Does racism exist in climbing?

Anonymous wrote:

Have you personally seen this happening?

Yes. This past summer I worked at a Jewish summer camp and got an opportunity to see the hate mail they recieve. I also remember a few weeks ago hear about somebody who shot up a synagogue.

I don’t think climbers are racist. As everyone else has said climbers are people, so of course there’s bound to be a couple. I’ve found that the climbing community is for the most part one of the most welcoming and inclusive communities for all races, genders, etc.

I’m a black guy from Florida who’s 6’5. Yeah, I get some funny looks sometimes at the crag, but everyone is always super friendly. I’ve found that finding a climbing group can sometimes be a little more awkward just because we don’t have a lot in common besides climbing. That’s more of a cultural thing though. Climbers for the most part are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life!

Ehh not really. My gym has a good population of anti-white SJWs but for the most part everyone's chill.

Weird, haven't seen any other races reply. I'm Hispanic (as my name would imply) and have never experienced racism while climbing. I've seen it more at work (in large engineering companies) which actually have policies against racism, but still happens. Whatever, other people's opinions don't affect my mood. Majority of my climbing partners are white, I probably have like 2 or 3 Hispanic climbing partners. Most of other Hispanics look at me weird when I say I'm going climbing. Again, whatever. Racism exists everywhere. Can't avoid it.

Jaren Watson wrote: I don’t know if racism exists in climbing or not, but I for one wouldn’t climb with an Asian. Asians tend to be lean and fit, which puts me at an unfair disadvantage.

Nor would I climb with a black climber. Black people tend to be super strong and athletic, which leaves me at an unfair disadvantage.

I definitely wouldn’t tie in with a Latino. Those gals and guys tend to have the ability to give 100% far too often. This, too, would leave me at an unfair disadvantage.

I could, perhaps, overlook the above as long as the person was cool. As a clumsy, chubby fellow only willing to give half-efforts, I’d be willing to suppress my judgments about entire groups, you know, if the person was cool.

But I’ll be damned if I ever climb with a Native American. I lost my hair years ago, so their miraculously beautiful hair is an affront to my very existence.

Jaren, let's go climb at CoR! You said you wouldn't climb with a Latino, good think im Mexican. We can have one of these after topping out.

I'm as Anti-SJW as you can get. But climbing is White Privilege exemplified.
I am now empty nest, and I definitely have it in my plans to contact Big Brothers or whomever and start bringing urban kids out. 

Brother Numsie wrote: I'm as Anti-SJW as you can get. But climbing is White Privilege exemplified.
I am now empty nest, and I definitely have it in my plans to contact Big Brothers or whomever and start bringing urban kids out. 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.snewsnet.com/.amp/news/kevin-jorgeson-wants-to-teach-1-millions-kids-to-climb

Kevin Jorgeson just got this started.

bkozak wrote:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.snewsnet.com/.amp/news/kevin-jorgeson-wants-to-teach-1-millions-kids-to-climb

Kevin Jorgeson just got this started.

Uh, that headline kind of screams impact nightmare unless he's talking about gyms.

"Climbers" is a generalized group, it's like saying consumers. When casting such a wide (generalized) net you are bound to catch all types of fish (people). Lets try this, "Are US consumers racist?" We could debate purchasing habits for a lifetime and come to the same conclusion. Racism is everywhere, but not everyone is racist.
If we are looking at climbers as a group possibly having a strong racist presence, then we would have to make the assumption that climber are racist based on majority. I don't see that as being so, and that makes the claim unfounded. 

BrotBrother Numsie wrote:
I'm as Anti-SJW as you can get. But climbing is White Privilege exemplified.

This is essentially why the Winter Olympics are sometimes referred to as the “white olympics”. Sure, there’s nothing genetic to make whites dominate downhill skiing, but skiing often enough to become nationally (let alone internationally) competitive does take a lot of money, and in the places with good skiing, there’s a strong racial correlation to socioeconomic status.

And this is the solution in a nutshell.

For what it’s worth (which is not much, I admit), racism is driven by ignorance and inexperience. The more time kids (specifically) spend around folks that contradict the stereotype, the less likely they are to believe the stereotype. Most of the racists I know spent very little time in their youth around the folks they now hate.

Jaren Watson wrote:

I sincerely apologize. I did not mean to exclude you from the groups of people I wouldn’t climb with. I totally wouldn’t climb with a Mexican!

Except for you, if you’re cool. Seriously, I’d love to climb at the City with you sometime!

Yea, almost hurt my feelings there

It's kinda funny how there are almost no black climbers out there. My gym is predominantly East Asian and Indian, and I think I've seen a black guy there once. I've never seen any evidence of discrimination or shit that would limit black people from joining the sport, but I'm curious why so many less of them are interested in climbing. 

Wow, a lot of really well written and thoughtful posts in this thread, especially the OP.

