Code Switch How racism kept Americans out of pools
Aug 27, 2025
Jasmine Romero, a talented writer and former Sesame Street actor, is bravely learning to swim while confronting her long-held fears rooted in family tradition. Historian Jeff Wiltie joins her to explore America's swimming pool history, revealing how segregation shaped pool access and created disparities in swimming skills today. They discuss generational trauma related to water within communities of color, the evolving role of public pools, and the emotional journey of overcoming fears for the sake of their children.
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Adult Beginner Among Kids
- Jasmine Romero, in her mid-30s, enrolls in a beginner swim class and finds herself the only adult among four- and five-year-olds.
- She describes acute anxiety changing around small kids and feeling out of place while learning basic skills.
Swimming Skill Disparities
- Black and Latino children have far lower swimming proficiency than white children, correlating with higher drowning rates.
- Economic status and race shape who learns to swim, turning water safety into an equity issue.
Work On Fear And Breath Control
- Let go of fear when learning to swim; fear impedes progress and must be addressed mentally.
- Practice breath control and repetitive strokes to calm the body and build competence in the water.
