It shouldn’t take the NAACP to intervene, but when it did, the YMCA sponsors of a swim meet backed down.
Leidy Gellona, 12, of Superior, Wisconsin, was told she couldn’t compete in her “Black Lives Matter” swimsuit by a “volunteer official” who claimed it “went against USA Swimming’s policy of no political language.”
“Black lives matter” isn’t political language. It’s a simple fact. What’s there to debate about it?
In any case, Leidy’s mom contacted the local NAACP, who contacted the Duluth YMCA, who have issued a statement saying, “The Duluth YMCA is saddened that the student, their family, and teammates had to endure this unacceptable behavior. The Duluth YMCA will continue our ongoing commitment to train all staff and volunteers on diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
The story (read it here) doesn’t say whether NAACP threatened to sue. The YMCA’s statement doesn’t indicate whether the official will get the group training or be sent to individualized Special High Intensity Training.