This week’s "Black Recipes" newsletter isn’t about food, it’s about water. Rev. Evelyn takes us to the poolside to smash a stereotype that’s haunted us for generations.
I am an adult who cannot swim…. I am afraid of drowning. My mother and grandmother were deathly afraid of the water. 💦 This is true even though they and I grew up near the ocean.
I had a cousin who was a twin and drowned to death in the neighborhood pool. So growing up we treated swimming like a curse almost. I hope one day you decide to conquer that fear and enjoy the waters with your husband and son!
I am a certified scuba diver. I’m so glad my grandmother insisted I take swimming lessons at the local “Black” recreation center and then later at the other center. Because of that decision, when I wanted to learn to scuba, I could. I fell so in love with it that I started a nonprofit for brown children to become certified divers. I ran it for three years. A pic of my last group of kids…
That's wonderful. I saw someone SCUB diving in a video the other day, and that's something I'd love to learn when I visit my family's homeland, Barbados. ✌🏽
My grandma was one of the first black/hispanic immigrants to attend a college in my city & could only use the pool at night. This is how she learned to swim properly. She taught my mom and mom taught me. Being in water feels so spiritual to me. It’s deeply ancestral for sure.
My sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., has a national program - Swim 1922 - dedicated to teaching Black people water safety and how to swim. There may be a chapter in your area that has related events
Last summer it was so hot that I specifically took time to get in my neighborhood pool and learn how to swim. I've been watching the world burn this year and I'm glad I took the time. Stay ready and you ain't gotta get ready.
This was a great article, I took swim lessons and was decent in a pool. Then I went to the ocean and freaked out and almost drowned. Now I’m not even good in a pool anymore because I keep thinking of that. Yet my husband, whose Black and his family know how to swim. When I went to Grenada with my bestie, all her aunties knew how to swim, since childhood. I’ve put my kids in swimming classes, because I don’t want anything to be a hindrance for them. I’m determined to keep trying, but I don’t know how to get out of my head.
So, you've nailed it. It's in your head, but it's so real and paralyzing. You might think about trying hypnosis, which has helped people quit smoking and change other behaviors. I hope you find a solution that makes you feel safe and confident in the water. ✌🏽
This showed up on my feed for a reason! I just posted about how I spoke to the first Black swim club in the country about my novel, which is a children’s ghost story that explores the history of segregated swimming pools. This is a great read - I think it’s soo important to look past what things are and focus on the why. Thank you for posting!!!!
One of the consequences of the legacy of racial segregation around swimming and lack of access to safe and supervised swimming pools was that many Black children did, in fact, drown in lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. This creates fear in parents and children, leading them to avoid water and swimming. The fear Black folks have about drowning and swimming is layered.
I am an adult who cannot swim…. I am afraid of drowning. My mother and grandmother were deathly afraid of the water. 💦 This is true even though they and I grew up near the ocean.
Finding a patient, sensitive swim instructor might help you let go of your fear. Whenever you decide to, there's freedom in releasing fear. ✌🏽
I receive the encouragement with love. Thank you.
I had a cousin who was a twin and drowned to death in the neighborhood pool. So growing up we treated swimming like a curse almost. I hope one day you decide to conquer that fear and enjoy the waters with your husband and son!
Thank you. This recipe has me thinking about doing just that….
My husband and sons are excellent swimmers.
I am a certified scuba diver. I’m so glad my grandmother insisted I take swimming lessons at the local “Black” recreation center and then later at the other center. Because of that decision, when I wanted to learn to scuba, I could. I fell so in love with it that I started a nonprofit for brown children to become certified divers. I ran it for three years. A pic of my last group of kids…
That's wonderful. I saw someone SCUB diving in a video the other day, and that's something I'd love to learn when I visit my family's homeland, Barbados. ✌🏽
Oh, I was able to dive in Barbados! It’s one of my favorite places to visit (not just because of the diving). I felt at home there. ❤️
Profound post and message!!! I love it.
@Rev. Evelyn Bourne (Ambilike)’s pen had to be in flames by the time she finished this piece!
I never learned how to swim, but I’m hoping to change that next year since I plan to live near the water 🧜🏾♀️
Yes. knowing how to swim will make you feel more confident around bodies of water.
Same! I live near water and I plan for my daughter and I to learn together real soon.
Love this recipe! If niggas knew how to swim, we would leave Michael Phelps in the dust. Bet money ✊🏿 thank you for this article
Thank you so much for this comment! This is probably one of our most important recipes to date!
I definitely cannot swim, deeply afraid of water and drowning. I used to have nightmares about it.
I'm sorry to hear that. It would be cool to one day be free of that fear so you can enjoy being near or in bodies of water comfortably. ✌🏽
My grandma was one of the first black/hispanic immigrants to attend a college in my city & could only use the pool at night. This is how she learned to swim properly. She taught my mom and mom taught me. Being in water feels so spiritual to me. It’s deeply ancestral for sure.
What a powerful legacy. ✌🏽
I should learn how to swim.
As a nigga that can’t swim I love the title, I really need to take some lessons!
wonderful read
My sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., has a national program - Swim 1922 - dedicated to teaching Black people water safety and how to swim. There may be a chapter in your area that has related events
Wait WHAT!!!!
Last summer it was so hot that I specifically took time to get in my neighborhood pool and learn how to swim. I've been watching the world burn this year and I'm glad I took the time. Stay ready and you ain't gotta get ready.
Absolutely.
This was a great article, I took swim lessons and was decent in a pool. Then I went to the ocean and freaked out and almost drowned. Now I’m not even good in a pool anymore because I keep thinking of that. Yet my husband, whose Black and his family know how to swim. When I went to Grenada with my bestie, all her aunties knew how to swim, since childhood. I’ve put my kids in swimming classes, because I don’t want anything to be a hindrance for them. I’m determined to keep trying, but I don’t know how to get out of my head.
So, you've nailed it. It's in your head, but it's so real and paralyzing. You might think about trying hypnosis, which has helped people quit smoking and change other behaviors. I hope you find a solution that makes you feel safe and confident in the water. ✌🏽
This showed up on my feed for a reason! I just posted about how I spoke to the first Black swim club in the country about my novel, which is a children’s ghost story that explores the history of segregated swimming pools. This is a great read - I think it’s soo important to look past what things are and focus on the why. Thank you for posting!!!!
One of the consequences of the legacy of racial segregation around swimming and lack of access to safe and supervised swimming pools was that many Black children did, in fact, drown in lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. This creates fear in parents and children, leading them to avoid water and swimming. The fear Black folks have about drowning and swimming is layered.
Yes indeed it is layered.