Houston native Simone Manuel now shares the world record for the fastest time in the 100-meter freestyle, and she is also the first black American athlete to win a gold medal in any swimming or diving event.
Her victory roughly coincides with the release of a university study which concludes that 70 percent of black children cannot swim. Furthermore, black children between ages 11 and 12 suffer from an accidental swimming pool drowning rate that’s ten times greater than white children of a similar age. To explain the discrepancy, some scholars blame the residual effects of racial segregation. Many municipal pools were not legally integrated until the 1960s or 1970s, and informal discrimination remained at some locations for decades afterwards. As a result, swimming was not part of the black experience for many children who grew up in the latter part of the 20th century, and some parents may pass their preferences onto their children. [Read more…] about Regional Athlete Wins Olympic Gold
swimming pool drowning
Swimming Pool Drowning At Community Pool In Youngsville
Surveillance footage which came to light after the incident clearly shows that an 8-year-old boy fell off a raft at an unattended swimming pool, and he had been at the bottom of the pool for some time before first responders arrived.
Youngsville Police Chief Rickey Boudreaux said the incident occurred during a family gathering. The boy, whose name was not released, was transported to a local hospital where he was later declared dead. [Read more…] about Swimming Pool Drowning At Community Pool In Youngsville