Simone Manuel (women’s) and Shaine Casas (men’s) are two Black swimmers on the U.S. Olympic swimming team in Paris. Anthony Nesty is the first Black U.S. head swimming coach.
Jamal Hill and Lawrence Sapp are the only Black swimmers on the U.S. Paralympic team, which is also slated to compete in Paris in August.
In honor of these swimmers of color, Black Public Media (BPM) is re-airing the “Black Folk Don’t… Swim” short, which examines the myth that Black people don’t swim. The short is part of the “Black Folk Don’t” series produced and directed by Angela Tucker for BPM’s AfroPop Digital Shorts series, which is now streaming for free on Black Public Media’s YouTube Channel.
Tucker’s irreverent series comically examines some of the biggest myths and stereotypes about Black people.
“Yes, there is a stereotype that Black people don’t swim, but there are also historical reasons why fewer Black people swim,” such as limited or no access to swimming pools, noted Tucker last week in an MSR phone interview. I think it’s important for people to remember the history of Black Americans [in swimming],” she added.
She spoke to people on the street, including journalists Melissa Harris-Perry and Touré, who discussed the truths and myths behind why Blacks don’t swim.
“I tried to get a variety of people that you wouldn’t necessarily think would have a lot to say about the subject matter,” continued Tucker. Using humor “is something that really disarms people, so once people laugh or get in a state where they feel like it’s OK and safe to laugh,” she noted.
“Then I think they actually take the message in a deeper way,” explained the filmmaker. “That’s been my experience with it.”
Tucker is an Emmy and Webby-winning filmmaker and artist. Her latest work, “The Inquisitor,” about political icon Barbara Jordan, will be broadcast on PBS.
BPM also referenced the following facts on swimming:
- A recent CDC study says drowning is the top cause of death for children ages 1-4.
- Black youth drown at a rate 5.5 times that of Whites ages 5-19.
- A USA Swimming Foundation/University of Memphis study showed that 64% of Black children in the U.S. cannot swim.
- A 2024 CDC study shows that 37% of Black adults don’t know how to swim.
BPM Director of Programs Denise A. Greene told the MSR that her mother wanted her and her brother to learn how to swim, and Greene has taught her daughters how to swim. Greene said that only after becoming an adult did she learn that her mother didn’t know how to swim.
“She was actually maybe a little fearful,” remembered Greene. “I can tell it wasn’t easy for her, but she just made it a point” that her children would not be afraid of the water, she said.
An Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer/director, Greene oversees the development and distribution of BPM-funded programs that premiere on public television. She is also the producer and director of BPM’s AfroPop, AfroPop Digital Shorts, and BeHeard series.
“I’m a proud swimmer,” added Greene, who described swimming as “a great exercise. It’s great cardiovascular. It’s great for all types of muscle toning all over the body… a really calming type of exercise.”
Both Tucker and Greene strongly encourage more Blacks to learn how to swim and dispel the myths and stereotypes that have served as barriers to the sport.
“These stereotypes kind of linger,” lamented Tucker.