When Simone Manuel touched the wall to tie for gold in the Women’s 100m Freestyle, I jumped out of my seat, ran around the living room, sent a group text to my sisters and called my mom.
Previous story: Manuel becomes the first African American woman to win swim gold
She did it. We did it.
Seventy percent of African-American and 60 percent of Hispanic/Latino children cannot swim, according to national research study by the USA Swimming Foundation.
I was a part of the majority.
I wasn't afraid to get in the water, I just knew my limit.
When I couldn't feel the bottom of the pool, I'd start to freak. Add that with the rushing water sound in my ears -- yeah, that's when fear kicked in.
It became something I was ashamed of and embarrassed to tell people.
The gasps and questions that followed my revelation, I had no answer for.
Why didn’t you learn? I don’t know, I just knew that I didn’t know how and learning wasn’t a priority.
You know it’s a survival skill, right? Yes, but if you don’t get too deep in the water, you don’t drown, right?
If a parent does not know how to swim, there is only a 13 percent chance that a child in that household will learn how to swim, according to a national research study by the USA Swimming Foundation.
I think what made me most ashamed was the, “Oh, I’m not surprised” reaction.
“Well why aren’t you surprised?” I’d bellow. “Is it because I’m black?”
I would go on to say just because I can’t doesn’t mean none of us could.
African-American children drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their Caucasian peers, according to CDC.
I try to think back on why—why could I not swim? Here are the answers I came up with: To protect that straight hairdo I had and avoid chlorine in my hair? Cause there wasn’t a pool around?
The Turning Point
My friends sent me photos of their weekend lake trip on Snapchat.
Me: Wow, I wish I was there?
Friend: No you know don't.
Me: Why not?
Friend:You know why. Your thing.
My "thing?" So my not knowing how to swim had become my thing.
After trying to figure out the “why I can't,” I decided to turn my attention to the “why not now?”
In June, I went to the Blue Springs YMCA and signed up for swimming lessons. Although I’m no Simone Manuel, I can say I can maneuver in the water and I’m not afraid to drown--even going to the deep end of the pool.
I look forward to improving.
Why is Simone Manuel is important?
Simone winning not only gives little girls hope, but also older women of color hope in knowing that nothing is off limits. It may have taken me years to realize, but the magic inside of us is powerful and can be used in water.
Slay, Simone.
This editorial piece is written by Megan Strickland. She is a Cross-Content Gatherer at 41 Action News.
