Yeah, I really don’t think you’re making a strong case if your argument is built on an assumption like this. Little does the author know that I too feel this anxiety of not belonging on the trails because I’m not a regular hiker. Any time I go I have this “am I doing this right?” feeling. And anxiety brain likes to assume everyone around you is confident and judging you. But you can slap race onto this narrative and it gives the framing of having deeper social implications. The only real difference here (and it is a bit of privilege) is that when I have anxiety about this scenario, my race doesn’t come into play where if I were a POC, maybe I would attribute this feeling to my race.

The problem with looking everywhere for racial tensions is that you’ll see it everywhere. Even when the perception is incorrect. But if you questioned it at all, you’re a racist. Which is supposed to spook any well-meaning person from saying anything. No one wants to be called a racist, of course. But if we keep letting these narratives of the most subtle interpretations of racism flood the airwaves, it actually impedes the discussions of overt and nefarious racism happening in society. The population is just too fatigued from race talks to deal with it at that point.

I quoted this line because I think it captures something most white people often do not question. If you are white, you probably do not ever worry that your race makes you less welcome in outdoor environments and clubs/groups. The author is saying that POC on the other hand do not feel this intrinsic sense of belonging. And it’s not just the literal physical space of a hiking trail — it’s the community / group spaces like the GMC, like a subreddit for hiking and appreciation of the outdoors in Vermont. I can’t imagine something that screams “you don’t belong” more than being told your feelings and perspective are stupid and invalid, which is what a lot of other commenters are saying.