.

Now, I do believe people should speak English because that is the de facto language here. But it is an asset to be able to speak other languages to communicate with people who are new to the US and in a panic when their friend is drowning, shout something in their native language. But English is not an official language of this country (we have no official language).

And they are not lowering the standards to be a lifeguard. They are training kids to be swim and to be lifeguards, kids who otherwise wouldn't be able to get that training. After the training, if they pass the normal lifeguard test, then they might be hired to work in that capacity. That's what this is.

It's a community-led effort to get some local kids training and potential jobs if they pass training instead of outsourcing to other neighborhoods.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[decocker 7,198]

Anyone can teach swim lessons. Were these lessons taught with a lifeguard on duty? if not, then they were probably not following proper safety regulations.

There was a YMCA here in Mass a few years back that got caught giving swimming lessons without a lifeguard on duty and they were heavily fined.

yes, there were lifeguards 'on duty'. if by, 'on duty' you mean high.

naw, i'm just saying, our pool was pretty damn dangerous for kiddies no matter how many lifeguards were on duty.

[Danno 1,228]

####### are you talking about?

i live in boyce virginia, about ten minutes away from the town my parents moved me to, when i was eight. i'm still here because this is where my job is. i've worked this job for over ten years. why would i move?

Why would you move? To live up to what you preach- "all people are expected to celebrate the inclusion of as many races/nationalities as possible." Boyce, Virginia

The racial makeup of the town was 86.38% White, 11.74% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, and 0.47% from two or more races.

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Your area is nearly as homogenous as the country has ever been.

Bet you like it there too ehh?

Want my numbers?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Why would you move? To live up to what you preach- "all people are expected to celebrate the inclusion of as many races/nationalities as possible." Boyce, Virginia

The racial makeup of the town was 86.38% White, 11.74% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, and 0.47% from two or more races.

---------------------------------------------------

Your area is nearly as homogenous as the country has ever been.

Bet you like it there too ehh?

Want my numbers?

Actually, Val had said her family welcomes diversity. Not to mention she has dated men from different races. Can you make that claim?

[Teddy B 17,252]

Pools don't just have life and death situations, either. Minor injuries can happen running, swimming, on the slide, etc. It would be best for everyone if both languages were represented properly so that those situations can be dealt with. You wouldn't want a kid who is comfortable speaking Spanish more than English, in a panic because he's injured, and not being able to properly communicate what's wrong.

Where?

As for the English thing, I'm sure these kids do speak English. They most likely speak it as a second language. The English lifeguards aren't going anywhere. They're just wanting to hire people who speak Spanish as well. And as for the money, this is entirely COMMUNITY funded.

What I would want is for that kid to be comfortable speaking English, which is what should be happening. This school is failing miserably if their kids cannot speak and understand English. English is this countries first language, not Spanish or anything else. It doesn't matter to me who's paying for it, because the program being put in place is sub standard and putting lives in danger, that makes it a public problem. And I would also imagine that if someone drowns because one of these new lifegaurds didn't respond properly, lawsuits would pile up, and those won't be paid with community money, it will be the taxpayers paying for that.

There are many references in that NPR article that point to lowering the standards. 'We're not looking for strong swimmers" "We'll work with your abilities" and "they will have to pass a test". If it was the same test that was previously in place, it would say so, but it's not.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Teddy B

[Darnell 8,479]

Imagine if someone suggested - White kids need a white teacher, couch or life guard, you know, ....someone they can relate to.

How would that go over?

Diversity only means one thing... Less white people, in any given situation.

And I am supposed to celebrate it.

Would Hispanics Black or Asians fall for that if it were asked of them?

I think yer approach is wrong.

Instead - you should celebrate ethnic diversity.

Not cultural diversity, or educational diversity, or demographic diversity.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

What I would want is for that kid to be comfortable speaking English, which is what should be happening. This school is failing miserably if their kids cannot speak and understand English. English is this countries first language, not Spanish or anything else. It doesn't matter to me who's paying for it, because the program being put in place is sub standard and putting lives in danger, that makes it a public problem. And I would also imagine that if someone drowns because one of these new lifegaurds didn't respond properly, lawsuits would pile up.

There are many references in that NPR article that point to lowering the standards. 'We're not looking for strong swimmers" "We'll work with your abilities" and "they will have to pass a test". If it was the same test that was previously in place, it would say so, but it's not.

