> It is possible that none of the youths knew how to swim and that trying to rescue him would just have gotten some of them unnecessarily killed. But the fact is that a large proportion of black youth never learn to swim.
It’s very likely none of them knew how to swim. Most races you can just toss a kid in and they’ll naturally start dog paddling. Black kids just sink due to buoyancy being different. Because of this very few black kids ever learn how to swim baring extensive lessons. Swimming is also a much more terrifying experience for black kids making them less likely to get lessons even if they’re free or low cost.
Some people are natural ‘sinkers’. I’ve read that because of bone density, etc. blacks tend to be over represented in this group. They have to work harder just to keep their heads above water. If everyone you know is a ‘sinker’ you are likely to be justifiably afraid of the water. That said, there is no justification for not calling for help.
Black kids just sink due to buoyancy being different.
Tell it to the African kids who grow up next to the rivers and lakes. Or to the island people who are black. Man, you need a better source of information.
Build free housing on islands
We had Summer recreation in my hometown, where children were bussed to the community pool for swimming lessons. I never remember a black child who didn’t learn to swim.