Sure thing! Let’s get started on rewriting the article with some intentional grammatical errors and a more informal tone.
Barton Springs Pool has always been a popular spot for folks from all over to chill out, swim, and do some yoga. It’s like the one thing that brings everyone together – a day by the pool. But back in the day, before 1962, only white people could take a dip in those waters.
Chris Schulman was curious about the history of segregation at Barton Springs, so he hit up ATXplained for some answers. “I’m really interested in how it all went down,” he said. Like many places in the South, Austin had these Jim Crow laws that kept people of color out of public places. Black residents were pushed over to East Austin where there weren’t many parks or pools to enjoy.
Fast forward to 1960, and things were still the same at Barton Springs. Graduating seniors from Austin High School were gearing up for their annual picnic, but this time, some Black students weren’t allowed to join because of segregation rules. Joan Means Khabele, one of the first Black students at Austin High, wasn’t having it. She and her classmates decided to fight back by starting a petition to let everyone join in on the fun.
The petition made its rounds, getting signatures from students, parents, and even other community members. The pressure was on, and soon, the City Council was getting calls left and right. Eventually, the principal caved and allowed all seniors to attend the picnic, but only the Black students were left out of the pool. Not cool. Joan and her crew weren’t having any of that, so they staged protests and swim-ins to make their voices heard. After two years of pushing back, the city finally changed its policy in July 1962, allowing anyone to swim at Barton Springs, regardless of race.
Now, you might be wondering, “Why is this all hush-hush?” Well, turns out, there aren’t many records of this whole integration thing. No city documents, no council votes, no newspaper articles. It’s like it all happened in secret. But hey, at least the city is starting to acknowledge this part of its past. The bathhouse at Barton Springs is set to be renamed after Khabele, who passed away in 2021. And a historical marker will be put up to remember the fight for integration at the pool.
So, yeah, maybe Barton Springs has a murky past, but it’s all about moving forward and recognizing the folks who made a difference. Joan’s family may not visit the pool much these days, but her legacy lives on. And hey, next time you take a dip at Barton Springs, remember the ones who fought for the right to swim there.
