Simone Manuel is a 20 year old woman from Houston, TX. She just made history by being the first black woman to win a swimming medal in an individual event. She won the 100 freestyle with a time of 52.70. Congratulations Simone!!!
Tonight Simone Manuel introduced swimming to a brand new demographic...minority children
I am a former swimmer/water polo player. I still swim for an adult team called Masters. I love swimming. It’s in my blood and I’m good at it. I also happen to be a black woman. It’s unusual to see black women in swimming and very few understand why this is the case.
1. Access to a pool.
Swimming takes up a crapload of time. If you are any good, you need to go to practice twice a day for around two hours.
You need access to a pool. Outside of warm climates, pool time is expensive. The water either needs to be heated or the pool needs to be indoors. Fees to heat the pool are passed on to members. A lot of swim teams are associated with a country club so access to the team is limited for those without the funds. Swimming is not necessarily expensive but access to the pool is.
2. You need to know how to swim.
Think back to how you learned how to swim. Probably a parent involved. Now days mommy and me swim lessons are practically mandatory. You probably learned young and with guidance. Those growing up in urban neighborhoods do not have access to pools nor do they have access to the swim lessons desperately needed. It’s hard to teach adults how to swim. Swimming, like riding a bike is something to learn when you are younger.
3. Cultural issues:
Black women and their hair. I use to lifeguard at a “urban” pool when I was in HS. It was one of the few in the neighborhood and it was packed. The deep end was wall to wall boys. The shallow end was packed with girls trying not to get their hair wet.
Campaign ActionIf you understand anything about black hair, you would understand that water and black hairstyles are big no no. Hair prep happens on a Sunday and that hairstyle better last you all week. Swimming wrecks havoc on your hair. I look back at my HS pictures and laugh at my messy curls. I was “lucky” enough to have hair that required very little styling after I hopped out of the pool. Most black women do not have that luxury. Who has time to press their hair after a hour long morning swim.
I do think that Simone Manual will break down barriers for minority children. To put this in prospective.
A recent study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and conducted by the University of Memphis found that nearly 70% of African American children and nearly 60% of Hispanic children have low or no swim ability, compared to 40% of Caucasians, putting them at risk for drowning.
I have been encouraged by the number of Twitter messages of minority adults saying that maybe they will finally learn how to swim.
This is what a diverse America looks and feels like. Again congrats Simone on your amazing swim. You kicked ass that last 15 meters.