The great outdoors is free for everyone so why does it feel inaccessible for so many?
I think we can all agree that these are outdoor activities.
And the outdoor industry is not immune.
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Black people are the most underrepresented group in these outdoor spaces.
“Of course, they have a diversity issue as well, specifically within their leadership.
It’s fairlyhomogenous and white-centric, while being rooted in white culture and white supremacy.
The industry needs to do a better job at creating representation in the entire process.
We don’t want to just be in front of the camera to be tokenized.
It’s always through the context of whiteness.”
It’s also important for people from dominant groups to see what’s possible for people whodon’tlook like them.
The outdoor industry hasn’t previously been open to discussions about the need for more inclusion, says Kaisiama.
Finally, the people I had been writing to and trying to work with got back to me."
Lack of Accessibility
Another big barrier to more diversity in the outdoor space is accessibility.
And even now, as an adult, she finds the industry very elitist and exclusive.
However, accessibility goes far beyond just financial resources and geographic location.
“Even just finding a winter coat is challenging,” says Chillous.
“They often don’t go to 3x, 4x, 5x.
Or even for an activity like snowshoeing, all the technical gear has weight limits.”
Kasiama founded Colour the Trails for this very reason.
She wanted to create a safe space for BIPOC who were interested in outdoor activities.
The outdoors can feel overwhelming and intimidating, especially if individuals are interested in trying something new.
Check out her course onAnti-Racism for Wellness Professionalsto learn more.
