By Jessica Hopper
Rock Center
Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones describes the pool as feeling like “home,” but it wasn’t always that way. After nearly drowning as a 5-year-old child, Jones learned to swim and has made it his mission to reduce the startling number of drowning deaths among African-American children each year.
“I remember what it feels like to be underwater and I remember what it feels like to be helpless,” said Jones of the time he nearly drowned at a water park. "I was underwater, I couldn’t breathe…and then I completely passed out.”
Now 28 years old, the freestyle sprinter is gearing up for the London Olympics after winning a gold medal four years ago in Beijing. While Jones’ swimming talent is remarkable, his near drowning experience is not. A study by the University of Memphis and the USA Swimming organization showed that around 70 percent of African-American children don't know how to swim, compared to about 40 percent of white children. African-American children between the ages of five and 14 are three times more likely than other children to drown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When the African-American Jones first learned these numbers a few years ago, he was shocked.
“I am also one of the statistics, because I almost drowned. It seems like everything in my life was written on that page,” Jones said in an interview scheduled to air Thursday, July 26 at 10pm/9c on NBC.
Jones still vividly remembers the moment he almost died. He and his parents had left their New Jersey home for a day of fun at Pennsylvania’s Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom. But at one point, his inner tube flipped over and he was underwater for 30 seconds.
“So I was holding on to this inner tube and I'm, like, flailing,” he said.
“My parents told me I was clinically dead,” Jones said. “My mom was in tears. My dad was trying to console her and the lifeguard was giving me CPR.”
Lifeguards performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to bring Jones back to life. Jones’ mother, Debra, watched in horror. She couldn’t swim and was unable to help her son. After nearly losing her only child, she decided to put Jones in swim classes within the week.
Jones now travels the country with the Make a Splash Initiative, recounting his story to minority kids in hopes that he can raise the number of minority swimmers and consequently reduce the amount of drowning deaths.
Study shows fear of drowning keeps African-Americans out of water
When Jones learned the most common reason African-American children don’t know how to swim, he was stunned.
“We always thought this was an income thing and then we started talking to more and more people. It’s the fear aspect. You have parents that have had traumatic instances in their lives and they project it onto their children and then they treat the water life fire-[it’s] hot, stay away,” Jones said.
University of Memphis Professor Carol Irwin conducted the first ever study on minorities and swimming. When she and her team began their research, she heard many reasons for why some African-Americans don’t know how to swim. The reasons ranged from the cost of lessons to access to pools to the worry some African-American women have about getting straightened hair wet.
But the overwhelming reason was fear of drowning. According to the study, that fear is keeping many African-American parents from putting their kids in swimming classes and that ultimately puts more kids at risk to drown.
“It has been a legacy of fear. Parents have passed it down generation after generation and that came out loud and clear in our focus groups because we’d have grandmothers and mothers sitting right next to each other, you know, mother and daughter, and we’d find out that the grandmother didn’t allow the mother to learn how to swim because she was fearful herself,” Irwin said.
Shreveport drowning tragedy a ‘wake-up call’
Tragic drowning incidents, both those seen in the news and experienced personally, perpetuate the fear of water among some African-Americans.
The drowning deaths of six African-American teenagers in Shreveport, La., in 2010 prompted Jones to fight harder in his mission to promote minority swimming.
“When I heard about the Louisiana drownings, I was actually at a swim meet. It was right before my 50-freestyle and my heart was so heavy that day,” Jones said.
In August 2010, a group of teenagers headed to the Red River to cool off from the Louisiana heat. Three of the teens, Latrell, Latevin and Ladarius, were Rena and Willie Blalock’s sons.
“All of the kids are really basically close,” an emotional Rena Blalock said. “They spent a lot of time with each other.”
The brothers went with a group of siblings from another family to the Red River. Rena Blalock was at work and her husband was out of town.
Within minutes of arriving, a friend of the boys went wading into the river, but he got into trouble after he suddenly slipped into deep water. He panicked. Each of the Blalock couple’s sons tried to save their friend. They drowned, and so did three teenagers from another family-Takeitha, JaMarcus and JaTavious Warner.
The Blalocks said that their sons did have swimming skills, but many of the adults present at the river could not swim.
