…well, besides the fact that #1, he’s a multi-millionaire who came from nothing and built an empire off his own blood, sweat & tears and #2, Madea is funny as hell and always has a powerful & spiritual message with the best damned vocals on American sand… this is yet another reason to love Mr. Tyler Perry.
The Valley Club sign
It happened only a few days after it was made public knowledge that the 65 kids of Creative Steps Camp were “turned away” and their swimming privileges revoked at The Valley Club in Philadelphia. Swim club director John Duesler told two Philadelphia television stations the children had changed “the complexion” and “atmosphere” of the club. Soon after the news invaded mainstream media, Duesler extended an olive branch for the children to return to Valley Club but Creative Steps turned them down. Some black and Hispanic children said that white club members made racist comments to them during that visit, asking why “black children were there” and raising concerns that “they might steal from us.”
Shortly after hearing the news, Media Mogul Tyler Perry announced that he would be sending the Creative Steps campers, each with a guardian, on a trip to Disney World and he would be footing the bill for all transportation, hotel, admissions and food costs at the Florida theme park. (bloggers’ outburst: POW!! “Take that Valley Club!!”) Mr. Perry commented:
“This is awful, and for anyone that has grown up in the inner-city, you know that one small act of kindness can change your life,” he wrote, adding that with the trip to Disney World, “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.”
Less than a month thereafter… that is exactly what he did. So hats off Mr. Perry for being yet another advocate for the happiness of our children. You see, people, contrary to popular belief this is not about earning points from us mortal men, although I’m sure God smiles down at all our efforts to help the kids. But this is all about combating ignorance in our world and with narrow-mindedness running rampant since the election of our President, we should all try a little harder to be inspired by acts such as these. With a little less hate, we can all be great!
