Institutional Racism In Outdoor Spaces
Seraph White
A week ago, George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis and Christian Cooper was threatened with police violence while birding in New York City. These incidents come on the heels of the murders of Breonna Taylor by the police, and Ahmaud Arbery while jogging, and a long history of police brutality and vigilante lynchings against Blacks and African Americans and other People of Color. Countless lives before them have also been threatened, harmed, or taken due to racism and bias against different races, ethnicities, and cultures. It must stop.
We all bore witness to the racist and mortal threat that Christian Cooper experienced while birding in New York City. This incident is indicative of the life-or-death consequences that can occur when our outdoor commons are appropriated by white privilege.
Cultural and institutional racism claims the outdoors as a “white space” and the Outdoors Empowered Network stands in solidarity with communities around the country and world for whom this form of white supremacy causes significant and lasting harm.
The Outdoors Empowered Network is composed of organizations from around the country striving to increase youth access to and enjoyment of the outdoors. We deeply believe in the potential for nature to bring health and wellbeing to young people and their families of all backgrounds and identities, but this can only happen when outdoor spaces are safe and outdoor leaders are sensitive to the realities of racism, inequity, and generational trauma.
All people should have equitable access to nature and the outdoors, but this requires actual safety, not just words and intentions. As long as the specter of racialized violence and hatred is present in outdoor common spaces, People of Color will not have equitable access or equitable experiences. Outdoors Empowered Network is committed to leading the culture change required to break down these barriers and dismantle the systems perpetuating untenable inequities and violence.
OEN Advisory Council, Board of Directors, and Staff
Appalachian Mountain Club
Bay Area Wilderness Training
Detroit Outdoors
Forest Preserves Of Cook County
Get Outdoors Leadville!
The Mountaineers