MyE28.com

I heard the audio from the Good Morning America piece on a podcast just now and tried to find the video, but could only find this story on ABC's website which paraphrases much of the video. Essentially the video followed a story about the First Family visiting The Grand Canyon. Interestingly, they had to ask a Park Ranger at Yosemite to offer the commentary, as I guess one at The Grand Canyon couldn't be found. :Dunno:

I, for one, cannot believe the reasoning given as to why African-Americans do not go to National Parks. I've been to a few myself and I just don't get it (the reasoning - I understand the National Park, and even to a degree, the pricing). I can't say I've ever spoken to anyone who was afraid of a National Park. I don't understand why seeing something so breathtakingly-beautiful can make someone think of slavery.

Sure, I know I didn't grow up in a family where that was part of the history, but I can't imagine someone saying, "Wow. This gorgeous canyon makes me think of (enter hardship here).

Then to say that Snoop Dog or Oprah going to a National Park is going to get African-Americans excited about seeing the National Parks. Well, all I can do is .

I hope no one takes offense to this, as it's not intended like that. I just think it's a BS excuse. Was there a survey handed out that had choices as to why people don't go to the National Parks?

For instance:
I imagine that if KingCast were here, he'd go crazy with this thread. I just don't understand how this is even a rational explanation. It's short-sighted to say that only "white people" vacation at the National Parks (that was in the video, but not in the article). I've never really seen any marketing for the National Parks at all.

oh...is that why they don't ski either?

My angle on this:

I think we can all agree there are less black people in America than white people.

Census data shows that in 2004 only 35% of black children lived in a two parent home while 65% of white children lived in a two parent home.

Since most of the time a trip to a national park is a family outing or vacation, there is reason to think that less black people would be in parks.

I'll bet if you took a busload of inner-city youths to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, the last think they would ever think about would be slavery. Unless, of course, you told them they should.

I heard that last week too, and couldn't help but thing it's a bunch of

Also made me wonder what kind of questionnaire led to that kind of conclusion.

Johnson, 51, said he would like that to change, but he believes the disconnect between blacks and nature has deep roots. Slavery, he said, forever altered how African Americans view natural lands.

"There's actual pain, physical and spiritual pain, tied to working the earth," Johnson said. "There's just been this gradual loss of connection with the natural world."

The implication then is that the white people who didn't have slaves didn't have to "work the earth" to eat.

Found this in my white Bible;

Gen 3:17 Then he said to the man... The ground is cursed because of you. Through hard work you will eat food that comes from it every day of your life.

This shit never ends.

swatterssr wrote:

Johnson, 51, said he would like that to change, but he believes the disconnect between blacks and nature has deep roots. Slavery, he said, forever altered how African Americans view natural lands.

"There's actual pain, physical and spiritual pain, tied to working the earth," Johnson said. "There's just been this gradual loss of connection with the natural world."

The implication then is that the white people who didn't have slaves didn't have to "work the earth" to eat.

Found this in my white Bible;

Gen 3:17 Then he said to the man... The ground is cursed because of you. Through hard work you will eat food that comes from it every day of your life.

You may want to give deeper thought to your responses before proclaiming your faith and I'm sure there might be just a little teeny weeny bit of difference between the thought process of a person who was whipped and beaten into "working the earth" and a person who chooses to do so voluntarily. I agree that the rangers explanations are singular and factless (BS).

JeepJockey wrote:My angle on this:

I think we can all agree there are less black people in America than white people.

Census data shows that in 2004 only 35% of black children lived in a two parent home while 65% of white children lived in a two parent home.

Since most of the time a trip to a national park is a family outing or vacation, there is reason to think that less black people would be in parks.

Bingo!! Well and accurately said.

Follow up these facts with a thought regarding which parent usually initiates family trips involving the outdoors and you have your answer.

under the radar wrote:oh...is that why they don't ski either?

Whom are the "they" you are referring? I don't, but have many friends who do. In fact one of my closest friends (he's different) , along with a few other couples has an annual ski trip in Mammoth. The limited numbers in participation has a lot to do with the facts presented.

2ndeagle wrote: I'm sure there might be just a little teeny weeny bit of difference between the thought process of a person who was whipped and beaten into "working the earth" and a person who chooses to do so voluntarily.

I thought this generation had died many years ago.
Wasn't slavery abolished in 1865?

2ndeagle wrote: I agree that the rangers explanations are singular and factless (BS).

My point exactly.

2ndeagle wrote:

under the radar wrote:oh...is that why they don't ski either?

Whom are the "they" you are referring? I don't, but have many friends who do. In fact one of my closest friends (he's different) , along with a few other couples has an annual ski trip in Mammoth. The limited numbers in participation has a lot to do with the facts presented.

i was just making a wise crack...you know, the old generalization that black people don't ski. but i was poking fun at the stupid notion, that black people are somehow incapable of enjoying national parks.

under the radar wrote:

2ndeagle wrote:

under the radar wrote:oh...is that why they don't ski either?

Whom are the "they" you are referring? I don't, but have many friends who do. In fact one of my closest friends (he's different) , along with a few other couples has an annual ski trip in Mammoth. The limited numbers in participation has a lot to do with the facts presented.

i was just making a wise crack...you know, the old generalization that black people don't ski. but i was poking fun at the stupid notion, that black people are somehow incapable of enjoying national parks.

swatterssr wrote:

2ndeagle wrote: I'm sure there might be just a little teeny weeny bit of difference between the thought process of a person who was whipped and beaten into "working the earth" and a person who chooses to do so voluntarily.

