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Hi! The ones (Black themselves) I've talked with about the subject said it's not that they can't swim. They generally don't swim because of their hair. Which I don't really understand because I remember when I was in school I was fascinated by the fact that the hair of some black kids didn't get wet even after being in the water for some time. Whatever could happen to one's hair through swimming? Are there other reasons? Thanks!
Last edited by Bo; 06-02-2009 at 07:25 AM..
Reason: Moved from General US.
Hi! The ones (Black themselves) I've talked with about the subject said it's not that they can't swim. They generally don't swim because of their hair. Which I don't really understand because I remember when I was in school I was fascinated by the fact that the hair of some black kids didn't get wet even after being in the water for some time. Whatever could happen to one's hair through swimming? Are there other reasons? Thanks!
If their hair is treated, or they have a weave, the chlorine can ruin their hair. Kids don't typically have weaves or treated hair, so this isn't a problem for them.
Blacks can swim; it is my understanding that most of them are less comfortable swimming than whites, and not as fast or as proficient at swimming as whites, because of their greater bone density.
Although, on the whole, I'd happily trade in "greater swimming ability" for increased bone density.
I'd say blacks have the clear advantage over whites on this one.
If the Jewish thread got shut it feels like this one should.
In any event many swimmers shave their head and it's not that unusual for black athletes in many sports to shave their head. (Likely many athletes of all races do that, I can see an advantage) Suriname's only gold medalist at the Olympics was Afro-Carribean swimmers Anthony Nesty. He studied in the US and apparently lives in Florida now. The US has too, even if you don't count him. There a 2007 film called "Pride" about a black swim team in Pennsylvania. Cullen Jones was on America's gold medal winning relay team with Michael Phelps.
Last edited by Thomas R.; 06-02-2009 at 05:59 AM..
Reason: screwed something up
This is silly. I've never heard of black folks having greater bone density but okay let's say that this is true don't understand how that would affect swimming ability? Would we sink like stones or something? I don't know. Anyways it is true that statistically something like 55% of black people can not swim versus 35% of whites. Also Hispanics statistically have a large of people who can not swim.
People of all races with lower incomes often do not learn how to swim. So income has to do with it. Not sure why since there are public swimming pools in most cities. Although lessons do cost money. As far as hair getting wet, well girls with weaves, perms and relaxers usually can not get their hair wet. The hair thing only explains why black girls won't swim versus can't, despite the previously mentioned statistics chances are they were taught at one time but trips to the salon are expensive and often aren't seen as worth throwing money away over just for a lap around the pool.
Last edited by terrence81; 06-02-2009 at 06:44 AM..
Blacks can swim; it is my understanding that most of them are less comfortable swimming than whites, and not as fast or as proficient at swimming as whites, because of their greater bone density.
Although, on the whole, I'd happily trade in "greater swimming ability" for increased bone density.
I'd say blacks have the clear advantage over whites on this one.
I don't know if a higher bone density is all that good. When I worked in an oral surgeon's office, because of the higher bone density, we had to increase the x-ray level. But that was many years ago and technology may have changed.
I would guess that blacks in rural areas with lakes and ponds and such swim about as much as everyone else. The Malians had a whole society of fisherman, presumably they could swim.
This thread is rather silly and frankly strikes me as potentially offensive.
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