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GroundquestMSA wrote:Another thread's comments about Missouri's racially exacerbated tensions remind me of a recent realization. As far as I can remember, I have seen all of one photo, or perhaps it was a video, by Stephen Brewer, of a black US caver. In most of the cave-rich areas in the eastern US, African-Americans or other Blacks are a very small minority, but their minority among the ranks of organized cavers seems to be even more dramatic. It may be that there are even well-known black cavers that I know only by name, and not appearance; I recognize the names of many cavers I've never seen. If my perceptions of the situation are accurate though, what do you think could be the reasons? I certainly don't feel that cavers or organized caving have done anything to intentionally hinder racial diversity, but I can't say exactly what has.
GroundquestMSA wrote:Another thread's comments about Missouri's racially exacerbated tensions remind me of a recent realization. As far as I can remember, I have seen all of one photo, or perhaps it was a video, by Stephen Brewer, of a black US caver. In most of the cave-rich areas in the eastern US, African-Americans or other Blacks are a very small minority, but their minority among the ranks of organized cavers seems to be even more dramatic. It may be that there are even well-known black cavers that I know only by name, and not appearance; I recognize the names of many cavers I've never seen. If my perceptions of the situation are accurate though, what do you think could be the reasons? I certainly don't feel that cavers or organized caving have done anything to intentionally hinder racial diversity, but I can't say exactly what has.
trogman wrote:One of the most prolific cave explorers ever known (in my opinion) was a black man named Stephen Douglas. But there again, like my friend from the grotto, he was actually mixed race.
Anonymous_Coward wrote:trogman wrote:One of the most prolific cave explorers ever known (in my opinion) was a black man named Stephen Douglas. But there again, like my friend from the grotto, he was actually mixed race.
I think you mean Stephen Bishop. Stephen Douglas was white and I'm not sure he ever went caving.
I think this is a valid point.LukeM wrote:Add being raised in an urban setting to that and you really don't have the opportunity to discover the outdoors.
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