Race in the Pool: Blackness and Swimming

It is a widely perpetuated stereotype that Black people can’t swim. On paper, the statistics appear to back-up this perceived notion. Sport England reports that 95% of Black adults and 80% of Black children in England don’t swim, with very similar statistics within Asian communities; and according to the World Health Organisation, people from ethnic minorities are at an increased risk of drowning. But where has this dangerous myth come from? And how do we change this negative and often fatal narrative? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices