From their creation in the 1900s until the 1950s, when they were desegregated, public swimming pools wouldn't allow Black people. For a long time, Black Americans grew up without generational access to swimming pools nor generational swimming skills. After the desegregation, white men did not want white women in bathing suits around Black men, and stories were created about Black people polluting the water with their presence. These facts led, among other things, to the construction of swimming pools in white people's houses and gave birth to the stereotypical joke, "Black people can't swim."

In this episode, I chat with Coach Marvin A. Thorpe II, owner and operator of 4M Swim and Recreation, a swimming club started in Marvin's family backyard pool, that teaches people of all ages and ethnicities how to swim. After Marvin A. Thorpe Sr. moved to Baltimore, and with experience taking care of pools and already a physical education teacher, he bought a property with a pool in it and taught Marvin and his sister how to swim. Since 1972, when Mr. Thorpe founded the 4MSR club, more than 20,000 people learned how to swim in his backyard pool. After Mr. Thorpe passed in 2004, Marvin took over 4MSR and maintained his father's legacy.

Following his father's life work, Marvin teaches people from all ethnicities, especially African American children with no generational access, adults, and children with special needs, how to swim. Marvin was also awarded the 2020 USA Swimming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award. The award acknowledges the efforts to increase awareness and inclusion of underrepresented groups in swimming. 

Tune in to Just Black Talking and learn about Marvin's family's impact on generations of Black Americans. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Can you describe the organization you own, direct and operate? (2:22)
• Can you speak a little bit more about the importance of instruction and expertise? (15:20)
• How do you see swim instruction and confidence, and mastery relates to scholarship in our youth? (18:53)
• How many people do you estimate that you all have instructed and trained how to swim? (22:27)
• What role do you think it plays to go to a Black instructor when you're in that intimate, vulnerable space for black women? (29:49)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Marvin A. Thorpe Sr.'s journey to the creation of his legacy (4:38)
• A bit of context on segregation in public swimming pools (8:47)
• Adapting a legitimate program into the real world (15:41)
• The importance of swimming in personality development (19:03)
• Swimming gives overall health and wellness (26:59)
• The impact of being taught by someone that looks like us and shares the same vision of the world (32:14)

Resources for 4M Swim and Recreation Club:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Go Fund Me

Connect with Marvin:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Music by Danny Stewart:

• Facebook
• Music Homepage

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