This blog entry may not sit well with some readers, it is honest and straight forward and to the point. I would like to start off by saying that it is not my intention to misguide or insult any individual, but rather state facts. I hold a Business Management degree with a concentration in Diversity Management, and have devoted a lot of time on the issue of diversity. The biggest issue with diversity in our country is the uncomfortable feeling people get when the issue comes up. I often say in my studies, the first rule in creating a diverse environment is not being afraid to talk about it. As always I’m open to opinions and welcome any feedback via email. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this entry.
Many people are aware that outdoor related activities are on the decline in America. Only 6 percent of eligible hunters actually hunt, fishing is on the decline for numerous reasons, and our technological age is keeping children indoors. These are all valid statements which can be proven through a number of credible sources. One topic that many people haven’t talked about is the lack of diversity in outdoor sports and activities. In the United States, every eight out of 10 people live in cities or towns with populations of 50,000 or more (U.S. Census Bureau). The restrictions on outdoor activities in urban areas have created problems for conservation efforts. While agencies do offer programs that encourage people to get outside, most don’t take advantage of these programs. Outdoor camping doesn’t fit some cultures standard of living. Often times people hear, “that’s not really camping” when a pop up camper pulls into the state park. There is a stereotype of what camping and hiking are, and it limits the lack of freedom associated with the outdoors. Another reason our lifestyle lacks diversity is media and advertising campaigns. There is a large percentage of outdoor retailers who focus on the attention of light skinned consumers rather than the entire community. “There are so many people who are shouting to be included and made to feel welcome in the outdoors. It’s something that’s truly frustrated me in the outdoors community—there’s an aesthetic of the way outdoor retailers advertise” says Ambreen Tariq of @brownpeoplecamping. We need to open our doors to all kinds of people in order to increase conservation efforts in our country. We need to be more open with how we manage our advertising and create positive experiences for everyone. Mattel had great success when they finally addressed the lack of diversity in their dolls. My best friend’s daughter is half Korean and I’ve heard the question come out more than once, “why isn’t their doll that looks like me?” Since then, Barbie has rolled out numerous diverse products and their sales of skyrocketed and the idea was met with applause, but there will always be backlash. In the outdoor world, we need to embrace the idea of backlash and take the leap. A product will gain more respect over time, it’s not going to happen overnight but it could change our industry. Darius Rucker accomplished this as a Black Country singer, Bari Musawwir is one of the only nonwhite monster truck drivers, and the list goes on.
Every industry needs to embrace the change, including ours. If this blog seemed like I was preaching I apologize now for the tone. Our outdoor lifestyle is at risk of negative changes. We need to find way to come together to make our hobbies more enjoyable for more people so that we can keep following the trail
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