You have to pass a test to become a lifeguard. The way I read it is, if you're not a strong swimmer, we will give you the training to become a better swimmer. No where does it say the test will be easier for them.

[decocker 7,198]

Why would you move? To live up to what you preach- "all people are expected to celebrate the inclusion of as many races/nationalities as possible." Boyce, Virginia

The racial makeup of the town was 86.38% White, 11.74% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, and 0.47% from two or more races.

---------------------------------------------------

Your area is nearly as homogenous as the country has ever been.

Bet you like it there too ehh?

Want my numbers?

how would moving help me live up to what i preach? who picks where they live based on the racial makeup of the town, i mean, besides racists?

i do like living here. your numbers on what? do you honestly think that the racial makeup of the city you live in has anything to do with stereotypical and/or racist attititudes?

there are minorities in boyce, the imperative question would be how they are included and represented in our neighborhoods, schools, and jobs?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

There are many references in that NPR article that point to lowering the standards. 'We're not looking for strong swimmers" "We'll work with your abilities" and "they will have to pass a test". If it was the same test that was previously in place, it would say so, but it's not.

They mean "not strong swimmers now." At the end of their training they have to pass the same test. Through the course of that training they will become strong swimmers. It never says it is a different test.

[Teddy B 17,252]

You have to pass a test to become a lifeguard. The way I read it is, if you're not a strong swimmer, we will give you the training to become a better swimmer. No where does it say the test will be easier for them.

They mean "not strong swimmers now." At the end of their training they have to pass the same test. Through the course of that training they will become strong swimmers. It never says it is a different test.

I disagree with you both. If it were to be the same Lifeguard test that had previously been in place, it would say so.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I disagree with you both. If it were to be the same Lifeguard test that had previously been in place, it would say so.

It doesn't say it is different, either, mate.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I disagree with you both. If it were to be the same Lifeguard test that had previously been in place, it would say so.

Teddy, I used to be a lifeguard. There are a quite a few tests you have to pass in order to become one. They're not saying swim down and back, now you're a lifeguard.

[B_J 2,752]

Why would you move? To live up to what you preach- "all people are expected to celebrate the inclusion of as many races/nationalities as possible." Boyce, Virginia

The racial makeup of the town was 86.38% White, 11.74% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, and 0.47% from two or more races.

---------------------------------------------------

Your area is nearly as homogenous as the country has ever been.

Bet you like it there too ehh?

Want my numbers?

Here's my numbers:

According to the 2010 Census, 1,327,407 people resided in the city proper of San Antonio, an increase of 16.0% since 2000.

The racial composition of the city based on the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau is as follows:^[33]

• 72.6% White (Non-Hispanic Whites: 26.6%)
• 6.9% Black
• 0.9% Native American
• 2.4% Asian
• 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 3.4% Two or more races
• 13.7% Other races

In addition, 63.2% of the city's population was of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race.

I think living here is what has moved me more towards an "English only" stance; but again, I feel there can be exceptions. Private business and emergency situations come to mind.

Out of curiosity, what are your numbers?

[Danno 1,228]

I think yer approach is wrong.

Instead - you should celebrate ethnic diversity.

Not cultural diversity, or educational diversity, or demographic diversity.

Why celebrate it at all?

SOme times Diversity comes in handy, it has value.... but most of the time it is meaningless or an obstacle.

I like to travel to other countries /cultures , to visit, and they seem to like my visit as well, I rather doubt many other countries would want

me and millions of other Americans to come and stay.

Could I convince Mexico or Cambodia that changing their culture and language was a "good thing" or that they should "welcome" this change?

That they are obligated to educate millions of white english speaking kids in English?

And they should change road signs and be sensitive to my cultural norms?

that American Holidays should be celebrated too?

It's one thing to be open to learn from and be exposed to different people of the world, it is another thing to have them change your country in dramatic ways.

Sorry I can't get excited about that.... and they wouldn't either.

I have been to many countries and enjoy them, but when I come home I expect to enjoy my own country and culture... or whats left of it.

And yes we once did have a culture, it was so ubiquitous it was known as "The American way"..... whens the last time you heard that phrase?

[decocker 7,198]

okay, now this is about immigration? lol.