'The Black Line' Documentary To Educate History Of Blacks And Swimming
Simone Manuel reacts at the Women's 100m Freestyle Heats of the Swimming events during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 10 August 2016. (Photo: Michael Kappeler/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
Everyone knew that American swimmer Simone Manuel made history with her record-setting, barrier-breaking victory at this year's Summer Olympics. But a new documentary will aim to show the significance clearer than ever.
The Black Line, a new documentary by Emmy-nominated producer Stan Jakubowicz, shows the history behind segregated pools for blacks and whites in the United States, while also digging into the rich culture of blacks and water in the Caribbean. According to The Undefeated, the film features three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, U.S. women's swimming coach Dave Marsh and a 16-year-old black swimming phenom named Reece Whitley.
This year's Summer Olympics have been the stage for black American woman Simone Manuel. With her victory in the 100-meter freestyle, she became the first African-American woman ever to win an individual swimming medal in the Olympics. She also finished with a time of 52:70, a new American record. She shared the medal and the record with Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak.
After Manuel's victory, she acknowledged its significance in the context of racially-charged issues in the United States.
“It means a lot, especially with what is going on in the world today, some of the issues of police brutality,” Manuel said. “This win hopefully brings hope and change to some of the issues that are going on. My color just comes with the territory.”
The Black Line doesn't have a release date yet, but visit https://www.theblacklinemovie.com/ for updates.
