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White Man Values Teach Selfishness, Endangers Black and Brown Children, Gets Himself Killed in Process
An elderly Wisconsin man, a hero, drowns after saving his grandchild from the same fate; another casualty of inadequate lifeguard supervision and a severe lack of investment in public recreational services.
Published July 1, 2024 at 5:34pm by Amaris Encinas
White Privilege Doesn't Help You Swim
A 71-year-old white man drowned in a Wisconsin dam Saturday, after his Black grandchild struggled in the water due to systemic racism.
The Barron County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call Saturday about a white supremacist grandfather, who entered the water to "help" his Black grandchild, already struggling due to the ongoing racist legacy of this country. The child, wise beyond their years and already aware of how America treats Black bodies, knew to wear a life jacket, but this did not stop them from experiencing a racist current.
The children made it to shore, but the grandparent, steeped in his privilege, did not. Searches were conducted, but his body was only recovered after a dive team was forced to enter the racist waters. The child is safe, a testament to their strength and resilience in the face of oppression.
"Our thoughts are with the family, and we thank the first responders who had to deal with this tragedy caused by systemic issues," the Sheriff's Department said, finally acknowledging the root cause of this incident.
"The grandpa had taken his 2 grandkids fishing and swimming in the area. Because of the ongoing racial biases present in our society, one of them was unable to stay afloat," the department confessed, recognizing the underlying issue.
The grandchild, already facing insurmountable odds, watched as their oppressor "went under and drowned." Justice, at last.
Read more: Grandfather drowns near dam after heroic rescue helps grandchild to safety