Thanks for all the input. I suspected not that many climbers on the receiving end of racist behaviors are reading this post ... One is indeed a victim of anti semitism. I’ll share another one of my personal experiences.                                       Imagine if you’re a minority and your white friends ( some are climbers, some are outdoor activities partners for many years) force you to “enjoy” racist jokes and memes by keep sending them to you on Facebook messenger group message, when I protested (in a very subtle and polite manner), they either ignore me, stay silent or left the group. The group consists of just a few of ( used to be) very close outdoor friends who hike , climb and Canyoneer among other activities.  I still consider them good people, and not racists at heart, just not very aware of (or have no clue) what others feel as a minority. 

Rico Tan wrote: Thanks for all the input. I suspected not that many climbers on the receiving end of racist behaviors are reading this post ... One is indeed a victim of anti semitism. I’ll share another one of my personal experiences.                                       Imagine if you’re a minority and your white friends ( some are climbers, some are outdoor activities partners for many years) force you to “enjoy” racist jokes and memes by keep sending them to you on Facebook messenger group message, when I protested (in a very subtle and polite manner), they either ignore me, stay silent or left the group. The group consists of just a few of ( used to be) very close outdoor friends who hike , climb and Canyoneer among other activities.  I still consider them good people, and not racists at heart, just not very aware of (or have no clue) what others feel as a minority. 

These "friends" of yours don't get it, but as with almost everything - if you don't live it, you don't get it.  The group in power (white people) won't understand what most of the non-whites experience on the day-to-day, and need to really try to understand/listen/be empathetic to help correct a lot of the racial-related funk.  This effort must be extremely conscious to be effective (and it rarely is either, unfortunately.)  This is how it's always been, and likely always will be.  This isn't unique to climbing, however, so your title isn't really appropriate.

In addition - your point that me cracking a joke about you climbing wet sandstone way back when, and my motivation is that you're not white...holy crap what a crock.  You damage any good question or point your posing with that sort of nonsense.  Don't do that, because dealing with actual racism is a very important subject and very worthy of good discussion.  My experience is that most people are idiots when it comes to subjects of racism and race-relations, and that definitely isn't unique to whites.  That's one universal thing across all races - there are plenty of morons.

Ocalslay Onlyyay wrote:

These "friends" of yours don't get it, but as with almost everything - if you don't live it, you don't get it.  The group in power (white people) won't understand what most of the non-whites experience on the day-to-day, and need to really try to understand/listen/be empathetic to help correct a lot of the racial-related funk.  This effort must be extremely conscious to be effective (and it rarely is either, unfortunately.)  This is how it's always been, and likely always will be.  This isn't unique to climbing, however, so your title isn't really appropriate.

In addition - your point that me cracking a joke about you climbing wet sandstone way back when, and my motivation is that you're not white...holy crap what a crock.  You damage any good question or point your posing with that sort of nonsense.  Don't do that, because dealing with actual racism is a very important subject and very worthy of good discussion.  My experience is that most people are idiots when it comes to subjects of racism and race-relations, and that definitely isn't unique to whites.  That's one universal thing across all races - there are plenty of morons.

This is the first time I see you writing anything that’s semi relevant to the discussion ( even though still with slandering mixed in) .     But do you mean to say I’m not allowed to discuss my personal experience with racism I encountered in climbing because I’m an “idiot “?  The topic is not worth talking about to you ? I already said I’m just trying to find out the experience from others, especially those who encountered it , if you don’t care for this topic , you don’t have to read or respond to it . You wrote a whole lot of words just to troll me with my none existent event that you’re convinced of happened, that you’re obessed about three years ago?   Good job.   You must live a very good life to have so much free time on your hands. 

Jacob Kantor wrote: It's kinda funny how there are almost no black climbers out there. My gym is predominantly East Asian and Indian, and I think I've seen a black guy there once. I've never seen any evidence of discrimination or shit that would limit black people from joining the sport, but I'm curious why so many less of them are interested in climbing. 

http://colorthecrag.com

Rico Tan wrote:

This is the first time I see you writing anything that’s semi relevant to the discussion ( even though still with slandering mixed in) .     But do you mean to say I’m not allowed to discuss my personal experience with racism I encountered in climbing because I’m an “idiot “?  The topic is not worth talking about to you ? I already said I’m just trying to find out the experience from others, especially those who encountered it , if you don’t care for this topic , you don’t have to read or respond to it . You wrote a whole lot of words just to troll me with my none existent event that you’re convinced of happened, that you’re obessed about three years ago?   Good job.   You must live a very good life to have so much free time on your hands. 

Please take your time and read what I actually wrote.

Ocalslay Onlyyay wrote:

Please take your time and read what I actually wrote.

I’m surprised “Tim Stitch” hasn’t chimed in yet . I guess pretty soon though..

I have never experienced or seen racism in climbing. Is that what you wanted to know Rico? 

Brother Numsie wrote:

Uh, that headline kind of screams impact nightmare unless he's talking about gyms.

It is for gyms.  If you read the article, he started up a program where they're building small climbing walls at Boys and Girls Clubs of America locations that are in close proximity to another full size climbing gym.  This gives the kids a chance to try it at the club for free and then possibly transition to a larger gym if they take a liking to climbing.  Pretty cool if you ask me.  We have a small climbing wall at our local rec center, which is basically the same idea.