Submitted by honeybeedreams t3_10cccpx in vermont
Hellrazor32 t1_j4g6e9z wrote
I’m cringing SO hard at these comments. If you really and truly feel like Black and POC people are given equal opportunities to exist outdoors, but are open to changing your mind, PLEASE check out Alexis Nikole Nelson aka The Black Forrager. She’s done lots of podcasts and interviews about the risks involved in being Black in the outdoors, and about the history of white people intentionally preventing POC from having access to natural resources in order to aid racial oppression. There’s another great podcast called Ologies that has an epic episode about Black bird watchers, who started on online community after a black man who was watching birds in a public park got the cops called on him by a white woman.
Do NOT tell me that white hikers on the AT haven’t refused to share a lean-to because a black camper was “sketchy” when really, he was just a regular dude who was black. I’ve seen it happen. Do NOT tell me that the 2nd whitest state in the country has never excluded POC from many activities, including outdoor ones, especially when I was standing right there when a white Vermonter said “I thought you guys didn’t like the cold” to my black friend while out snowshoeing.
Racism takes many forms. Passive aggressive exclusion is one of them. A lot of white people participate in this particular form of racism without even realizing it. Northern racism feels different from Southern racism, but is still very much alive and well. Believe black people when they say they’re not welcome. Advocate for them and prioritize their comfort. It’s a no-brainer.
Harmacc t1_j4h1ezj wrote
People just being angry that this article exists is a great example of some of the things you’re talking about. These same people most likely don’t consider themselves racist in the least. I suppose privilege is looking at all these topics through the lens of their/our own experiences rather than being empathetic and understanding of other lived experiences.
“Nobody bothers black people on the trail”
“These problems arent real”
“They said something about whiteness. This is offensive”
All great examples of whiteness. All great examples of how systemic racism is alive and well.
I pass as white. I see all these privileges. I’m quite sure I participate in all these problems in ways I can’t see. But to just laugh of lived experiences of marginalized people because we haven’t experienced them ourselves is quite awful.
LadyFenris13 t1_j4h8i7e wrote
I'm so glad someone else is cringing as much as I am at these comments. For people who live in a predominantly white state and never encounter POC outdoors folk, they think nothing of it. I've lived in the South for nearly four years and am a frequent hiker, and do you know how many times I've encountered a POC in the outdoors? Never. And with how racist some people are, I don't blame POC for being uncomfortable or afraid of being in these spaces. Even as a woman who sometimes hikes alone, I feel uncomfortable, so I can't imagine how bad it is for them. The outdoors is dominated by white men, and a lot of them are blind to their privilege outside-- they generally don't get harassed out on the trail. A lot of the people commenting are getting hung up on the affordability of hiking, when in reality it's a safety issue.
IndigoHG t1_j4i2eec wrote
Cringing so hard this is going to be my only comment.
Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_j4grizz wrote
I personally am not going to assume I know what makes strangers comfortable. When I see black people on the trail, I react as I would to anyone else, which is to say" Hello" as we're passing each other. Usually me going up, them on their way down. I think black people are as complicated as anyone else. Beyond basic decency, what makes one person comfortable may make another very uncomfortable. I'm not going to force a conversation w/ someone because of their race. Especially not in a place where most people go to relax. stuff like "prioritize their comfort" seems like empty virtue signalling.
Hellrazor32 t1_j4gwxir wrote
I think it’s safe to assume that prioritizing people’s comfort includes not calling police on POC who are in parks, using your white privilege to address racism if you see it happening rather than turning a blind eye, not leaving racist notes in trail books, giving excellent customer service to POC shopping in outdoor gear stores, and in general, not getting angry and defensive when hundreds of POC produce thoughtful content about the problems they face when being outdoors. The line of thinking that people’s comfort needs to be as involved as approaching them on a trail and saying “how can I, a White make you, a black, more comfortable today?” is obviously stupid and misses the point entirely.
Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_j4lbmx2 wrote
Calling police? What??? Calling police bc someone is hiking a trail would be certifiable. If you took my comment as defensive... IDK. People tire of lectures from young, rich white kids. Sorry.
Hellrazor32 t1_j4majqj wrote
Are you saying I’m a young, rich, white kid? I’m a 40 year old tradeswoman from a middle class family, and I have a high school education. Park Rangers are alerted to the presence of POC on trails pretty often, particularly black men because “they looked out of place” or other nonsense. The lecturing isn’t coming from me. It’s coming from non white people. Like, for example, the person who wrote the article that was posted. If you’re tired of hearing it, imagine how tired they are of living it.
Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_j4ntu0t wrote
I'm sure they are. I can't imagine non white people feel comfortable anywhere in VT.
Galadrond t1_j4h2lqb wrote
It only takes a handful of assholes to ruin things.
honeybeedreams OP t1_j4g7fsp wrote
right? really great article. mainstream group, website, blog… nah mash that downvote.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments