What Do Classical Education and Swimming Have in Common?

My mother once shared with me the poignant tale of why she never learned to swim. Growing up in North Carolina, she was denied access to the local swimming pool due to the oppressive Jim Crow laws that barred Black individuals from such facilities. This systemic injustice not only deprived her generation of the opportunity to acquire this life skill but also hindered the passing down of swimming knowledge to their children. Even after the abolition of Jim Crow, her local pool chose exclusion over inclusion, closing its doors to all rather than opening them to Black individuals. Consequently, a significant portion of America’s Black population remains unable to swim, as swimming was not ingrained in our cultural heritage nor accessible to our community. Many essential opportunities for progress were deliberately withheld from us, necessitating alternative paths to access.

Reflecting on a video about an initiative aiming to integrate swimming into the Black community, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to the realm of Classical Education.

I’m deeply invested in advocating for Classical Education because, like swimming, it was one of those fundamental necessities unjustly withheld from our community. I consider myself fortunate; my mother ensured that my brother and I didn’t face the same deprivation she did. From a young age, we received swimming lessons, eventually joining the swim team, with my brother even becoming a lifeguard. Presently, my own children are actively involved in the swim team, breaking the cycle of generational deficit. My husband shares a similar story, with his mother ensuring he gained access to swimming education. Together, we prioritize teaching our children to swim, making it an integral aspect of our family life. Our parents’ determination to provide us with opportunities despite societal barriers is a testament to their resilience in the face of racism.

Nevertheless, many children are not as fortunate, lacking the resources to access opportunities deliberately withheld from them by society. Classical Education mirrors this reality.

While some argue for the rejection of Classical Education due to its historical role in oppressing Black people and perpetuating a White supremacist narrative, a closer examination reveals a history of deliberate exclusion of Black individuals from Classical Education. This exclusion hindered their ability to navigate the challenges of being Black in America effectively. Contrary to being a tool of oppression, consistent engagement with the classical tradition offers a literacy that empowers us to embrace our heritage while equipping us with the language and literacy necessary for progress—an understanding our ancestors recognized and fought for.

The clash between advocates for industrial education, exemplified by Booker T. Washington, and proponents of Classical Education, like W.E.B. Du Bois, underscored the urgent need for educational access to empower non-White individuals as equal participants in democracy. This educational journey, exemplified by the Harlem Renaissance authors, fosters a narrative of empowerment, enabling us to celebrate our resilience as heroes and heroines.

While some, sought alternative educational paths to liberate themselves from the limitations imposed by traditional institutions, others found solace in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that embraced the classical tradition. These institutions nurtured leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Anna Julia Cooper, and Du Bois, who played pivotal roles in advancing civil rights and democracy.

The struggle for educational equality continues today, as evidenced by the challenges faced by figures like Anna Julia Cooper, who lost her job for advocating for a robust education for her community. The legacy of Jim Crow persists, reminding us of the unfinished fight for liberation and equality. The struggle to access America’s pools and education systems was an enduring, brutal, and formidable challenge. Even when Black individuals were finally permitted entry into pools, they faced hostility, with pool operators resorting to pouring chemicals on them as they swam. Similarly, during the era of slavery, Black people risked severe punishment, including loss of life or limb, if caught reading or doing any form of education (which was always classical). Following Emancipation, when education was no longer legally prohibited for Black individuals, teachers faced dismissal for imparting classical education. This relentless resistance instilled in us a reluctance towards the very skills crucial for our advancement. This persistent resistance birthed rejection in us for the very skills we needed to thrive. We must go back and get what our ancestors lost (Sankofa)!We must heed the call to reclaim the knowledge and skills historically denied to us, acknowledging that our journey towards authentic liberation requires a collective commitment to embrace the education of our ancestors.

In closing, the lessons of history compel us to confront the lingering vestiges of Jim Crow and strive towards a future where all individuals have access to the tools necessary for genuine liberation and equality. Just as learning to swim empowers us to navigate turbulent waters, embracing Classical Education equips us with the literacy and logic needed to chart our course towards a more just and equitable society.