“It’s a wake-up call for people to know how to swim because if somebody is in trouble drowning, maybe you could help and, you know, it’d save another family from the pain that we had to suffer and go through,” said Rena Blalock.
For Jones, what happened in Louisiana serves as a constant reminder of why swimming for him is more than just a sport.
“It is so much bigger. You’re saving your child’s life by giving them swim lessons,” he said.
Editor’s Note: Tamron Hall’s full report airs Thursday, July 26 at 10pm/9c on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams.
Leave a Comment:
"...White Men cant jump..." - not a racist comment from liberals?
"...Black Men can't swim..." - is a racist comment from conservatives?
LOL!!! Patrick .... "White men can't jump" is just a Joke/title of a movie. I really would'nt put too much into that. And as far as the "Black Men can't swim" - That's just a stupid Stereotype (black folks have many as you know), I would'nt exactly call that racist either.
"White men can't jump" despite that fact the likely gold medalists of the high jump in the 2012 Olympics will happen to be... white ??? Should Cullen then start a program in stemming people of a certain race from getting high???
What is also typical -
Rodman's father - 29 kids by 16 women.
....also over 70% rate for fatherless black children....when do the classes begin on teaching responsibility for that.........
not PC. It's not going to happen.
I think its a great idea. Some are never happy and people need to realize, the creator's of this idea/program didn't have to do shyt but they did. If you feel this program sucks, go out and create your own program. It's very simple.
Where were you when rodney king needed you kid?
Cullen Jones must not be confident in Black parenting skills since focus is on those so called half Americans "African-Americans" not drowing. He must assume that parents of all the other races are responsible enough to teach their children to swim or register them for classes to learn to swim. Cullen, your an insult to responsible black parents, they dont need prevention of drowning from some Olympian, rather they are responsible enough on their own to get their children taught on how to swim.
Wow, I guess it is true that no good deed goes unpunished. Cullen, bring home some precious metal.
Yep, Cullen bring home a medal & when you come back, focus on stemming drownings of ALL races.
Kudos to Cullen for turning a bad personal experience into an attempt to have a positive impact on society. Even if it is a group with in the larger whole. Helping a group within can have a positive effect on the larger whole.
Cullen's comments about African Americans and swimming are not racist. It is an unfortunate statistical and historical fact that a majority of drowning deaths are African American. What Cullen is trying to do, and a lot of people are busting his nuts over, is change that by telling people, "I almost drowned, but that didn't stop me from getting back in the water. I learned how to swim, and you can too."
"Study shows fear of drowning keeps African-Americans out of water"
I can't speak to what goes on in other parts of the country, but where I live, public pools that were racially segregated in the past are still segregated by custom. No pool access of course means it's highly unlikely you'll ever learn to swim.
P. S.
Can't we ever talk about an issue without insulting people? If someone decided to focus on helping people with diabetes, do non-diabetics get angry about it? Are the non-diabetics like "Hey! We could use some nutritional education too!". Sheesh.
why is it that many black celebrities, black military generals, congressman, and even Clarence Thomas are not allowed on the premises of many white country clubs. Or, if they are allowed to enter for dinner, they cannot golf or use the gym and swimming pools. Even today Oprah and Michael Jordan cannot go into several white own areas of the country. Point is: white recism against black did not end in 1965.
Wow, Isn't it sad that, on both sides, we make everything about race in this country? It's 2012 and we still can't move forward and learn from the mistakes of the past rather than wallowing in them.
Here is someone trying to do something positive and people have to tear it apart and make it negative. I'm guessing those same people probably don't do anything to help anyone but themselves but they have room to talk about this guys motives!
WOW! As one that views the concept of political correctness as a totally evil tool of elitist douche bag liberals, I can only envision a hipster tree hugger stroking out as he has to acknowledge a racist stereo type as a fact ,to support this "African-American"(another ridiculous politically correct label...he's a black guy...and yes I'm a white guy) and his mission. Truly, I thought I was reading an article from Onion. Thank you MSN for the huge laugh..and to all that hate and are judging me right now, lighten up and get over yourselves.(I am totally aware of the run on sentence and poor grammar) GO TEAM USA!!!!