I thought this generation had died many years ago.
Wasn't slavery abolished in 1865?

Using the era as an excuse for todays trials and tribulations is more often than not over used and out of context, IMO. (This Ranger's analysis is a perfect example). However, entirely overlooking or wearing blinders that the effects of that era aren't still prevelant is an absurdity.

Slavery was abolished in 1865, yet a black man wasn't allowed to share the same bar stool, restroom or access to education until the 1960's. Putting that time frame into perspective gives you an idea of how long it takes for the effects,ideals and ignorance of racism to diminish. No bailouts, programs or directions were put inplace to help resolve the effects, just the abolishment of the practice. Abolishment of slavery is an act. The acceptance of equality is the action that moves society forward. 100 years for the semblance of acceptance after 200 years of persecution, stripping of family ties, torture and inbreading.
Please don't respond quickly or defensively, it is not my intent to place blame on anyone from my perspective. Just give it some real thought and place yourself in someone else's shoes. Imagine your life and that of your family, if you had no way of protecting them from rape and beatings. If your family was taken from you and seperated. If you were 'physically' punished for your religious beliefs. Imagine not being able to trace your family lineage past the early 1900's or late 1800's. Constant questions of self-doubt and lack of identity prevail. No other group of people has ever endured such harsh cruelties over an extended period of time.
For better "understanding" of the degree of intent for complete psychological control investigate it for yourself. Google "Willie Lynch Letter", or if you really want "understanding" of the effects, read the books. Amazon has them fairly priced.

2ndeagle wrote:

swatterssr wrote:

2ndeagle wrote: I'm sure there might be just a little teeny weeny bit of difference between the thought process of a person who was whipped and beaten into "working the earth" and a person who chooses to do so voluntarily.

I thought this generation had died many years ago.
Wasn't slavery abolished in 1865?

Using the era as an excuse for todays trials and tribulations is more often than not over used and out of context, IMO. (This Ranger's analysis is a perfect example). However, entirely overlooking or wearing blinders that the effects of that era aren't still prevelant is an absurdity.

Slavery was abolished in 1865, yet a black man wasn't allowed to share the same bar stool, restroom or access to education until the 1960's. Putting that time frame into perspective gives you an idea of how long it takes for the effects,ideals and ignorance of racism to diminish. No bailouts, programs or directions were put inplace to help resolve the effects, just the abolishment of the practice. Abolishment of slavery is an act. The acceptance of equality is the action that moves society forward. 100 years for the semblance of acceptance after 200 years of persecution, stripping of family ties, torture and inbreading.
Please don't respond quickly or defensively, it is not my intent to place blame on anyone from my perspective. Just give it some real thought and place yourself in someone else's shoes. Imagine your life and that of your family, if you had no way of protecting them from rape and beatings. If your family was taken from you and seperated. If you were 'physically' punished for your religious beliefs. Imagine not being able to trace your family lineage past the early 1900's or late 1800's. Constant questions of self-doubt and lack of identity prevail. No other group of people has ever endured such harsh cruelties over an extended period of time.
For better "understanding" of the degree of intent for complete psychological control investigate it for yourself. Google "Willie Lynch Letter", or if you really want "understanding" of the effects, read the books. Amazon has them fairly priced.

You forgot this...

swatterssr wrote:

2ndeagle wrote: I agree that the rangers explanations are singular and factless (BS).

My point exactly.

swatterssr wrote:

2ndeagle wrote:

swatterssr wrote:

2ndeagle wrote: I'm sure there might be just a little teeny weeny bit of difference between the thought process of a person who was whipped and beaten into "working the earth" and a person who chooses to do so voluntarily.

I thought this generation had died many years ago.
Wasn't slavery abolished in 1865?

Using the era as an excuse for todays trials and tribulations is more often than not over used and out of context, IMO. (This Ranger's analysis is a perfect example). However, entirely overlooking or wearing blinders that the effects of that era aren't still prevelant is an absurdity.

Slavery was abolished in 1865, yet a black man wasn't allowed to share the same bar stool, restroom or access to education until the 1960's. Putting that time frame into perspective gives you an idea of how long it takes for the effects,ideals and ignorance of racism to diminish. No bailouts, programs or directions were put inplace to help resolve the effects, just the abolishment of the practice. Abolishment of slavery is an act. The acceptance of equality is the action that moves society forward. 100 years for the semblance of acceptance after 200 years of persecution, stripping of family ties, torture and inbreading.
Please don't respond quickly or defensively, it is not my intent to place blame on anyone from my perspective. Just give it some real thought and place yourself in someone else's shoes. Imagine your life and that of your family, if you had no way of protecting them from rape and beatings. If your family was taken from you and seperated. If you were 'physically' punished for your religious beliefs. Imagine not being able to trace your family lineage past the early 1900's or late 1800's. Constant questions of self-doubt and lack of identity prevail. No other group of people has ever endured such harsh cruelties over an extended period of time.
For better "understanding" of the degree of intent for complete psychological control investigate it for yourself. Google "Willie Lynch Letter", or if you really want "understanding" of the effects, read the books. Amazon has them fairly priced.

You forgot this...

swatterssr wrote:

2ndeagle wrote: I agree that the rangers explanations are singular and factless (BS).

My point exactly.

Got it. My apologies.