History of Swimming and Race
When I tell you I have signed up for no less than four swim classes, one of which was actually called “Swimming for the Adult Water shy”, you might presume I’m terrified of the water. I actually love being in or near the water, from jet skiing, kayaking, to a good ‘ole beach day.
Towards the end of summer last year, I went Stand Up Paddleboarding and felt much less comfortable than in the past, even with my lifevest on. Whether it was the open beach area I was paddling in or the boat traffic, I realized I was scared of not being able to get myself to safety. I love the water, but am terrified of falling in without this life skill. I was born on an island- but am a Black woman in America.
In thinking of my own desire, willingness, or access to learning how to swim, I questioned the stereotype of black people not swimming. Like most stereotypes, combating their harm often lies in understanding history.
In America, public pool usage gained popularity in the 1920s and again in the 1950’s. Both times saw massive changes. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, pool programming began allowing men and women to share public spaces. As pools were beginning to integrate by gender, myths about disease and sexualization impacted black peoples access to public swimming pools.
Segregation
The impact of segregation within pools, bowling alleys and roller skating rinks, was felt by activists and children alike. In his 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Martin Luther King Jr. describes his daughters sadness in not being able to go to Funtown amusement park, a white only space.
In her book, Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters, author Victoria W. Wolcott describes the desegregation of these spaces in a second wave of change, the 50’s and 60’s.
Black people found themselves having to combat physical violence in pools or be denied access through geography, fees and other means. Much like their Civil RIghts counterparts, protests in the form of “wade ins” were held to acknowledge the unjust treatment.
Community impact
In Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America, Jeff Wiltse describes how white Americans fled public pools in the midst of desegregation, building private pools or joining exclusive clubs. Some public pools were filled in and others slowly fell into disrepair. Swimming, both for pleasure and competition, grew within white communities, while largely declining within black spaces.
Today’s current impact of being unable to swim? Various factors play a role, (age, type of body of water, etc.) but according to a 2014 CDC report “... the drowning rates for black children were significantly higher than those for whites and Hispanics at every age from 5 years through 18 years.”
America’s struggle with race found roots in an activity that is both pleasurable and life saving. Many are working to change the idea that swimming is not a black thing.
. Outdoor Afro created a swimming program in an effort to “... reclaim our legacy of positive, inspiring experiences in the water”. And Olympians and Paralympians are creating several programs aimed at increasing diversity in aquatics. The USA YMCA partnered with the CDC to analyze barriers for black swimmers and utilizes the research to inform its swim policy and lessons. A blog I found helpful, My Swim Village was founded by Dr. Asherah Allen with the desire to “eliminate the disparities among the Black Community in aquatics.”
Meanwhile…
I’ll take my near 40 year old self to swim class...again. Life skill or pleasure, I’m ready to learn. And I will keep you posted on this round of swim classes and how black women keep their crowns healthy while swimming… while preparing to see the reimagined "The Little Mermaid ( Halle Bailey version because representation matters!!) summer 2022. Stay tuned!