This is an elite athlete who has taken up a cause to improve a bad situation. For plenty of personal reasons, he has chosen one that feels close to him. And some comment that this is racist? No this is simply trying to help make the world better and trying to do so in a chosen area. He is not going to save the world but he can make a difference. His intent and effort is heroic. Now if everyone could find their own way to help out causes that are close to them, we would be heading in a better direction. Why try to cloud this with political positions, and racist comments.
Oh ya, Kurt, you really are a small minded idiot
gatecrasher, sorry that you think people who want to stem drownings of peoples of ALL races as "small minded idiots". Name calling does not achieve much, does it? It is your right to agree with Cullen that we should only try to stem drownings of just one race that just so happens to be Cullen's race but no need to name call those who disagree with that.
Love the combination of sports commentaries and race. How about this: in Afghanistan, a 7.62 round is fired by a sniper's rifle. Will all races experience the same shot or will white, or black, soldiers fair better? We've got more important issues to read about - this is a joke. As a vet, friends from the south hated cold weather. Blacks didn't really like swimming. I don't care what color you are, but the story has validity. I had many black friends in Virginia and was always amazed at how many didn't like to go into the water. This is a no-brainer for people with friends of both colors. And you're right: we really CAN'T jump......that doesn't make the NBA a racist organization.
Certain race "can't jump" despite that fact that the likely winner of the high jump in the 2012 Olympics happens to be that race that "can't jump"
The guy's trying to do something positive, do we have to be jerks all the time?
What an idiotic mission. As a black person, I'm tired of this or that hero trying to help blacks in some manner. I taught myself how to swim when I was 9, I don't need this guy trying to "help" us. Geez...
The man is to be commended. I've had trouble understanding why swimming isn't taught in the public schools, starting in kindergarten. I was one of the 40 percent of caucasians. My foster parents didn't want to be bothered with the inconvenience and expense of getting us foster kids involved in swimming, so they made us all afraid of the water to keep us from bothering them about it. I learned to swim in one easy lesson in Marine Corps boot camp. When we lined up at the enormous pool, the Drill Instructor said, "You WILL do six laps before you get out of the pool. I don't care if you swim, crawl, walk on the bottom, or walk on the top, you WILL do six laps." I was sure I was going to die. It was one of the most confusing, scary experiences of my life up to that point. I'd paddle and cough and choke until I went to the bottom, then they'd fish me out with a long pole, pump the water out of me and send me back in. There surely must be a better way.
There is always the aura of racism that is sweltered among things the black man are not predisposed to and I we should understand by now that's the polarized racial society that we live in that has cause this. The black man is an Olympian and that is all that matters. The black man is rightfully claim what he should have had; things that social demarcation pushed upon them. Who would think the United States would have a black president--not that many like it, but Que Serra Serra, and we cannot beat that!
Anyone who thinks the US has a "black President" are either ignorning the President's mother or has no clue who the President's mother was. Have you seen a picture of the President's mother???
What is an "African-American"? He is an American......Olympic contestant. Is he swimming for both Africa and America? Give us a break. An American is an American. The press has a field day with dual name "Americans". Teddy Roosevelt made it very clear in 1097 in his speech that Americans are Americans....they hold their honor and loyalty to America period. Not to discard their origins, but they can be loyal to only one country....our country. They become "Americans". Drop the dual titles, please. As for his targeting black children only.......pure prejudice, no other way to take it. How far could be get if a person wanted to only teach white children. Wake up.
Amen. Your ass is AMERICAN.
Supposedly mankind started in Africa tens of thousands of years ago; as a "white boy" but still a descendant of wherever life started (scientifically determined to be Africa) does that make me AFRICAN-AMERICAN???
Yep, only black people are capable of drowning....It's totally a conspiracy between the oceans, rivers, lakes and pools.
It's simple, don't drink and swim. BTW she is technically Chinese-African-American...or as I prefer an American
I wish I had a dollar for every time a positive story about the black community became a "what about us poor white folks" argument in the comments. I'd donate it all here:
http://www.derailingfordummies.com/
Does that mean you're gonna let the cracker drown?
drownings? How bout gun violence? or deadbeat dads? Swimming can wait.
