Ever See a Black Hiker Before?
Why not talk about the elephant in the room? This has to be the MOST funny video I have seen about African Americans and their experience while hiking in wild places. I wish it was totally fictional, but there is more truth here than you might imagine!
Thanks for sharing Marica Woods! — and great job Blair Underwood!
We have work to do!
Blair Underwood, Pacific Cinerama Dome
I have experienced nearly every scene in the clip, as a male, black hiker. When on a local hike I often ask, where are the brotha’s? The dark secret is that since I’ve seen so few brotha’s and sista’s on the trails that I probably would be frightened when seeing them on the trail. That makes me sad. This video clip summarizes so much.
I can so relate to this video! I’ve been hiking (and leading hikes for kids) in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area for the past 15 years and the reactions by folk in the video are typical of what I’ve often encountered. A favorite prank we do when encountering bikes coming towards us on the trail is to say loud enough for the first passing biker to hear, “Let this one go by but get ready to grab the next one…”. Mean, but so much fun!
Reyel — thanks for your comments — on point, but I doubt you would be frightened — but maybe intrigued to learn more?
Hey Bill — how are you? Your comment is HI-larious. But on a serious note, I am looking forward to the day when seeing black people camping, hiking, and biking in wild places is no big deal — it’s my life’s mission.
Take Care!
OMG! this is SO funny and true. I get the “you know that” when I refer to the plants and animals, too.
We’ve got to start a National Outdoor Recreation Day – hiking biking, fishing, bird-watching, somethings, where we all campaign and go out en masse.
I agree with you DNLee — and I would LOVE to help coordinate such an effort — and I know you MUST experience some of these issues as a scientist. Thanks for posting, as always!
I can “sooooooo” relate to this…lol!!! I’m not a “hiker” per se…but I am a very avid birdwatcher…so can indeed relate. I really get the “looks” when I’m the one who shows up as the bird hike leader…LOL. (But it tends to put folks at ease when they find out just how much I know about birds.)
hahahaaaaa, definitely made me laugh as ridiculous as it is. Well hey, Black hikers are rare. That’s just a reality. When the reality changes and ppl get used to seeing black hikers, then it will be a norm and reactions will change to the rare instances when Blacks are seen in this context. It’s just like seeing some white business man walk through the projects. Ppl are gonna stare anytime someone’s out of the context they’re used to being seen in. Just how life is. My half-white-half african friend visited the dad’s fam back in Ghana. Obviously she’s light-skinned. Ppl calling her white over there and the kids were scared of her. Granted this was a little village. But still. It’s just human nature to respond in shock or intrigue to seeing something you’re not used to seeing in a given context. We can certainly make fun of this reality, but there’s nothing odd about this reality.
Thanks for posting WordUp!
The spectacle of the black hiker experience in the video is more real than fiction. Just ask any person of color about how they become a curiosity in natural spaces when all they want to do is just be out and enjoy the surroundings.
I hope that this video can help people become more conscious of their behavior. Just because reactions are “explainable” doesn’t make them less intrusive, or rude and can actually deter some people of color from getting out more.
I don’t think using stereotypes, especially for the purpose of making fun of people, is helpful for getting people to think critically and challenge harmful, hurtful, or annoying stereotypes. It’s alienating and shame-inducing.
Really KatB? — please elaborate why you think this is true. I think satire is an excellent way to help shed light on uncomfortable topics, yet allow us to laugh at ourselves.
I wish the skit was a stereotype, but it is actually a culmination of real experiences. Every “Black Hiker” I know, including myself, has experienced some, if not all of these moments, just maybe not all in the same hike.
Yes, it IS shameful, but I challenge people to move past shame to understanding and acceptance.
I have received mixed reactions on my hikes so far. Sometimes my friends and I have gotten those “what are THEY doing here?” stares, while at others people would pass us without second thought.
Yes, and you are not alone! Thanks for chiming in!
When I saw this video for the first time, I actually laughed out loud and I was the only person in the room! Blair was the perfect actor to do this because he’s so damn cute – so why did that white woman run away then? (fool!) – actually, don’t answer that, we know why she ran! And, we know why all those white folk did what they did – stare, glare, ask for him to sign the guest book, want to take pictures with him, etc. – I’m only surprised the ranger didn’t ask him for his I.D. (ha! although that wouldn’t have been too far off either). Anyway, interesting comments posted. To me, this video is not “harmful, hurtful, or alienating” (as noted above); the satire is right on. Times are changing – pretty soon we’ll see all us black and brown people staring at whites wondering what they’re doing out there!
Spot on Dr. Nina: “Times are changing – pretty soon we’ll see all us black and brown people staring at whites wondering what they’re doing out there!”
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