Blacks can't swim??

[EinBebop]

North Miami PD Drops Requirement In Bid To Recruit Blacks (http://www.local10.com/news/3030870/detail.html)

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. -- The North Miami police department dropped a swimming requirement for applicants, saying they need new officers and want to encourage blacks to sign up.

North Miami police say they are dropping the requirement for a year. They say few departments require swimming and their officers rarely save people in water.

Officials also believe the requirement discourages African-Americans and Haitian Americans from applying. The issue surfaced a year ago when a Haitian-American city councilman asked police to drop the requirement because he said blacks historically can't swim.

The request fizzled at the time. Critics say race and ethnicity are not factors when it comes to swimming.
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Part of me feels like this is a trivial requirement. Part of me is disturbed whenever I hear about requirement being relaxed to help women/minorities get into the military/schols/whatever.

[kiddiesunshine]

Hehe. Well.......a lot of us can't. I know I can't swim.

[vector2112]

yeah blacks can't swim...but I'm a super minority so that all cancels out, meaning I can swim...however spanish and black blood cancelled eachother out and now I can't dance :sad: oh well.

[Delthayre]

I'm still trying to figure out the whole, "blacks can't swim," angle. It doesn't make sense to me at all. It just seems... incongruous.

I'm a rather adept swimmer and very at home in the water, so I guess this is another area where I'm just not equipped to genuinely sympathize.

[James]

It all depends if it is indeed that regulation that is preventing minorities signing up.. I think it's highly unlikely. All the black people I have know, to my recollection can swim... I think they may find it's silly focuses on racial stereotypes as exampled which keep minorities away from civil service jobs like this....

[JohnCrichton]

I sink like a rock.

So no... I can't swim.. I didn't know it was because I was black tho! :p

[True Noir]

I can't swim at all, but I'm not black. Well, there are a few ppl out there who can't. No big deal.

[zmanjz]

I have no problem with dropping something like that as a Pre-Hire requirement

But it should be required for continued employment. First Responders, ESPECIALLY those in water-bordering communities. may be the first on the scene at a possible drowning or incident in water (Creeks, Rivers, Community Pools, and The Ocean.)

If someone doesn't know how to swim before they start, they should learn before they go into the field.

[Kurtman]

Oh my God! That's one Piece of VERY Racist News! It Depends on the Individual,Not an Entire Race of People!

[Senbei Norimaki]

Lots Blacks here in North Miami can swim. I'm a Haition American and I can swim. But there is a old saying here among blacks in Miami that Blacks don't like to swim.

[Solitude1]

Damn. Well I guess I can't speak for myself since I can't swim as well:sweat: ...but yeah that I do feel their pushing the whole this minority can't swim thing a bit....:yawn:

[Squall]

Oh my God! That's one Piece of VERY Racist News! It Depends on the Individual,Not an Entire Race of People!
I was also going to state the obvious. :p What the **** does the color of one's skin have to do with the ability to swim? Also, does this mean that hotels that have swimming pools with signs saying "NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY" are now discriminitory? :shrug:

[MJC]

We can swim, we actually just don't like getting our hair wet. Plus, we get really ashy after swimming. :sweat:

[EinBebop]

Also, does this mean that hotels that have swimming pools with signs saying "NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY" are now discriminitory? :shrug:LOL, reminds me of a news story I heard years ago... a chain was being accused of discrimination because they put some of their haircare products under lock-and-key because they kept getting stolen... haircare products that HAPPENED to be popular with minorities.

[Lucky Bob]

I know of a family in which the mother is white, the father is black, and their son is biracial. From what she once told me, black people's bones are denser than those of white people, and so her husband, and oddly enough, her son, have a harder time swimming than she does. Since their bones are so dense, they do not naturally float, and have to put more effort into it. Her husband agreed, saying that he always sank like a rock.

That's what they told me, anyway. I haven't seen any independant verification, so, the question's still open, in my mind. However, if it's true, I say it has less to do with skin color, and more to do with just plain genetics.

[Tienshin]

I know of a family in which the mother is white, the father is black, and their son is biracial. From what she once told me, black people's bones are denser than those of white people, and so her husband, and oddly enough, her son, have a harder time swimming than she does. Since their bones are so dense, they do not naturally float, and have to put more effort into it. Her husband agreed, saying that he always sank like a rock.

That's what they told me, anyway. I haven't seen any independant verification, so, the question's still open, in my mind. However, if it's true, I say it has less to do with skin color, and more to do with just plain genetics.

What?

That's probably the silliest thing I have ever heard. Especially considering the act of swimming is based on technique and has nothing to do with bone density. BONE DENSITY?

[Allen's Nickname.]

"Dense Bone" is the new racial slur.

