Swimming Through the Waves: An Interview Case Study

Abstract

The literature that is currently available regarding African-American swimmers is mostly surrounding high drowning rates, aquatic programs that are available to youth in urban areas, and the barriers and phobias that reside within the African-American community. In Goldsmith’s (2003) article, the researcher states that race determines that the exposure of Black and White students participating in high school sports has much to do with “racial hierarchy” (p. 147). Goldsmith (2003) continues in the article that this is because of structural explanations. It is defined that structural differences are “[defined as] social class, but in general, structural differences include any difference in a larger social pattern in which groups are embedded” (p. 151). For those Blacks who participate in swimming, Goldsmith (2003) quotes Harris (1994) who states that “Black high school basketball players report more social support to play from teachers. coaches, peers and parents than White players do; and African-American swimmers report being harassed at public swimming pools and being stereotyped by White as poor swimmers” (p. 154). Despite the various experiences of Black swimmers, their success within the sport is often gone either unacknowledged or is short-lived in the media.