According to TMZ, Brandi Glanville, “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star, ran afoul on an episode of the show when a castmate said they couldn’t swim and she responded, You’re a black person!
Cullen Jones, 4-time Olympic medalist, headlines the Make a Splash Tour, the USA Swimming Foundation’s national initiative designed to educate parents, kids and communities about the importance of learning to swim.
Jones told TMZ:
“[Brandi’s comments] seem to be more of a cultural indictment rather than a true studying of the facts, but it is true minorities need more access to lessons!”
“It is unfortunate that race is still an issue associated with drowning in the United States, but in many communities due to lack of access to water, training and funds, minorities are still disproportionately at risk to drown.”
Jones handled the issue gracefully, and his PMG Sports manager of seven years, Evan Morgenstein, wasn’t surprised:
“I’m proud of Cullen. It would have been easy to jump into this political conversation in the abstract. Cullen through his relationship with USA swimming’s Make A Splash program and Phillips66 has learned the importance of providing facts. Our hope is to expand Cullen’s position as one of the most influential Americans in the drowning prevention / learn to swim space.”
Jones further explained to TMZ, “Drowning is preventable, we need to address the staggering numbers of unwanted deaths of our future Presidents, doctors, teachers and scientists.”
Class act.
Well said Cullen Jones