[Westlander]

Oh, can I play a hypocritic [can't] and moan and squeal that the word "black" is derogatory? And, despite I'm not Afroamerican myself (but I do respect they culture), I find it offensive?
Anyway, such "requirements" are pure BS. Like: you're a whitey - you swim, you're afro - you sink? Utter bollocks!

[Lucky Bob]

What?

That's probably the silliest thing I have ever heard. Especially considering the act of swimming is based on technique and has nothing to do with bone density. BONE DENSITY?The swimming part is technique. The floating part has to do with physical differences. That's just what I've been told. I don't think it's all that implausible that certain genetic traits are passed on in different racial linages.

[EinBebop]

I don't think it's all that implausible that certain genetic traits are passed on in different racial linages.I've always though that some people are a little more dense than others. :D

[SilverKnight]

"The issue surfaced a year ago when a Haitian-American city councilman asked police to drop the requirement because he said blacks historically can't swim."Have to say, that statement is historically stupid. 'Nuff said.

[Lucky Bob]

I've always though that some people are a little more dense than others. :D
*groan* ;)

I think I should also add that I don't think it's impossible for African-Americans to swim, it's just that they have to work at it harder. Like Tienshin said, it's largely technique. The floating does help us lighter types, though.

The point is, I, personally, don't think that it is racist to acknowledge that there are different genetic traits among different races. (Darker skin is a genetic trait, for crying out loud!)

And while most blacks may not be natural swimmers physically, that doesn't mean they can't excel in other sports where whites give a relatively subpar performance. Shoot, just look at most major sports (excluding hockey) today and tell me who the top players are. I think that black people tend to be better athletes than white people, generally speaking. (Of course, there are couch potatoes in every race, but when it comes to the top athletes, blacks have an impressive dominance. One that I wholeheartedly support.)

But as to the original question, it's stupid to drop a swimming requirement based on minority profiling, especially based on the absurd extreme notion that blacks can't swim. I think that a police officer should be trained to be the best he can be in any situation, and that includes swimming. Especially in Florida, of all places.

[FredNash]

If black people can't swim because their bones are denser, then why can't white men jump?

[StarScream64]

We can swim, we actually just don't like getting our hair wet. Plus, we get really ashy after swimming. :sweat:Darn straight!!! That's exactly what it is! Careful, though, you just gave away one of our well-kept secrets. <_< >_>

Oh, can I play a hypocritic [can't] and moan and squeal that the word "black" is derogatory? And, despite I'm not Afroamerican myself (but I do respect they culture), I find it offensive?
Anyway, such "requirements" are pure BS. Like: you're a whitey - you swim, you're afro - you sink? Utter bollocks!
Eh, you get used to it. I mean, look at the choices: I'm not from Africa (nor is anyone in my family going back at least 5 generations), so I wouldn't neccessarily call myself "African-American." Nor is my skin at all really the color "black." I refuse to be called "Negro". But, since "Black" is the most widely used, (and broadly applies to other dark-skinned people not of African decent), that's pretty much what I'll go by.

[JohnCrichton]

I liked this quote I heard on Scrubs once, "I don't mean I dislike African-Americans... just surgeons."

Turk, "We're just called 'black' now, sir." ;)

For me it depends on the sentence... either way, but definately no... I won't tolerate anyone calling me a "negro" unless they they themselves are "negros".

Kinda like I won't stand for someone calling me a "dork" who aren't themselves... a dork. :p

[Squall]

What's wrong with "black" and "white"? They're just skin colors, after all. Besides, if black people in the U.S. (who have never been to Africa) can be called 'African-American', then why can't white people in the U.S. (who have never been to Europe) be called 'European American'?

:confused:

Seeing a list containing

White
African-American
...and so on...

on the 2000 U.S. Census, for example, bothered me. Be consistent! Either you list them as

European-American
African-American
...and so on...

or

White
Black
...and so on...

Ugh, I hate labels...

[shogunthethird]

I wonder if I can use this logic at home "I'd love to help clean out the garage but I can't because historically Jews can't do manual labor"

[guinaevere]

That's one Piece of VERY Racist News! The truth is, affirmative action is a VERY Racist practice. Granted, it's some form of reverse-racism, but the result is the same: insulting minorities.

It insinuates that minorities (generally blacks and hispanics) can't do as well as whites and asians, so they wind up graded on a sort of curve. Were I black or hispanic, I'd be furious that the restrictions were easier on me because of race!!: 'What, you don't think I can do as well because of what I look like, the family I come from?!?!'

I wonder if I can use this logic at home "I'd love to help clean out the garage but I can't because historically Jews can't do manual labor" HA!! I'm one of the few Jewish people in the world who's hands-on. I'm seriously considering taking some automotive-mechanic classes. Can you picture it? Not just a woman mechanic, but a Jewish-woman mechanic?! Good grief, I'd deserve some kind of award for that. :D

[MJC]

The truth is, affirmative action is a VERY Racist practice. Granted, it's some form of reverse-racism, but the result is the same: insulting minorities.

