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The article discusses the persistent issue of drowning among black people in the UK, highlighting that black children and adults are over-represented in drowning statistics. Despite swimming being a statutory skill taught in UK primary schools, many black people still cannot swim, a trend that has existed for decades.
Key points covered in the article include:
### Myth about Buoyancy and Bone Density
– A 2023 study by the University of Portsmouth, RNLI, and the Black Swimming Association (BSA) debunked the myth that black people have denser bones that make it harder for them to float.
– Historical context shows West Africans were skilled swimmers in the 15th century.
– Racial segregation in the US led to exclusion of black people from pools, fostering a stereotype that black people are poor swimmers.
– A 1974 medical article wrongly suggested black people were less buoyant.
– The study found no correlation between bone density and ability to float; most participants floated unaided.
### Cultural and Historical Influences
– Although the UK did not have formal segregation like the US, racial attitudes and historical narratives may have influenced British black communities.
– Alice Dearing, BSA co-founder and former Olympian, points to internalized beliefs that black people cannot swim, influenced partly by historical racism.
– Personal experience of racial slurs in swimming environments highlights ongoing barriers.
### Parental Influence
– Swimming often starts in the family; if parents can swim, children are more likely to learn early.
– Many black families have generations of non-swimmers, meaning children are less familiar and comfortable with water.
– Nathaniel Cole from Swim Dem Crew notes that parents’ fear of water affects children’s attitudes.
– Alice Dearing’s mother swam in Ghana, showing how swimming exposure can vary widely between families.
### The Role of Class and Access
– Economic and social class significantly impact access to swimming.
– Professor Kevin Hylton stresses class and location over ethnicity as factors in swimming ability.
– Children in deprived areas are less likely to swim 25 metres (47%) compared to those in less deprived areas (69%).
– Over 500 UK public pools have closed since 2010, worsening access.
– Some local authorities are “water deprived,” lacking adequate swimming facilities for their populations.
### Summary
The article urges that overcoming these barriers — myths, cultural history, familial influences, and socioeconomic factors — is vital to increase swimming skills among black communities in the UK and reduce drowning risk. It calls for better information, parental engagement, and improved access to swimming facilities to break the cycle.
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Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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