...and to be really Politically Incorrect, what about all those aborted ones of a certain race? Should Cullen stem abortions, afterall, far more of Cullen's race are killed by being aborted than drowning. If fact, it is the number # killer of children of ALL races.
First of all I think it is commendable that this Olympic Swimmer wants to ensure that African-American children can learn how to swim. When I was a child I too almost drowned at a beach in NY. As a result I developed a fear of the water. However, in 1975, I enlisted in the US Navy with the intention of completing college and eventually earning a commission. In boot camp, on the day of the swim test, I informed the instructors that I could not swim. I was told to jump anyway! I learned some basic water survival skills but still was not comfortable with swimming. When I finally go selected for OCS in 1982 and took the swim test I failed. Persistence and the fear of not earning my commission made me get up every morning to be at pool at 5:30 in the winter in Rhode Island where I learned to swim better. I eventually passed the basic swim test and all the other swimming requirements and earned my commission. I have a healthy respect for the water but my fear has diminished. I now enjoy the water and have taught my nephews and grandchildren how to swim. I support what Cullen is trying to do and also agree that it should not be limited to just African-Americans. The YMCA is probably one of the best place to learn and I alway encourage any of my friends who don't know the joy of swimming to learn.
As an Irish-American I would like to add a little historical perspective. I and all my very large family can swim. We can swim because my predecessors were very well to do with boats and summer beach houses so everyone needed to learn to swim. Each generation has taught the next to swim. The reason for the high percentage of non-swimmers in the African-American population goes back to slavery. Slave owners did not allow slaves to learn swimming because runaway slaves could swim across rivers and be more likely to escape. If they had to cross bridges they would be spotted and captured. If parents can't swim they can't teach their children. This has perpetuated through lack of access to swimming facilities in the recent past and to some extent present and given us this situation. I applaud this athlete's goal and role model status and wish him the best in his endeavors.
Sort like saying non of my background was in Engineering, therefore, I could not be an Engineer. ANY mentally and physically responsible person no matter their race can learn something that was NEVER done by their ancestors. Just need the responsibility and inititive to learn rather than make excuses regarding one's background
That might be a logical reply if swimming was considered an academic subject like mathematics and thus taught in public schools. Equal access?
Thank you!
Sam, you might be shocked, but people DID learn things before there were Public Schools. You do NOT need a Public School to learn how to swim. In fact, dont need access to a pool to learn how to swim, there are ponds, lakes, oceans, seas, canals, sewer drains, rivers, bays, deltas etc. (saw people swimming in all these places in very poor regions of the world, I am sure not ALL of them had access to a pool and/or "public education"
I never said that you needed a public school to learn to swim, you brought education into it by equating learning to swim with becoming an engineer. BTW we all swim and have lots and lots of engineers in the family. SOMEBODY has to know how to swim to teach others, if no one of your acquaintance can swim how do you propose learning? By near drowning experience? That would tend to lead to a fear of swimming, just as mentioned in the article.
"SOMEBODY has to know how to swim to teach others, if no one of your acquaintance can swim how do you propose learning?" per Sam
There is a thing known as self-learning. If your statement is true Sam, then NO one would know how to swim as the 1st person in the world that learned how to swim did not have "somebody" to teach that person to swim. Rather than make excuses for people get people to have the inititive and desire to learn rather than waiting for someone or some Institution to "teach" them.
Self-taught swimming can also lead to self-drowning, not quite the same risk as teaching yourself calculus. I teach my students to teach themselves and to extend their learning all their lives and they are only ten. But you can't profitably communicate with someone who isn't interested in considering all sides of an issue.
Retard !
Sam, here is a shocker for you, there are those who were taught by others to swim that have drowned. So when you state "Self-taught swimming can also lead to self-drowning". Being taught by others to swim can also lead to drowning. Most of us took Driver Education courses, but many of us will STILL be in an auto accident at least once in our lives or even a few of us may die in an auto accident despite that Driver Education Class from that great Driver Education Teacher.
WiseOne, I am not sure who you are calling a "retard". Despite our disagreement, I don't think either Sam nor I as a "retard". Sam for all I know maybe a very brillant person but just have a disagreement about learning as related to ones background. I happen to believe one can still learn something even if no one in one's background learned that nor does that person have to wait for someone to teach them something new