I have been in some sort of sports all my life. And making one a career. I see everyone as a colored person. Some are white in color. There is ample opportunity for anyone to go hiking any where in the world. there are inner city and country programs for kids. There is equipment available for their use. It all comes down to if a person wantS to do it. They will find a way. No matter what color they are.
It's difficult to know that you want something if you don't really know that it exists (or even if you do know that it exists but don't really know what it is or how it might relate to you). I think it's wonderful when individuals and/or organizations reach out to provide outdoor experiences to others. You never know how it may impact someone's life when you invite them to participate in an experience that they've never even imagined. Nature is a powerful teacher, but many have no awareness that nature could be a part of their lives.
There is plenty of programs already in place for people of any color to find the outdoors. Its what they chose to do or not do.
I a not missing the point. You are not getting it. There is plenty of simulation for a lot of things including the outdoors. The ones that want to go hiking they find a way.
The ones that want to go to college they find a way ,the ones that want to learn to ride a horse they find a way,the ones that want to be a baker they find a way.
And money has nothing to do with it.
buncha upper class whiteys talkin' about somethin' y'all know nothin' about
Oprah's takin' care of it.
Why does anything have to be done by those in the hiking community?? I grew up in the country, we hunted, fished, canoed, hiked and camped, it was part of my heritage. While those in an urban enviroment probably did not do much of those things. If you look close you would see a great disparity in people of color in most outdoor pursuits, hunting is another prime example. In my 60 years I have seen fewer than a dozen people of color canoeing in wilderness situations. Truth is nothing needs to be done, there are NO barriers that have been set up to keep anyone who is able from doing any of these things, it simply a matter of choice, plain and simple. There I contributed my rant for the entertainment of OP troll. IMO
"You have brains in your head/You have feet in your shoes/You can steer yourself in any direction you choose." - Dr. Seuss
Thank You 4Bears just what I was trying to say. You said it better. And Lone Wolf if you were referring to me as upper white class not knowing what they are talking. I am not upper white class and I have over 30 years working with not only at risk kids but adults to. So you don't know me or what I have done to help all colors of people. And or those of you that don't know the white class is the minority.
The real question goes beyond ethnicity and race as to why more people aren't hiking our nations trails. I do believe that the suppression that kept blacks down for generations does bear creedence in their lack of interest in experiencing the trail.
However ,from my interactions with co-workers,I see many people that are simply uninformed about hiking or even the rudimentary knowledge about our State or National forests and parks.
Getting lost is a way to find yourself.
I don't think anyone was implying that we need to force diversity on the trail. But I do believe most hikers are willing to share the wilderness with others, and it would benefit us all if more people understood the value of the wilderness. Most children of lower socio-economic groups of any ethnicity living in the inner-cities have no idea of what an experience in the wilderness could be. Expecting someone to want something they know abosultely nothing about makes little sense. The value of the wilderness gets instilled when people who know it to be true share this knowledge and wisdom and hopefully experience with those who don't know it to be true...I see nothing wrong with wanting more people to appreciate nature's gifts.