Most of us agree that language matters, names matter. Agreeing on which ones best represent our communities is a different story; especially when the only constant seems to be change.
Read More
If there is one thing we’ve learned in the past few weeks, it’s that rapid social change is possible. Of course, would any of the recent social changes we’ve witnessed have been possible if George Floyd wasn’t murdered slowly by police while being recorded by multiple bystanders? That’s a hard question. Eight minutes and forty-six seconds is a long time, America.
Read More
Someone very boldly asked me “What is your story? What got you outdoors?” Having been asked that question before, I automatically launched into the short synopsis of my brief outdoor career… I continued on with this neatly packaged story of how I fell in love with the Outdoors in my mid twenties. For so long I absolutely believed this narrative to be true, but looking back I now realize that...I lied.
Read More
When I am out at the crag or ‘living my best life’ on a nice mountaintop I feel grateful for the opportunity to experience the world in such a beautiful way—but I also feel shame.
Read More
Have you ever found it difficult to talk to outdoor “friends” about certain issues? It's not a matter of distrust; the outdoor community is all about trusting total strangers with your life—even as you climb 80 feet off the ground. Yet, I can’t trust outdoor friends enough to be honest about my feelings on certain issues, such as sexual harassment, racial discrimination and inequality.
Read More
The others being ones where I have been afraid because I know I’ve done nothing to warrant the interaction that is taking place, but there is nothing I can do about it. Instances like the one I started this article with. They are not unique. I've interacted with far fewer bears, knowingly, than I have police officers. And I've gone looking for bears, of many sorts, often enough in my adventures.
Read More
Are you a Woman of Color who loves the Outdoors? Want to be featured in a video project that's all about your goals and accomplishments? Melanin Base Camp is teaming up with Brown Girls Climb on Project Diversify Outdoors to highlight the accomplishments of Women of Color in the Outdoors.
Read More