Im not so sure ponds, creeks, lakes, rivers or the ocean are much better ☺
Posted on 04/07/2012 2:43:19 PM PDT by the scotsman
'A month ago, six African-American teenagers drowned in a single incident in Louisiana, prompting soul-searching about why so many young black Americans can't swim.
When 15-year-old DeKendrix Warner accidentally stepped into deeper water while wading in the Red River in Shreveport, he panicked.
JaTavious Warner, 17, Takeitha Warner, 13, JaMarcus Warner, 14, Litrelle Stewart, 18, Latevin Stewart, 15, and LaDarius Stewart, 17, rushed to help him and each other.
None of them could swim. All six drowned. DeKendrix was rescued by a passer-by.
Maude Warner, mother of three of the victims, and the other adults present also couldn't swim.
The US has almost 3,500 accidental drownings every year, almost 10 a day. But according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fatal drowning rate of African-American children aged five-14 is three times that of white children.
A recent study sponsored by USA Swimming uncovered equally stark statistics. Just under 70% of African-American children surveyed said they had no or low ability to swim. Low ability merely meant they were able to splash around in the shallow end. A further 12% said they could swim but had "taught themselves".
The study found 58% of Hispanic children had no or low swimming ability. For white children, the figure was only 42%.
"It is an epidemic that is almost going unnoticed," says Sue Anderson, director of programmes and services at USA Swimming.
The swimming body would like all children to be taught to swim.
"We would like it to be like seatbelts and bicycle helmets," says Ms Anderson.
But the situation in the US can vary hugely even within a single state.'
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Most familiar with Shreveport have to grin at the names Holder’s People lay on their offspring. It always seemed especially big in Shreeepoot.
“——blacks have higher bone density than whites”
==
I’ll be darned,I didn’t know that. Could be an explanation.
Actually Maine Coon cats are good swimmers. If exposed they like the water. A friend of mine had one on his sailboat for years. The cat loved to swim.
When 70% of ANY group fails to teach their children basic water safety, then they have grossly failed as parents & as a group.
After teaching me the basics of swimming, my dad threw me off the pier when I was too scared to jump. I imagine many fathers did the same thing with their children. Thank you, Dad.
Maine Coon cats are remarkable.
You mean he outweighed his lung flotation ability? He’d have negative boyancy at complete stillness — not even his torso to the surface? Wow ...
Im not so sure ponds, creeks, lakes, rivers or the ocean are much better ☺
I was thrown in a pool at about 1 years old by my dad.
Cullen Jones begs to differ.
Only the government can cure the “pool desert” crisis.
I think genetics play a role whites float, blacks don’t.
The one here is only a couple bucks for a resident and is pretty inexpensive for the season pass. That place is great in the summer for kids and families. Of course, we are also 1 mile from Lake Michigan, so kids should know how to deal with water. You can guess which kids don’t.
The "victim card" has a lot to do with it, too.
You are going to get it now.....
I don’t know which branch of service this was. If this was the Army he was “HIGHLY ENCOURAGED” to learn to swim. Every Army base pool has/had free adult beginner swim lessons. This was my experience back in the late 80’s early 90’s.
If this was the Navy or Marines I think they had to actually learn to swim to pass boot camp, but that’s anecdotal. Perhaps our Navy or Marine brothers can comment.
If this was the air force, they sent the young man to counseling over his PTSD from jumping in a pool.
Great movie, too - "Men of Honor" - on the obstacles he overcame to become the first black Master Diver.
Well, I guess that could excuse all the black people who used to live in Africa.
We kids taught ourselves.
There was a life guard.
It was just a country lake
We paid a couple bucks to get in from money we had earned, swim, watch the girls, fish and maybe get a dreamsickle.
We’d ride our bikes 4 mi out there along a heavy truck route with no adult supervision.
Ahh to be a kid again.
I had heard of the film.
I’ll make a point to watch it
Sailing Down the Chesapeake Bay
Words by Jean C. Havez, Music by George Botsford
Verse 1: 'Round the bend I see the steamer comin' dear,
Headin' here, to this pier;
If you hurry we will make it, never fear,
On the old Dominion Line.
Ain't she sailing pretty as she hugs the shore,
Steamin' for Baltimore.
Hear the paddles turnin', Hear the water churning,
She's the queen of Chesapeake Bay!
Chorus: Come on, Nancy, put your best dress on!
Come on, Nancy, 'fore the steamboats gone.
Everything is lovely on the Chesapeake Bay,
All aboard for Baltimore, and if we're late they'll all be sore!
Now look here, Captain, let's catch that boat,
We can't swim, and brother, we can't float!
Banjoes strumming a good old tune,
Up on deck is the place to spoon.
Cuddled up close beneath the silv'ry moon,
Sailing down the Chesapeake Bay.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.