The popular media outlet NBC recently faced significant backlash after reviving a June essay written by reporter Char Adams on the topic of black people needing “safe spaces” to enjoy outdoor activities. Here’s the whole story.
Safe Spaces
The article focused on black-led outdoor groups aiming to provide spaces where black individuals can partake in outdoor activities without fear of harassment or racial trauma.
While the intention may have been to address historical racism and create inclusive spaces, critics argue that the approach of racially segregated “safe spaces” is problematic and divisive.
The essay highlighted several outdoor groups founded to combat African Americans’ historical racial discrimination during the Jim Crow Era, which barred them from accessing National Parks and other outdoor spaces.
Smashing Stereotypes
Additionally, Adams sought to dispel the stereotype that black people do not enjoy outdoor activities.
However, the suggestion of creating racially segregated “safe spaces” ignited controversy.
Critics argued that promoting racially segregated spaces perpetuates division rather than fostering unity and inclusion.
The idea of avoiding outdoor activities for fear of encountering white individuals with political affiliations like “Trump flags” was met with skepticism and accusations of race-baiting.
The Outdoors Labelled Racist?
Instead of promoting diversity and breaking down barriers, some perceived the article as reinforcing racial divisions and implying that black people are inherently fragile and unable to navigate outdoor spaces without special treatment.
Defense attorney Marina Medvin humorously remarked that the outdoors was now being labeled as “racist.” At the same time, radio host Jason Rant dismissed the article as a parody rather than credible news reporting.
Professor Wilfred Reilly criticized the article as an example of “upper-class left-wing neuroticism and fake race/gender grievance” from the media.
No Need for Racially Segregated Spaces
NewsNation reporter Zaid Jilani also chimed in, saying, “‘Does a week go by without an article from a once-reputable news organization suggesting minorities live in an endless M. Night Shyamalan movie where our entire lives are spent hiding from this or that?'”
Many article critics emphasized that black individuals, like people of all races, have been enjoying outdoor activities for centuries without needing racially segregated spaces.
Hike, Fish, Hunt, Picnic, Swim
Several social media users expressed their thoughts on the article.
One Twitter user wrote, “They are not so weak and oppressed that they can’t hike, fish, hunt, picnic, swim, etc… without feeling unsafe. Black people do not need safe places to enjoy the outdoors! What a race-baiting asinine idea!'”
Another user added, “It takes a special breed of stupid to be traumatized by being outdoors. And it takes an even special breed of stupid to make something racist out of it.”
The post Racially Segregating the Great Outdoors: Black-Led Safe Spaces To Hike, Picnic and Swim Called “Race-Baiting Asinine Idea!” first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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Source: Daily Mail