Ok, so I’m late to weigh in on this matter.  I had heard whispers about it after the fact, but I don’t read or listen to much news, so I haven’t paid any attention to this incident.  But when I looked up another national Black swimmer, I found an article that linked the two.

And this is a mess. So a day camp paid to have swimming as part of its camp.  Check.  Happens everyday.  The kids show up to swim on June 29th and people at the swim club are wondering where all the black kids came from. Next thing they know, the swimming contract is canceled.  Their money was returned.

It sounded racist, especially with what the children reported hearing at the club. The club countered with saying it was a crowded pool issue, and they had canceled two other groups as well.  But when they used phrases like, “it changed the complexion and atmosphere of our club,” it’s hard to see it as anything but racism. Now the club is facing a law suit and a federal investigation, citing a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

I want to talk about turning black drowning statistics around. This problem could be solved if all black children learn to swim. From personal experience, I know that takes time.  It could cost money for swim lessons, but it doesn’t have to. If you have access to a pool, you just spend time in it, working on swimming, and you’ll learn.  I’ve been going to my friend’s pool for the past 9 summers, and I’ve watched all of her young neighbors learn to swim that way. Of all the reasons preventing black children from learning to swim, pool access should be the easiest to overcome.  It was a civil right gained many years ago.

That’s why this Philadelphia incident is so heartbreaking.  This summer program was trying to do its part to get the kids in the water and used to the water, and some of those children could have learned to swim this summer.  But because the regular club patrons didn’t want to swim with black children, that’s not going to happen.

I am glad to hear that Tyler Perry has the resources to erase the sting in those children’s minds, but the issue of time spent in the pool, which does add up to learning to swim, has not been addressed. Perry is quoted as saying that a trip to Disney World is better than the pool. Well, it’s apples and oranges.  Yes, it would be an amazing experience for the children.  But it is not the same as the children learning to swim, and being able to save themselves if they find themselves in deep water.

I don’t blame the day camp for rejecting the club’s later invitation to come back.  They shouldn’t have to put up with that garbage. I just hope they find another pool for their children to learn to swim.

Make no mistake, swimming is not the villain here; the Valley Swim Club in Philadelphia is.