U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) is leading a letter to FINA signed by 14 senators urging it to reverse its ban on caps designed for natural Black hair in competition.
The letter, posted this week, was sent to FINA president Husain Al-Musallam. It was also signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Alex Padilla (D-California), Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
From the letter:
The decision by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) evidences the implicit and explicit biases against Afro-textured or natural hair that are deeply ingrained in society at large, and now, as a result of this policy, in competitive swimming. This exclusionary barrier serves to primarily impact competitors of African descent in a sport in which Black people continue to be underrepresented.
The caps, most prominently the Soul Cap, are designed to accommodate more voluminous hair that can be difficult to fit under traditional swim caps, especially Afro-textured hair. FINA has banned them in competition, expressing concern that the way they conform to the shape of the head could have hydrodynamic ramifications. FINA has said it is since reviewing the decision, which did not levy any limitations on use of the caps in training purposes.
The senators’ letter, however, hits at the issue of inclusion and what FINA’s stance on the caps implicitly tells swimmers, particularly black and brown swimmers who already face barriers to entry in the sport. They cite numbers in the U.S. regarding lack of representation and the danger that lack of swimming access poses:
In its statement expressing its intent to ensure there are no barriers to swimming, FINA explained that it must ensure that “swimwear does not confer a competitive advantage” to swimmers. What this misses is that the ban on swim caps for natural hair is a barrier in and of itself that primarily disadvantages Black swimmers. For too long, Black people have had to conform to the societal and cultural norms in areas of life from which they have been excluded. It is time to recognize this history and make all spaces – including competitive swimming – inclusive.
As an international organization that sets the standards for swimming across the globe, FINA bears a special responsibility to ensure it serves all people and cultures. FINA has stated that it will review its decision to ban swim caps for natural hair and embark on initiatives to promote inclusivity. While we appreciate this commitment, FINA has the ability to reconsider its policy to ban swim caps for natural hair now.
Read the full letter here.