The DEEP Waters of Black Swimmers

In 1949, a newly integrated swimming pool at Fairground Park in St. Louis became the epicenter of chaos when a race riot erupted between Black and white swimmers. The gathering swelled to thousands, many armed with bats, bricks, and other weapons. An overwhelming 200 to 400 police officers arrived, ultimately forcing the fairground to close. This unsettling incident is just one example of the violence against Black people simply trying to swim. Today, we'll delve into the dark history of why Black people have historically faced challenges with swimming access.

Before the transatlantic slave trade, swimming was essential for survival and recreation in many African societies. Historical records show swimming was common across various African cultures. In "Enslaved Swimmers and Divers in the Atlantic World," Kevin Dawson reveals that West Africans had exceptional swimming abilities. These skills were exploited in the Americas, where enslaved Africans were used for tasks requiring superior swimming abilities, such as retrieving goods from shipwrecks or fishing. Historian Jeff Wiltse noted that people of African descent in the 19th century were generally more proficient swimmers than their European counterparts.

However, after slavery was abolished during the Reconstruction era and into the 20th century, Jim Crow laws systematically excluded Black people from many public amenities, including swimming facilities. Segregation policies often designated public pools and beaches as white-only, causing a decline in swimming expertise and cultural affinity for swimming among the Black community.

In the early 20th century, the U.S. saw a rise in municipal pool construction, with about 2,000 new pools built. This boom increased the popularity of recreational swimming among Americans. However, the growth was marred by racial exclusion, with African Americans systematically denied access to amenities, hindering the integration of swimming into Black culture.

In northern states, new pools were constructed in poor, immigrant, working-class white neighborhoods, while Black communities were largely ignored. Notably, during the construction booms in the 1930s and New Deal-era initiatives like the Public Works Administration, around 1,000 pools were constructed from 1933 to 1943 but mostly in white neighborhoods, leaving Black communities underserved.

Originally, urban swimming pools were segregated by gender but allowed racial exclusivity. This changed with the construction of larger pools designated for mixed-gender use, which then employed exclusionary practices targeting African Americans. These pools became social hubs for the white community, reinforcing racial stereotypes that kept Black people away.

Public pools necessitated close proximity among users, becoming contentious battlegrounds for prejudices. Many white Americans resorted to violent measures to enforce segregation, viewing swimming pools as unacceptable places for racial integration. Enforcement of racial exclusion was often carried out by police, city officials, or through threats of violence.

In early 20th-century St. Louis, where the population was almost 15% Black, the Fairground Park Pool opened in 1913 as a grand recreational facility. Yet, it was designated for white swimmers only. As swimming's popularity increased, discriminatory practices became more pronounced.

The competitive era of swimming in the 1950s and 1960s saw desegregation attempts, but often resulted in "white flight," where swimmers left public pools for private clubs, further restricting swimming opportunities for Black communities. Cities like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis witnessed confrontations between white mobs and Black individuals attempting to enter public pools.

In St. Augustine in 1964, Black protesters led by Martin Luther King Jr. jumped into an all-white motel pool, prompting the manager to pour hydrochloric acid into the water. The photographed event became iconic during the Civil Rights Movement and sparked a global backlash. In response, many local governments chose to close public pools rather than integrate. Some transferred pools to private entities, legally enforcing racial exclusion under the guise of privatization.

Additionally, many municipalities began constructing pools in predominantly Black areas but made them small and shallow, unsuitable for swimming lessons. This historical neglect perpetuated the view of swimming as a white sport tied to wealth and class and discouraged participation among Black families.

The legacy of exclusion persists, making access to swimming facilities difficult for marginalized communities. Private swim clubs and pools that require membership fees have kept resources largely out of reach for Black families. Financial barriers and economic challenges limit equitable access to swimming facilities. As municipal pools declined, access for Black communities decreased, leading to tragic consequences.

In 2010, for example, six teenagers drowned in Shreveport, Louisiana. A USA Swimming study revealed that only 31% of Black children and teenagers were skilled swimmers compared to 58% of their white counterparts. The study highlighted limited access to swimming facilities as a significant reason behind this disparity. Consequently, accidental drownings claim about 3,500 lives yearly in the U.S., averaging 10 daily deaths. The CDC found Black children between 5 and 19 are five times more likely to drown in swimming pools than white children.

The responsibility of teaching swimming in the U.S. typically falls on parents, unlike the UK, where it's part of the national curriculum. While some parents prioritize swimming lessons, the absence of a nationwide requirement means swimming education isn't uniformly emphasized. Fears of drowning perpetuate parental reluctance to teach their children, continuing a cycle where non-swimming parents pass their fears and inability to swim to their children. Hair concerns, particularly for Black women, also play a role in swimming reluctance.

Efforts to improve swimming education and dismantle misconceptions are ongoing, with new programs promoting water safety and swimming lessons as fundamental life skills. Addressing disparities in swimming proficiency requires targeted interventions to ensure equitable access, especially in marginalized communities. Organizations like USA Swimming and the YMCA have been addressing these disparities through initiatives focused on bridging the education gap.

USA Swimming has the "Make a Splash" campaign, emphasizing swimming education's importance, likening it to safety measures like seat belts and bike helmets. Despite progress, overcoming challenges remains difficult due to insufficient education and inherent fear of water in some Black communities. By focusing on these initiatives, future generations can be equipped with lifesaving skills, opening opportunities historically denied to Black communities.