Top 10 Melanin Base Camp Articles of 2019
Ring in the New Year with our top ten articles of 2019. We laughed, we cried, and we even called out a few folks. Three of the articles on this list were submitted by members of the community via our Around the Bonfire page. This platform is intended to amplify the voices of people of color in outdoor spaces. That means we want to hear from you! Article submissions are always open, so don’t forget to send it!
10. A Curly Haired Adventurer’s Guide to the Outdoors by Nadia Mercado
With over 2,400 views, this how-to guide for 3a through 4c curls drew inspiration from womxn across multiple sports—including climbing, mountain biking, skydiving and more—for their favorite protective styles, conditioners and hair accessories.
9. The Melanin Base Camp Guide to Outdoor Allyship by Danielle Williams
This is not a trap; just some things we think you should know before you announce your allyship to the group (hint: don’t do that). With over 3,000 views, this is the perfect holiday gift for friends and family.
8. Lions and Tigers and Black Folk, Oh My! Why Black People Should Take Up Space in the Outdoors by Joshua Walker
Guest blogger Joshua Walker schooled us on the history of anti-black racism in outdoor spaces, as a gentle reminder that when your friends and family call out your favorite outdoor activity for being “so white,” they’re referencing a long history of exclusion and discrimination (and they’re not wrong!). With 4,100 views, this article is a quick but painful reminder of why we don’t always feel safe in the outdoors.
7. Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag Gear Review by Nadia Mercado
At 5,500 views and counting, this air travel friendly review answers every question you didn’t realize you had about the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag. Thank you Nadia!
6. 7 Reasons Why Your Outdoor Friends Are Not Good Allies by Danielle Williams
This listicle reveals some unpopular truths about your friends who really want to be—and yet aren’t—good allies. It was viewed over 5,600 times in 2019.
5. 5 Reasons to Skydive (That Have Nothing to Do with Adrenaline) by Caroline Hsu
It’s not what you think; skydiving isn’t just for adrenaline junkies. 5,950 readers learned about a new reason for jumping out of a perfectly good plane. Not convinced? Just ask Caroline.
4. Stop Making Movies About White Guys Doing Cool Shit by Nanaheed Saatchi
In the first of two provocative articles, queer feminist, climber and Iranian thinker, Nanaheed Saatchi, makes the case for why the climbing industry’s myopic focus on a small handful of elite white male climbers—to the exclusion of everyone else—is hurting the community. This article was viewed over 8,500 times in 2019.
3. Stop Making Movies About White Guys Doing Cool Shit: The Sequel by Nanaheed Saatchi
In a fiery follow-up to Stop Making Movies About White Guys Doing Cool Shit, Nanaheed Saatchi once again came for our climbing idols. Why do only stories about elite white male climbers matter? Especially when the vast majority of climbers will never free solo, or free climb, or send an elite grade. What will it take to see more diverse films? Or for white male climbers to talk about the racial and socioeconomic privilege that make their achievements possible? What does it even look like for an athlete to acknowledge privilege? (For a great discussion about privilege by a black female mountaineer, check out our interview with Sophia Danenberg). We’re always excited to hear a good word from Nanaheed. Although it was just recently published, this article was viewed 9,500 times in 2019.
2. 5 Reasons Why You Should Keep Geotagging by Danielle Williams
Are you team #geotag or team #nogeotag? What about team #don’t-post-photos-of-sensitive-sites-on-social-media? Okay, that last one probably isn’t a hashtag. #ICYMI, check out the article below and see what the fuss is all about. In 2019, over 13,200 of you did.
1. The Miseducation of Leave No Trace - Policing Black and Brown Bodies in the Outdoors by Danielle Williams
What’s the right way to police brown people who are “doing nature wrong?” Hint: that is a trick question. Put down your badges, ladies and gentlemen. We don’t need any more LNT deputies. “But, but, but, what if?” The answer is still no. Thanks to all 13,300 of you who made this our most popular article in 2019.
Thanks for hanging out with us in 2019. We have a full line-up of articles this spring that we can’t wait to share with you. Happy New Year!
My goal is to erase the stigma of being an African-American who is afraid of camping, or hiking, or swimming, and to change the narrative that white folks have about what black people do or don't do.