FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2023
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM)
Admin@aadmovement.org
1-800-922-3607
The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement requests your support for 11 year old Aaron Pinkleton, a victim of racism at Athens YMCA Camp
Athens, GA- Over a year ago on July 10, 2022, Maria Pinkelton dropped her 11-year-old son Aaron Pinkleton off at the Athens YMCA for summer camp. During his time at the camp, Aaron Pinkleton experienced more than one incident involving racial discrimination.
One example of discrimination Aaron experienced was being referred to as the “black kid” or “black boy” during his stay at the camp by camp counselors who apparently failed to remember his name during activities and instead only chose to use his race as a means of referring to him.
In addition, Aaron witnessed several Confederate flags painted in buildings around the camp. Those flags have since been removed, but only after a news story aired concerning the flags on July 17, 2023.
Once Aaron returned home, he told his mother he did not feel safe when he was at camp, nor did he feel welcome while he was there. It is clear to our organization that Aaron’s description of his stay was harmful to him and the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement is both saddened and disappointed to hear that Aaron had this experience. It is especially disheartening because many of us are supporters of the local YMCA; despite that fact, we must demand accountability. This young man and his family deserve more than a mere refund.
Furthermore, the Pinkelton family’s attorney did reach out to the YMCA by letter on August 1, 2022, and requested the following to rectify the situation:
– a full refund of camp tuition in the amount of $845;
– that all objects containing the confederate flag image be removed from the premises and destroyed;
– the immediate removal of Athens Tallulah Falls YMCA camp executive leadership, including Camp Director Edward Schaefer; and
– a public apology to every family who has had a child attend this YMCA
Sadly, the only response to this letter was the camp issuing a refund along with a one-sentence letter stating that they were sorry that Aaron “did not have a good time”—this response is simply unacceptable.
Almost a year later, there has still been no acknowledgement of the incident or any communication whatsoever from the Athens YMCA regarding the camp staff who used racially inflammatory terms to describe a child on more than one occasion.
This letter is a demand for the following:
- that the YMCA respond publicly to address the issues immediately, including a public apology to the Pinkelton family and their son;
- that the YMCA perform an investigation into these allegations and respond to the Pinkeltond demands by August 10th.
- that the YMCA take appropriate disciplinary actions against any perpetrator of any racially offensive language or incidents-
- that culturally relevant training be provided to anyone who works at any YMCA camp
Finally, when reviewing the YMCA website, we saw that the YMCA promotes the summer camp that Aaron attended by stating that the experience will “provide opportunities for personal development and spiritual growth with lots of fun – in a safe, protective environment both kids and parents feel good about”. The website specifies that the boys’ camps are their “home away from home”, but that was not true for Aaron Pinkelton. It is the YMCA responsibility to ensure that in the future their staff lives up to the expectations.
The YMCA was made aware of the incident well over a year ago, and the AADM recently contacted them again on July 28, 2023, requesting that they respond to the Pinkelton family’s demand after receiving a request from their family’s attorney. Here’s a link to the company staff website https://athensymca.org/staff.
It is clear that the YMCA has failed to address the bigotry and racism that was a direct result of their staff. The AADM, Mutual Aid Athens, and the Oconee Street United Methodist Church is requesting community leaders’ and organizations’ support. We ask that you contact the YMCA to demand justice for Aaron and the Pinkelton family.
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Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2016 and based in Athens, Georgia. The group aims to combat discrimination through education and activism. For more information visit www.aadmovement.org, their Facebook @AADMovement, or their Twitter and Instagram @aadmovement706