Rising Tide: How Black People Desegregated Beaches and Pools in South Florida

Crossing The Lane Lines

Naji Ali

September 17, 202130 min
Swimming

Rising Tide: How Black People Desegregated Beaches and Pools in South Florida

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Episode Notes

NOTE: Apologies for the brief audio distortion. From seaweed to lost beach balls, sun-seekers bump into all sorts of surprises swimming along Florida’s iconic beaches. For Black swimmers however, there’s a complex history floating off Florida’s coastline – one of segregation and violence, but also one of protest and resistance. Diving deep into Black Florida’s fight for the right to swim, we'll speak to award winning filmmaker Cathleen Dean about the segregated beaches and pools of South Florida, and their relationship with the Civil Rights movement and the quest of water access for all.