Posted on 11/18/2017 10:38:02 AM PST by Mr. Mojo
~ Student Malcolm McCann complained in a recent op-ed that outdoor clubs at at Claremont Colleges are "predominately white spaces."
~ The op-ed argues that white imperialism, as well as the fact that three prominent naturalist figures in U.S. history happen to be white, generate this pervasive racial exclusion.
In a recent op-ed for the school paper, a white Pitzer student frets that the colleges’ outdoor programs, though open to all students and well-funded, are “predominantly white spaces” that deny people of color “access to the outdoors.”
The op-ed, written by Malcolm McCann, a freshman at Pitzer College—one of the member institutions of the Claremont Colleges—calls out clubs like Pitzer Outdoor Adventure (POA) and On the Loose (OTL), among the most amply funded outdoor clubs at the Claremont Colleges, for being “predominately white spaces."
“Both clubs claim to be accessible: while trips are open to any student wanting to go, not everyone feels the same ease in entering the outdoors," McCann claims, saying, "This discomfort is unfortunately caused by existing racial boundaries."
The article contends that white imperialism, as well as the fact that three prominent naturalist figures in U.S. history happen to be white, generate this pervasive racial exclusion.
“Historically, white people in imperialist conquests have appropriated land as their own," McCann asserts. "North America rightfully belongs to indigenous communities, yet it has been taken away from them by force. Consequently, a false sense of ownership of nature permeates white America.”
“Similarly, the image of a modern outdoor enthusiasts is white, as is the historical image of a naturalist," he continues. "The great icons of nature—John Muir, Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau—are all white men. At present, most famous rock climbers are also disproportionately white."
McCann also takes the term “outdoorsy” as another expression of “whiteness” that excludes people of color from outdoor activities.
“This whiteness manifests in the term 'outdoorsy'—a descriptor for those who spend a significant time in the outdoors, who are equipped with the necessary gear, and who feel connected to nature,” he says. “The image of the 'outdoorsy individual' is an exclusive classification that gives white people the authority to venture into the outdoors freely, leaving people of color behind.”
McCann then points to financial barriers preventing students of color from spending time outdoors.
“Many National Parks are hundreds of miles from large cities. Consequently, only those with access to a vehicle and money for gas will be able to enjoy them” he explains. “Similarly, only students with economic privilege have the resources to attend summer programs that teach wilderness skills.”
He adds that the “emphasis on acquiring requisite skills … excludes low-income individuals.”
The Claremont Colleges’ outdoor clubs, however, are extremely well-funded, as McCann concedes, and students’ financial barriers usually are surmounted with the assistance of college funding. In addition to heavily subsidized transportation options for students making their own trips to the outdoors, Pomona College’s outdoor club sponsors several free or nearly-free trips a year, as well as loaning gear to any 5C student at no charge.
At Claremont McKenna College, the Outdoor Initiative organizes and funds several outdoor camping trips during holidays like Thanksgiving and Fall Break. At Pitzer College, the “Pitzer Outdoor Adventure” club of which McCann is a member began this school year with over $7,500 of funding.
McCann suggests several solutions to the inclusivity crisis he claims to identify in his article. Among these are affirming that “nature exists as a collective space owned by all by virtue of being human, not by virtue of being white,” having “more accessible, entry-level workshops and trips that do not require advanced technical skills,” and encouraging white people not to exert domination of the word “outdoorsy.”
McCann’s outcry against outdoor clubs and activities is not the first to come out of the Claremont Colleges—last year a speedo hike organized by the On the Loose outdoors club of the Claremont Colleges was cancelled over concerns of “body image” and “bro-iness.”
Interestingly, McCann is a white student, sporting hiking gear in his Facebook profile photo. When asked for further information, McCann asked to remain off the record, and did not address whether he is part of the problem he identifies.
***“Historically, white people in imperialist conquests have appropriated land as their own,” McCann asserts. “North America rightfully belongs to indigenous communities,***
There is quite a difference between “Possessory rights”, “Fee-simple rights” and “Squatter’s rights”.
Just wait until this scholar discovers that the entire nation was and is predominantly white from 1776 to 2017. Hence, many established (i.e. “before Obama”) institutions are predominantly white. Brace yourself, lad.
They turn them back? They don't sell them into slavery picking cotton? What lousy security! Get with the white supremacy program!
Let's see where this type of intellectual training leads...
"Would you like fries with that?"
I’ve seen more Chinese visiting our National Parks than black people. I did see one black family at Yellowstone several years ago, and a black man working in the park store.
So folk of color, step up, ain’t nobody stoppin ya.
The clubs must be polluted with blackness. Mediocrity is required in all endeavors to encourage the facade of equality
The stupid, it burns.
I feel sorry for all the people who work at The Onion. Their jobs can’t go on much longer because real life tops it.
I’m a dark skinned guy and I’m starting to get more into the outdoors, not one is stopping them get up and go lol.
Many many years ago from the Onion's "Man on the Street" comments about the War in the Middle East. "I just wish that one side was darker than the other so I would know who to cheer for".
Do you want to ruin the outdoors for us too?
Every city in America is already ruined because of coloreds.
"...what if they don’t want to..."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3605959/posts?page=19#19
Same as chicks and STEM degrees.
The op-ed, written by Malcolm McCann, a freshman at Pitzer College
Many years ago, I worked at a “youth center”, read juvenile prison. Our center was (and still is) in a very wooded area of the Ozarks. But the majority of our “guests” were from a big city, most of them, black. Usually the black kids pretty much dominated how the kids behaved. But then we took them camping. We set up tents in the woods. The black kids were afraid to leave their tents. The white kids from rural areas got their revenge, making animal sounds, scraping tree branches across the outside of the tents, etc. They were really afraid that we, the staff, were going to ditch them and leave them to the mercy of the coyotes, wolves and bears.
None of them attempted to escape during our camping trip.
This comes from a hatred for Whites. That person needs to be put in prison for life, and to enjoy the warm company of the many non-Whites who reside there.
hmmm...The New Zealand rugby team, “All Blacks” and the Japanese rugby team (both championship teams) the “Brave Blossoms” will be sorry to hear that...Not to mention all those Fijians, Samoans, and other South Pacific teams.
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