But there aren’t just “racial barriers” that prevent non-white people from stepping outside, McCann said, but also financial barriers. Only people with “economic privilege” can participate in outdoors activities
My university offered free rental of camping gear at the co-rec. Free sounds cheap enough to me.
... and understand “obscure outdoor lingo.”
He's a college student. They're supposed to read. He needs to complete Whelen's,
On Your Own In the Wilderness, then he'll be well on his way to understanding "obscure outdoor lingo." Heck, he'll even learn how to "bile the kittle."
Affirming that nature belongs to all humans, not just white ones... The “image” of the outdoor enthusiast should not “belong” to just white people
This will only change when he and those he identifies as non-whites venture in to the forest, regularly, en masse.
White people should “exert caution as to not dominate ownership” of the word “outdoorsy”.
How does he propose to get the population, writ large, to begin using a particular term only in ways that he finds acceptable? Do white people get to choose the words by which they're described?
Outdoor clubs on college campuses should work to increase accessibility and help people learn the skills they will need
See the book referenced above. Amazon does a great job of suggesting books similar to the ones being searched-for. The college library should have all one needs.
“Friendship can act as a portal to the wilderness for those who have historically been denied the privilege of comfort,” McCann concluded.
Tell me how sleeping on dirt, going without running water, pooping outside, etc., is "the privilege of comfort"?
As maddening as the whole thing is, it would be neat if someone took him up on it. Make their own op-ed, inviting him to go camping with them for a weekend. Would he accept? Or is he just looking to claim victim-of-the-week status?
Anyway, building a fire has an undeniable feeling of accomplishment. Campfire banter can be more effective than Sodium Pentothal. That kid better be careful - he might just get hooked. And he might have to rethink his position. Perish the thought.
FC
