african-americans access to public goods, like public pools. and in the years that followed, the public goods themselves garnered less investment. economist robert reich writes, since the 1970s, almost all the growth from the gains have gone to the top, but as the rich begin shifting to private institutions, they withdrew political support for public ones. in consequence, their marginal tax rates dropped, setting off a vicious cycle of diminishing revenues and deteriorating quality, spurring more flight from public institutions. jeff wolettes, who is the author of the book "contested waters: a social history of swimming pools in america" explains, when black americans gained equal access to municipal pools, white swimmers generally abandoned them for private pools, and cities downgraded the importance of public pools. 50 right after the civil rights act, the struggle is not just about getting access to the pool for some, it's about keeping the pool open for all. with me at the table, jahmell bowie, staff writer at state, cristina beltran, associate