On a brisk but sunny afternoon, about 25 people are gathered in a socially distant circle at the beginning of Stowe’s recreation path. It is October 31st, but the group is here to reflect on something much more unsettling than the usual goblins and ghouls of Halloween. The group is here to learn about racial inequality and how it is woven into our society’s fabric and subsequently into the communities of outdoor recreation. This workshop, entitled “Equity and the Outdoors,” was put on by Mirna Valerio. Mirna, aka “The Mirnavator,” is a teacher, an ultrarunner, a diversity practitioner, and a mother, just to name a few. On this day, she partnered with Stowe Trails Partnership and members of the greater Stowe community to provide a framework to help us start and sustain antiracism and social justice work.
Racial inequality and social justice issues are by no means a new phenomenon. These issues have been around since the inception of our country and have continued into the present day. The events happening in the past few months, including the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbury, and countless others, are testament to this. And while these may be more overt forms of racism with extreme consequences, racial inequality has percolated into virtually all parts of our lives- including the ways we recreate.
It is easy to recognize the value of outdoor recreation. Whether you bike, ski, hike, adaptive ride, or any other outdoor activity, the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits that come from spending time outdoors are clear. And while we can likely all agree on the value and benefits of these resources, the experience can be drastically different depending on the color of your skin.
While this event’s subject matter was nothing new for Mirna (she’s been a diversity educator for over 15 years), the format was the first of its kind. It consisted of riding along Stowe’s recreation path and stopping for discussions and activities along the way, often thinking about a given prompt while riding between meeting points. The program served to provide a framework for antiracism trajectories and is built on the premise of “if you know better, you do better.” The first step in fixing a problem is simply recognizing that the problem exists. Many social and racial injustices are ingrained in our everyday lives and behaviors. Some we may be aware of, others we may not.
A simple but profound policy was made clear by Mirna right from the start- there were to be no questions asked. Given the time constraint of the program, questions and debates would undoubtedly derail our progress, as they often do in workshops of this nature. There would be no arguing for the sake of arguing. This was a time to listen, wholly, with our minds and bodies to whoever was speaking. We utilized a technique called serial testimony, in which each person is given a set time to speak freely without interruption, questions, or feedback. Even without questions and debates, four hours was just barely enough time to get through the program.
The afternoon began with exercises on identity. We all have an identity through which we understand and relate to the world. This identity comprises numerous components, including our race, ethnicity, body type, socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, religious views, political views, educational background- the list goes on. These are all social groups that are part of the identity spectrum, and many of these things we are born into and do not have a say in. Being a part of these different social groups, whether we are aware of it or not, can serve as an advantage or disadvantage based on the values of our society. As a group, we reflected on what makes up our identities and how we benefit or are disadvantaged by those factors. We also reflected on the social groups that have historically been advantaged in the outdoor recreation community: those that are white, able-bodied, slim, and in the middle or upper class. On that note, the group mounted their bikes again and continued riding along the path to the next meeting point. As we rolled over bridges, we reflected on how we can be a bridge to the outdoors for someone who may be experiencing a barrier.
At our next stop, we discussed the different ways that racial inequality is manifested today. These include structural racism ingrained in housing, policing, the prison system, and in the workforce. We also reflected on racism at an individual level during one on one interactions. These include gaslighting (i.e., disregarding or invalidating) the experiences of BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) and microaggressions.
Imagine being an experienced runner and getting ready to run at a local trail network. You’re decked out in all of the latest gear and have got your hydration pack and trail runners ready to go. As you are getting ready to start at the trailhead, a man approaches you and asks if you are sure you’re in the right place. He asks you if you have enough water and asks why you are not wearing boots. As you look around, you see several other people at the trailhead wearing street clothes and are not being questioned. This is an example of a microaggression: a subtle, indirect, or unintentional act of discrimination. This scenario is based on an experience of Mirna’s that she recounted during the workshop.
Perhaps you did not have to imagine the previous scenario because you have already experienced something similar. Another example would be a comment like, “You’re pretty strong for a girl.” Microaggressions may not seem like a big deal to some, but the cumulative effect of being subjected to comments like these can be exhausting and lead to a sense of not being welcomed, not belonging, or being less than. These “unconscious signals of encoded superiority” serve to perpetuate the notion of racial inequality and that trails and mountains are only there to benefit people who look a certain way.
As we continued along the path, Mirna continued to drive home a key point that was repeated throughout the workshop: that intent does not matter. Your impact is what is important. If you say or do something offensive or act in ways that further social and racial inequality, it does not matter if that was not your intent. The result is still the same. Being able and willing to objectively look at your own behavior and the behavior of those around you, even if it makes you uncomfortable, is what Mirna called “critical humility.” Discomfort is okay, and it is a prime opportunity for learning and growth. Recognizing and being comfortable with all the facets of your identity plays a role in this, too.
Upon arrival at our last stop and with the end of the workshop approaching, we reflected on the different stages of antiracism. The group was asked to consider where they stood on the spectrum, which ranges from being “colorblind” and refusing to acknowledge racial and ethnic differences and, therefore, the inequalities associated with them, to being actively antiracist. Many of the participants identified as being somewhere between the two at a stage known as “immersion.” At this stage, a person acknowledges the advantages and disadvantages of their identity, educates themselves on racial inequalities, and begins to take steps towards being antiracist. There are numerous ways to take these steps. Some examples include voting on both a macro and local level, using your knowledge and privilege to speak up against racist acts, utilizing critical humility to hold yourself accountable, and joining or creating JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) task forces in your community organizations.
In a socially just society, all social identity groups can participate fully, and that includes outdoor recreation. Although our current society has a very long road ahead of us, this workshop exemplifies that Stowe is taking steps and doing work to make our community a more inclusive place. Stowe Trails Partnership recognizes the privilege and unique position that we hold, and we believe it is important that we use this platform not only to make our trails a more inclusive place, but our town as well. Partnering with Mirna for this workshop was part of an ongoing initiative of our JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) committee with the goal of continuing education for ourselves and the community on the topic of antiracism to make meaningful change. As members of this community, whether we know it or not, we all play a role in dismantling or perpetuating racial inequality. When you know better, you do better.