Mermaids? For real? Now we know the answer is a joyful yes and the sightings have been confirmed. Mahogany Mermaids, a swim team that personifies the same qualities of charm, glamour and beauty that have been attributed to mermaids for thousands of years.
The Mahogany Mermaids was formed years ago to bring Black women (well, there is now one Merman among them) out of fear and into the water. Women in their 40s who have never learned to swim are taking the plunge in joy and safety. No more sitting on the sidelines wishing you could be part of the carefree sisterhood that has learned to literally and figuratively dive right in.
While water safety should be non-negotiable, 40 percent of white youth has no or low swimming ability, the number rises to 64 percent of Black children. This continues into adulthood with a dismal disparity between swimming ability and the horror of drowning with Black Americans 3 to 4 times as likely to drown as white Americans.
Although there are many champion Black modern swimmers, the Mahogany adds to its goal reclaiming the rich legacy of African swimmers, who for centuries were the world’s best having learned to swim as soon as they could walk. Undercurrents of Power Aquatic Culture in the African Diaspora by Kevin Dawson is a magnificent telling of just what the Mermaids want to reclaim. The picture on the front cover took my breath away.
Everything about this group of Mermaids is courageous, glamorous and committed to joining in friendship to overcome fear. Listen to Celeste Thompson talk about her experience with Mahogany Mermaids and what she does as a coach for this team. And, for added joy, take a nice up-close look at a face of aquatic beauty talking about the Mermaids and some of the challenges they face.