I wrote this blog for Momlogic, literally days before 6 black teenagers tragically drowned in a Lousiana river while their parents, also unable to swim, couldn't save them. 

More Black Kids Drown. Are Parents At Fault?

I have a swimming pool at my house. A big ole 18 x 38 inground pool, that’s 8 ft deep on the far end and a diving board to boot, swimming pool. And I don’t know how to swim. Well, I won’t drown, (though I’ve never tested that theory) but I’m certainly no Olympic hopeful.

The pool was my ex-husband’s domain. He is a fish. I’m a black woman with hair issues. And now that he’s gone, I’m here alone with the big pool and his fish-like progeny. That means every summer brings on the anxiety of supervising my kids in the pool. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve taken every swim safety course I can find and keep all sorts of rescue tools nearby. But most importantly, when spring hits I put both of my children in swim lessons long before swimming season starts just to refresh their skills. When my budget allows, I’ve also had a certified swim instructor come to the house.  

Still, I’m haunted by the statistics.

Black children are 3 times more likely to drown. And 70% of African American Children and 58% of Hispanic Children have low or no swimming ability, compared to 40% of Caucasian children, putting them at a greater risk of drowning, according to a new report by USA Swimming which works to lower minority drowning rates and draw more blacks into the sport.....

Read more at   www.mochamanual.com/blog