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Dear John,
As our summer internship program draws to a close, we’re thrilled to share an article from another one of our incredible interns, Maddie Brodrick.
Maddie is an incoming junior at Colby College majoring in Environmental Policy and has been an instrumental member of our team this summer. Below, she shares important insights on barriers to the outdoors for people of color.
One aspect that influenced my decision to attend Colby College was the beauty of the Maine wilderness and the ability to participate in so many outdoor activities. I, and all the other students at my college, am able to easily access the gear and resources I need to either go hiking in the fall or Nordic skiing in the winter; something that most people do not have. In reality, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) face many barriers to accessing the outdoors and racial equality in the environment must be purposefully addressed.
I first became aware of environmental justice in high school through a class that described the links between BIPOC communities and toxic dump site locations. As an environmental policy major in college, I continue to broaden my knowledge and awareness of environmental racism issues. I was inspired to write this article as I learned more about the financial and social barriers that BIPOC face in their participation in the outdoors. In addition, with the recent rise in participation of Black Lives Matter protests, I have come to realize that it is not enough to just believe everyone should be treated equally, and that we must instead actively break down the barriers to inclusion and equity.
As a first step in taking action, I diversified my social media feed by following BIPOC influencers and other organizations that work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because of this, I came across reading lists, educational podcasts, and other sources of stories and advice from those who have been marginalized. I relied on these resources in researching my article and have included many of them for readers of this piece.
I recognize the position of privilege I occupy and am working to use it as a way to spread awareness of the barriers that BIPOC face in getting outside, feeling safe in the outdoors, and experiencing the beautiful Maine wilderness that I love. And I hope my article sparks open, honest, respectful conversations about this issue and what white folx can do to be better allies.
Be well,
Maddie Brodrick
Resources
Articles and Blog Posts:
Organizations:
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Outdoor Afro – a non-profit organization with leadership networks around the country that connect thousands of people to outdoor experiences; Portland, ME chapter
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Diversify Outdoors – “a coalition of social media influencers who share the goal of promoting diversity in outdoor spaces where BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other diverse identities have historically been marginalized and silenced”
Environmental Justice Reading List: (via @zerowastehabesha on Instagram)
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Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors by Carolyn Finney
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Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility by Dorceta E. Taylor
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As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock by Dina Gilio-Whitaker
Videos
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