Posted on 04/07/2012 2:43:19 PM PDT by the scotsman
'A month ago, six African-American teenagers drowned in a single incident in Louisiana, prompting soul-searching about why so many young black Americans can't swim.
When 15-year-old DeKendrix Warner accidentally stepped into deeper water while wading in the Red River in Shreveport, he panicked.
JaTavious Warner, 17, Takeitha Warner, 13, JaMarcus Warner, 14, Litrelle Stewart, 18, Latevin Stewart, 15, and LaDarius Stewart, 17, rushed to help him and each other.
None of them could swim. All six drowned. DeKendrix was rescued by a passer-by.
Maude Warner, mother of three of the victims, and the other adults present also couldn't swim.
The US has almost 3,500 accidental drownings every year, almost 10 a day. But according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fatal drowning rate of African-American children aged five-14 is three times that of white children.
A recent study sponsored by USA Swimming uncovered equally stark statistics. Just under 70% of African-American children surveyed said they had no or low ability to swim. Low ability merely meant they were able to splash around in the shallow end. A further 12% said they could swim but had "taught themselves".
The study found 58% of Hispanic children had no or low swimming ability. For white children, the figure was only 42%.
"It is an epidemic that is almost going unnoticed," says Sue Anderson, director of programmes and services at USA Swimming.
The swimming body would like all children to be taught to swim.
"We would like it to be like seatbelts and bicycle helmets," says Ms Anderson.
But the situation in the US can vary hugely even within a single state.'
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
In the Navy, we had to pass swim quals, I was a pretty good swimmer and tried to teach some black friends. They sank like rocks. They could never do a simple back float and when they did learn to swim,they had to work twice as hard just to keep on top of the water.
I can hear it now... Water is racist!
As did all my American ancestors. My mom hung out at the beach and was a good swimmer. My dad was a city boy and was afraid of the water. One time as a WWII Combat Engineer Commando he was in a boat crossing a river so they could take the beachhead and build a bridge in time for the front to catch up with them when they started taking Kraut machine gun fire. Everyone jumped out of the boat except Dad. He was hailed as a hero. He didn't bother mentioning that he was more terrified of drowning than getting shot.
Most children who are put into water will be swimming in it within an hour. Lessons not required.
Swimming is no more difficult than walking. There is only one catch, don't panic or you die.
When I explained to my children that all they had to do to swim was hold their breath underwater until they could stand up again, they were off like fish. They started in the shallow end and were very soon diving in the deep end.
People are naturally buoyant, if they don't panic, they can swim.
No one - NO ONE! - who lives on a planet that’s 7/10 water should not know how to swim. I don’t care what color you are.
Heck!
When my Dad taught me to swim, I thought I would drown for sure!
But once I got out of the burlap sack I was OK
What really sucked was those kittens that kept scratching me!
“It’s not rocket science, but parents must treat it as a rite of parenthood to teach their children to swim, or to have someone else teach them.”
Exactly right. My parents insisted that I sign up for swim class and learn. I also learned more swimming techniques in high school. The class was taught by a Guadalcanal Marine veteran who impressed on us the importance of knowing how to swim.
My swimming technique ain’t pretty, but I can bob in water like a cork.
Not even with full lungs?
Army too. I believe it’s a requirement for all memebers of the armed forces.
I couldn’t have been more than 10 when I got to ride the ditching simulator at the base pool at MCAS Beaufort.
I made the schools force them to wash out the Sulfa 8 before wrestling.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but I can’t get a headlock with that on your noggin.
Trust me, my ruler of the universe agenda is muuuch longer, but this thread is about swimming, so I only mention the swim instead of gym bullet point.
I was taught to swim in a lake, no cost, by my uncle at age 5. One of my happiest memories.
Yes, our high school had a pool. My teacher told me only fat people can float. Really hated that class. I am lucky I knew how to swim already. We had rivers and falls and lakes; everybody swam.
I have had so many friends who are black just flat out tell me that black people do not swim, period. lol I have been told much of the time it is cuz of their hair. Seems silly, but whatever.
I have not gone swimming in probably almost 25 years, but I bet I could if I needed to. My son learned at a pool when he was about 4.
Could you add a little more rain in Phoenix, please?
Good thing — I expect so much more from the ruler of the universe...
I tried it for a week, then got bored and tossed the job back to God (who looks not like George Burns nor Morgan Freeman).
Would YOU linger in ANY body of water in Africa? Hippos, crocs, poisonous snakes, and any number of other fauna desiring you for breakfast, lunch or dinner would likely keep you from swimming. The Lost Boys of Sudan, many of whom ended up in my city, say that they lost so many of their numbers to water-borne animals.
I had the same experience in Parris Island. I remember the swim instructors attempting to bolster the “dark green” Marines with words of encouragement.
It is kind of surprising how many blacks are still in baseball since kids don’t play as much as we did when we were kids. For that matter its kind of surprising that there are still white guys in baseball.
(10-0 in the top of the 8th, Tigers over the Red Sox)
Sink like a rock even with full lungs, saw it myself.
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