May 14th 2024.
It all started with a simple tweet, just like many great ideas and dreams. Paulana Lamonier, a former college athlete, had a strong desire to help her community learn how to swim. She knew that this essential life skill was often not accessible to Black people, so she took it upon herself to make a change. And thus, her NYC-based organization, Black People Will Swim, was born.
Lamonier's initial post in 2019 quickly gained traction, with many people showing their support for her mission. Her goal was to find 30 Black individuals in New York who were ready to take the plunge and learn how to swim. She was determined to not only teach the skill but also make it more affordable for her community. She recognized the systemic barriers that prevented many Black people from learning to swim and knew that breaking them down was the first crucial step.
In an interview with NBC News, Lamonier expressed her motivation for starting Black People Will Swim. She stated that swimming has tragically claimed the lives of many Black people, and they deserve a safe space to learn without discrimination or financial strain. But most importantly, she wanted to create a community where Black people can come together and learn this important skill.
According to USA Swimming, the majority of Black children in America do not know how to swim, with a staggering 64% unable to swim compared to 40% of white children. This statistic has also led to a higher number of drowning incidents among Black children, seven times more than what is reported by the CDC. Lamonier's organization aims to prevent these preventable deaths by providing swim lessons to students of all ages.
Today, Black People Will Swim has a team of twelve all-Black instructors, and they have already made a positive impact. At York College, where Lamonier used to compete, over 300 people have learned how to tread water. One of the significant factors that set Black People Will Swim apart is its affordable cost of only $30 per session. This price point eliminates the financial burden that often comes with accessing pools and swim lessons. The organization's location in Queens is also strategic, as it serves the majority-minority residents who have limited access to New York City's public pools.
Lamonier's ultimate goal is to have its own swim school within NYC, where people can access affordable swim lessons from instructors who look like them. She emphasized the importance of having a Black-owned swim school and other minority-owned establishments in the community. Lamonier believes that this will create a pipeline for diverse aquatic professionals, which is crucial for dismantling the disparity in swimming in America.
Lamonier is not alone in her mission to promote swim lessons in underrepresented communities. She is part of a growing trend of Black individuals who are working towards eliminating the disparities in swimming in America. Together, they hope to build the next generation of diverse swimmers and create a more inclusive and equal society.
In related news, Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing recently announced her retirement and stated that her time in the sport is over. Dearing has been a prominent figure in promoting diversity in swimming and has been a role model for many aspiring Black swimmers. Her retirement is a loss for the swimming community, but her impact and legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
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