Hello dear Mappy Hour Community,
I wanted to start by saying: Black Lives Matter.
And while this post will be addressing macro events happening in the country, it is ultimately also about our shared love for the outdoors, our belief that the outdoors are for all, and the community we are building together. We believe each of us should be able to go birding without being harassed, and running without being murdered.
I wanted to share a post that didn’t just reflect where we as an organization are right now, but also where we’re moving in the future. And though that exact vision will always be evolving, the last two weeks of examination, discussion and deep thought have helped us start to map the course.
SHORT TERM:
- Stand in Solidarity through our communications channels digitally and physically at protest
- Share and elevate Black voices through our blog, newsletter and social media channels
- Launch a Giving Circle to provide a space to learn, discuss and give
- Provide resources for long-term allyship, support, and learning (to start: scroll down to the RESOURCES section of this blog post)
LONG TERM:
- Continue to question the status quo and address bias and white privilege in the outdoors space in ourselves as individuals, a community, and an industry by:
- Challenging the exclusionary definitions of “the outdoors” and “outdoorsy” that have been perpetuated by the outdoor industry for … forever
- Re-thinking the programs and message we share through the lens of racial justice
- Continue Giving Circles, or similar programing to activate our amazing members to participate at another level
- Continue elevating Black voices, organizations, and art with consistency
- Support training and recruiting our members as mentors for local youth through STOKED Mentoring
So what’s next? Tomorrow night, I invite you all to join a free webinar about the Giving Circle program, why we’re doing it, and how you can join.
I also encourage those of you who are newer to allyship to take some time to review the below resources. And all are invited to email us other resources that should be added (mappyhour@outdoorfest.com). I am reading, learning and processing my complicity as a white woman right now as well and am happy to hop on a phone call or set up a group discussion for all who want to dive in or have questions. I also recommend checking out this twitter thread to think through immediate v. long term (systemic) actions.
Sincerely,
Sarah Knapp
Mappy Hour Founder
RESOURCES
The Brown Girls Climb Team has created three different resource guides for climbers (though much of it can be applied throughout the outdoor world!) on their instagram channel – check them out:
- Resource Guide for White Climbers
- Resource Guide for Non-Black Climbers
- Resource Guide for Black Climbers
Montana’s Earthtone Outside has created an Anti-Racism/Oppression Resource List
Read this piece by Soul River Inc Founder Chad Brown on the outdoors and the killing of George Floyd
Get Social!
Field Mag curated a list of 80 BIPOC Outdoor Instagram Accounts To Follow Right Now – get going!