It insinuates that minorities (generally blacks and hispanics) can't do as well as whites and asians, so they wind up graded on a sort of curve. Were I black or hispanic, I'd be furious that the restrictions were easier on me because of race!!: 'What, you don't think I can do as well because of what I look like, the family I come from?!?!

It's not that simple. The fact is that most minorities go to crappy inner-city or rural schools, and are thus at a disadvantage. But that's going off topic, so...*leaves thread*

[So_Sorry]

Blacks can't swim. They raft.

[James]

I'm not sure bone density would make that greater difference as floatation isn't really what swimming is about. Swimming is about technique and muscle power.

I think if there is indeed any truth to a racial distaste for the water it's more likely simply because swimming didn't appeal as much in the past (he says pulling ideas out of his head with no evidence whatsoever). I don't believe swimming is more difficult for a racial element. This whole thing sounds a little silly to justify. Women swim, men swim, fat people swim, thin people swim.. hell, disable people swim - I met a great girl when I worked with disabled passengers at a London Airport who was one of Israel's top disabled swimmers.

Not swimming seems more likely to be a perference or cultural thing rather that a physical one.

[Frank White]

I'm black...and I can't swim...:( ....damn....

[guinaevere]

Not swimming seems more likely to be a perference or cultural thing rather that a physical one.
Sort of like the article (can't remember where I read it, so I can't reference it), that certain groups are concerned that there are fewer and fewer blacks in Major League Baseball. Of the black athletes polled, many of the them are focusing on football and basketball (NBA and NFL) for better salaries and promotional options.

It's as SJJ says, personal preferences.

[Chris Wood]

We all know Black Manta is an outstanding swimmer, so clearly this theory is bunk.

[Space Kitty]

I knew a black guy with a dense bone. He was very popular.:cool:

[wrenchien]

this is a bad topic that brings out bad things in people. .

out of respect for martin luther king jr, eddie murphy, cedric the entertainer, and all positives in the african american community, close the thread, lock it, because everyone in the world can swim if they knew how and they wanted to.
and to assume one race can or can't swim is very insensitive, and hurtful.

[TimTwoFace]

I'm surprised this thread has been around this long and has attracted only a minimum of negative activity.

That said...what a stupid argument to begin with. Honestly, even if the bone mass was denser, that doesn't mean anything - unless you're just going to lie there and float. Yeesh.

-Tim

[Conekiller]

Lots Blacks here in North Miami can swim. I'm a Haition American and I can swim. But there is a old saying here among blacks in Miami that Blacks don't like to swim.
Whenever I go to the beach in Miami I often see black people (tho not nearly as much as tourists and hispanics) but then again, I don't go often (I hate the heat:mad: ) so I don't have really accurate memory of it (plus I'm looking at ...other things)

[Funkatron]

Haitians can't swim? Most of us swam all the way to Florida, didn't we :p:D:D

[EinBebop]

this is a bad topic that brings out bad things in people.Discussion of racial stereotype alive and well in city government, endorsed by a minority leader, leading into a sidebar about whether or not certain races have genetic advantages, is a bad topic?

I find the latter (genetic racial advantages) especially fascinating. Not so much the subject itself, but the response by individuals. It's not at all unreasonable to think that such a thing exists (though I imagine few universities would have the guts to study it) but so many people are unwilling to consider the possibility, as the racial equality worldview has transcended from reason into a realm of blind religion.

[Mr. Pedro]

I've seen a good number of black Seaworld trainers swimming with no difficulty whatsoever.

In fact, I remember there being a big hoopla over during the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney over the fact that a guy who was part African-American won a gold medal in one of the swimming events.

I guess some people can take to water easier than others.

[shogunthethird]

for what it's worth my stepdad could talk for hours on end about whatever was going through his head and I'd have to ask "are you sure there's no Cuban blood in you?"

and I have a Cuban friend who can do the same and I ask him "you sure you're not Jewish?"

before you accuse me of racism, I have witnesses who will corroborate this story

[Avery]

. . . what? I'm very confused . . .

[Chris Wood]

out of respect for martin luther king jr, eddie murphy, cedric the entertainer, and all positives in the african american community, close the thread, lock it, because everyone in the world can swim if they knew how and they wanted to..
Out of respect for Martin Luther King Jr., please don't mention Cedric the "Entertainer" in the same sentence.

[Senbei Norimaki]

Out of respect for Martin Luther King Jr., please don't mention Cedric the "Entertainer" in the same sentence.
I like Cedric the "Entertainer".