Wright On The Edge Plunges Into Public Pools’ Contentious Past

On August 3rd, 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.

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the drowning rate for African-American children aged five-14 is 3 times that of white children. The major reason behind the problem could lie in the era of segregation says Profressor Jeff Wiltse, author of Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America. Professor Wiltse says that “The history of discrimination… has contributed to the drowning and swimming rates. ” “Black Americans were largely and systematically denied access to public pools.” “Swimming never became a part of African-American culture.

Join Wendy Wright and Professor Jeff Wiltse for a compelling discussion on the social and cultural history of swimming pools this Saturday at 1pm ET. Talk just got interesting!

Wright On The Edge, Saturday from 1-3pm on WOL and streaming live at woldcnews.com