As the fervor of the Summer Olympics fades, an essential dialogue about water safety and representation continues to make waves. Black Public Media (BPM) is keeping this conversation alive with their film Black Folk Don’t… Swim, now featured in their AfroPoP Digital Shorts series on YouTube. While the film isn’t new, its re-release is perfectly timed with the Olympic spotlight on swimming, making it an important resource for understanding the intersections of culture, safety, and representation.

Directed by Angela Tucker, an Emmy and Webby award-winning writer, director, and producer, Black Folk Don’t… Swim is part of BPM’s Black Folk Don’t series. This satirical documentary web series humorously tackles prevalent myths and stereotypes about Black communities.

Tucker’s impressive body of work includes the feature-length documentary Asexual, and Belly of the Beast, a film that won her an Emmy. Her work as a producer also includes The New Black, a documentary that observes the intersection of the African American and LGBT civil rights movements and won the Creative Promise Award at Tribeca All Access. Angela Tucker’s credentials extend to her role as series producer for BPM’s AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange and her position as director of production at Big Mouth Films, a project of Arts Engine, Inc. She is also the founder of Tucker Gurl Inc., a boutique production company. Tucker received her MFA in Film from Columbia University, where she was awarded a Dean’s Fellowship.

Diving into the Issue

According to USA Swimming, as many as 70 percent of Black people do not know how to swim. Additionally, Black people ages 5 to 19 drown in pools at 5.5 times the rate of whites. With this statistic, organizations including Sigma Gamma Rho and No More Under have taken up the cause to change this.

Denise Greene, Director of Programs at BPM, emphasized the film’s importance in addressing critical issues related to water safety within the Black community. “Black Folk Don’t…Swim touches on an issue that is so critical to our community in terms of water safety and saving lives,” Greene said. “It’s a great way to engage folks around serious issues.” The film not only brings awareness but also encourages reflection on the broader implications of swimming proficiency and safety.

Greene also highlighted BPM’s dedication to diverse storytelling through their AfroPoP digital short series. “Our Afro Pop digital short series allows us to hear from our audience a bit and showcase a variety of subject matters or creative approaches,” she noted. This platform enables BPM to explore significant topics and share them with a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of these issues.

Historical Context and Cultural Impact

Angela Tucker shared her motivation for creating Black Folk Don’t… Swim. “I came up with Black Folk Don’t Swim when Black Public Media put out a call for digital series,” she recalled. “It was important to show that [Black people do not swim] for a lot of complicated reasons that are historical,” Tucker explained. The film analyzes the historical and cultural factors affecting swimming participation among Black individuals, providing a nuanced view of these barriers.

Tucker emphasized the importance of using humor to engage audiences in documentary format. “Utilizing humor in documentary format is really important. It brings people together and allows them to see others in their full selves,” she said.

Reflecting on her experiences living in New Orleans, Tucker noted, “Living in New Orleans, you hear a lot of stories about some people who are lost because they didn’t know how to swim during Katrina.” This personal connection underscored the urgency of addressing swimming education and safety within the Black community for her.

Shifting Perceptions and Future Directions

Despite progress in raising awareness about swimming among Black individuals, Tucker acknowledges, “There has been a shift in the perception of swimming for Black people… More and more people are discussing it, but there’s still a lot of work to do.” This ongoing dialogue will be vital for promoting water safety and encouraging more Black individuals to engage with swimming.

The film also features insights from notable figures such as writer and podcaster Touré and media personality Melissa Harris Perry, adding depth to the discussion about Black participation in swimming. With the achievements of Black swimmers like Simone Manuel and Shaine Casas at this year’s Olympics, and Anthony Nesty making history as the first Black U.S. head swimming coach, the film’s exploration of these themes remains highly relevant.

Watch the Film

You can now watch Black Folk Don’t… Swim for free on the Black Public Media YouTube Channel, embedded below.

Cover photo: The Summer Games May Be Over, But the Much-Needed Conversation About Black People and Swimming Is Not / Photo Courtesy of Black Public Media