N-word scrawled in chalk at base of climb near Fraser, CO

Let's say this really happened. I stand by my question, "What is the point of posting it?"

"To raise awareness"? Uh, no. In this day and age, where BLM dominates everyday news, how could one not be aware of racial issues?

Maybe it was just venting.  

The OP's post won't change anyone's behavior.

Do you think we should post on MP every time we see an example of racism?

Was it posted in hope that the perp would see it? Still wouldn't make them change their behavior, but might encourage further action due to the attention he is garnering.

Pretty sure this is my post limit, so wail away!

Keith Woodwrote:

Ridiculous. Of course a story like this can be true. Expressing skepticism that this particular story is true is a different matter altogether. I'm from the south and have seen deep racism there, but not only there. I've seen and heard racism elsewhere, almost anywhere. It is also prevalent outside the US as well as inside. But just because it could have happened doesn't mean it happened. I'm not going to check my brain at the door just because the subject is racism, and neither should you. Your automatic response to say what you did is equally problematic.

I never made any claim as to whether it was real or not. But, I choose to believe people at their word until it is clear they are lying or a troll. My response to the event , whether it is real or not, would be the same. I condemn that someone would write this at a crag or any public space. I condemn that writing this at a crag is not offensive, or no big deal, or that we should ignore it because it’s not as bad as actual racial violence.

If it is fake, then I absolutely condemn that too. That’d be just as bad as the original accusation. But it does not change my response to the real or hypothetical event. I’d be happy if it never happened, but that doesn’t change that the act would be reprehensible if it were to happen.

And yes, living in the South, this kind of thing does happen. I’ve never seen it written at a crag, but I sure have heard people say it at the crag. I just feel like our society has reached a point where not condemning such language is akin to accepting it, and that accepting bigoted thought and word is likely to allow truly racist actions to persist. I do not support censorship. People are free to write and say whatever they want without penalty, within safety/reason. Just don’t be surprised when other people tell them that they think they’re an ass.

I’ve surely hit my post limit for the day. So sorry if I don’t respond.

Irregardless of what happened or didn’t, racism isn’t acceptable in today’s climbing community.

FrankPSwrote: Let's say this really happened. I stand by my question, "What is the point of posting it?"

"To raise awareness"? Uh, no. In this day and age, where BLM dominates everyday news, how could one not be aware of racial issues?

Maybe it was just venting.  

The OP's post won't change anyone's behavior.

Do you think we should post on MP every time we see an example of racism?

Was it posted in hope that the perp would see it? Still wouldn't make them change their behavior, but might encourage further action due to the attention he is garnering.

Pretty sure this is my post limit, so wail away!

Yes, Frank, to raise awareness that the seemingly nice gals or bros right next to you at the crag could very well be a part of the problem. Many White Americans find it hard to believe racism is a thing.

And it might very well cause a change in behavior when the perp sees there is no support for his/her beliefs (your posts not withstanding).

Our community should have zero tolerance for racism and any example of it should be pointed out as wrong until we don't see it anymore.

Stop making excuses for something you simply wish would go away, because it makes you uncomfortable.

Have you ever thought of not posting one of your needlessly negative posts about something that doesn't really affect you in anyway?

FrankPSwrote:
"To raise awareness"? Uh, no. In this day and age, where BLM dominates everyday news, how could one not be aware of racial issues?

and from the other thread...

FrankPS · 15 mins ago · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

Ben Silver wrote:

This is trolling, right? Someone help me out here.

I'll help you out, Ben. There is not systemic racism in the USA. America is not a racist country.  I hope that helps.

Frank, your "awareness" is showing

FrankPSwrote: Let's say this really happened. I stand by my question, "What is the point of posting it?"

Really?

There is a blatantly obvious point in calling out/condemning racism.

Marco Cornacchionewrote: Irregardless....

This word also needs to be gone from our world.  :)

Dave K wrote: FACT: 83% of the responses in this thread are from triggered white dudes that are defending the use of the N-word.

How much more proof do we need?

This to me is more of a concern that someone writing racial slurs in chalk

Marco Cornacchionewrote: Irregardless of what happened or didn’t, racism isn’t acceptable in today’s climbing community.

Goodnight, folks. Have a nice weekend.

Regardless of who posted the topic, that it has drawn this much assholery attempting to discredit the subject and its messenger, only shows the depth of the racism problem on this forum through revealing the mettle of those trolling the topic itself. In trolling to discredit a stand up guy calling out blatant racism, you are only showing your own idiocy, and potentially bigotry.

Fer Krikey sake, show Marco and the topic of racism some respect.

I don’t know what happened or didn’t happen.  I only know I didn’t post about this.

Marco Cornacchionewrote: I don’t know what happened or didn’t happen.  I only know I didn’t post about this.

Says Marco account #2 created today.

What a Mess of Muck.

I have seen the photo, and it's exactly as Marco (the real Marco, the OP) described it. In my opinion, Marco did the right thing by sharing his experience, so more people see that this kind of thing happens in Colorado and in the climbing "community," and he also did the right thing by keeping the photo off the internet.

Mike Stephanwrote:

This word also needs to be gone from our world.  :)

great catch.  

school teacher?  Hm....

mountainhickwrote:

Says Marco account #2 created today.

What a Mess of Muck.

lol

Eric Marxwrote:

I believe your definition of “blatantly and cruelly” racist might be a little off. Is this like, Hitler levels of racism? Does this climber own slaves? Does he beat up black people with his rack of cams wherever he sees them?

Or could this just be some immature douche eliciting a reaction?

No one is here to argue the degree of how of racist this was. Whether it extremely racist or a little racist, it doesn't belong in our community. I think the goal here is for some other "immature douche" to see this and hopefully think twice about this hilarious "joke"

To Peter, Dougald, and Mountainhick, thanks so much for your support!  And thanks to all posters who simply say: This is awful! This is my first ever social media posting and, as many of my friends and colleagues would attest, I'm not always perfectly diplomatic when I'm upset.  I stand by my statement:  For whatever reason, it's wrong.  
I would like to respond to SinRopa, but I can't click your link and I don't know your name.  In the narrowest (where the short rock wall gets close to the road) part of the rough road that connects to the Waterboard road, I encountered a Sprinter with CA plates that very nicely backed up for me.  The passenger, who (using your words) was non-white, asked something like "anyone else behind you?"  I thought "probably climbers"  This was about 12:30 PM, so not exactly the AM described, but this is most likely the couple you spoke with.  wit
Also, I did not create a second account today with that posting--one is enough!!

T Legowrote:

For real. This forum begins to be a lot easier to navigate with a third of the posters blocked. It's almost as if they don't understand that it's not essential to post in every thread...

sounds exactly like what an entitled hobbyjogger would say. Spoooooky meanies! Ban them!

Whisk3rzz 1wrote:

sounds exactly like what an entitled hobbyjogger would say. Spoooooky meanies! Ban them!

I'll put my time against yours at any turkey trot or gobble wobble on the east coast boy, come at me

T Legowrote:
I'll put my time against yours at any turkey trot or gobble wobble on the east coast boy, come at me

lmao. how many times have you cracked 14:30? Give me a date and location! And if 5k isn't your forte I have a 2:28 trail 'thon on my resume as well so I'm flexible.