A history behind black people not swimming

[Kritic]

The Slip N Fly will be open to the public...

Spoiler

...ONE WEEKEND ONLY on August 23 & 24th! ONLY 1000 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD, GET YOURS NOW!

 

[Kritic]

I took swimming and ice skating lessons as a kid.

really? i thought i was soft with swimming.

 

[mbewane]

So...it's really true a lot of AAs don't swim? I thought it was a running joke or stereotype...now I can understand people living in areas where access to swimming pools is difficult, but don't you go to teh swimming pool with your school?

 

[wheywhey]

So...it's really true a lot of AAs don't swim? I thought it was a running joke or stereotype...now I can understand people living in areas where access to swimming pools is difficult, but don't you go to teh swimming pool with your school?

I see you are in France. No. We don't go to the pool with our schools. Even if we did, no one would teach the kids how to swim.

updated 2:37 p.m. EDT, Tue July 21, 2009

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Tyler Perry, the star, writer and producer of films such as "Madea Goes to Jail" and the television show "House of Payne," could be adding philanthropist to his growing list of credits.

According to his publicist, Perry is sponsoring a Disney World trip for 65 Pennsylvania children at a largely minority day-care center after a swim club canceled pool privileges for the children.

"He wanted to do something nice for them and let them know that for every negative experience, there are people out there who want them to succeed regardless of the color of their skin," said Keleigh Thomas, Perry's publicist. She added the entertainer would be footing the bill for all transportation, hotel, admissions and food costs at the Florida theme park.

When Perry heard about the situation with the children in the highly publicized aftermath of the pool cancellation, he immediately wanted to help them, Thomas told CNN, adding that a trip to Disney World is definitely "better than the pool."

"I am ecstatic for the children," Alethea Wright, director of the Creative Steps day-care center, told CNN. Perry's team extended the offer to her on Friday, she said. The Disney World stay will be from August 1 to 3, according to Perry's Web site.

The pool controversy started after the Valley Swim Club in suburban Philadelphia revoked the swimming privileges for children from the Creative Steps center after one visit on June 29. Some black and Hispanic children said white club members made racist comments to them during that visit, asking why "black children were there" and raising concerns that "they might steal from us."

The day-care center had originally contracted to use the pool during the summer, but the club canceled the agreement and returned the day-care center's $1,950 check without explanation.

The club canceled contracts with two other day-care centers because of safety and crowding, swim club director John Duesler said. Those facilities have not protested the club's actions.

The issue was exacerbated when Duesler told two Philadelphia television stations the children had changed "the complexion" and "atmosphere" of the club. The comment brought protesters outside the facility.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/07/20/tyler.perry.pool.children/

 

[The 2020 New Member]

And all this time I thought it was bone density

 

[mbewane]

I see you are in France. No. We don't go to the pool with our schools. Even if we did, no one would teach the kids how to swim.

 

[OTC]

I grew up in the West Indies, learned at a very young age

I have a couple of AA friends that cant swim, and wont even attempt to learn. Instead when we go somewhere like a pool/spring they just stay in the shallow end that doesn't go above their waist