Swimming is an activity that has become a luxury for some, but in reality, it’s a basic life skill. Unfortunately, the history of swimming pool access has robbed many of us of the opportunity to learn how to swim.
Before the 1964 Civil Rights Act, segregation ran rampant in public swimming pools. After segregation was outlawed, racial discrimination still found a way to limit our access to swimming.
By the 70s, cities across the country intentionally drained public pools to skirt integration mandates. Many pools at private facilities charged fees or membership that owners knew many Black families couldn't afford. These small actions have had dangerous ripple effects, especially for Black children today.
Research shows that Black children from ages five to 19 are 5.5 times more likely to drown than white children in the same age range. This disparity continues as city budgets grow smaller and as resources for public spaces continue to shrink.
History does more than repeat itself. Sometimes it can speak loudly into the future. How can we create our own spaces that make it possible to increase access to safe swimming resources? Where are the pools in your community?