He was shocked. They’re always shocked.
Recently, I went ziplining. Something I’ve now done lots of times. I’m not claiming to be a ziplining expert, but I’m very familiar with the process, safety rules and equipment. We had to test the gear out and I finished testing the gear pretty quickly and that surprised my instructor.
There are always certain queues you pick up on as a woman of color in majority white spaces. When I tell people what I like to do in my spare time it’s almost always met with a surprising or confusing tone.
No matter where I’m embarking, this racial prejudgement has become a part of my adventure experience. I’m frequently met with condescending tones and looks all covered through half hazards smiles and fake laughter.
It’s no surprise that I love adventure, after all I have an entire blog dedicated to it. But it’s always surprising to others when I explain my love for the outdoors and exploration. And I get it, how many movies or shows or anything can you name with black women jumping out of planes, parachuting across seas, going toe-to-toe with wildlife? I can’t think of any as I’m writing this (I’m sure there are some, if you know any comment below, (besides Black Panther)).
On the contrary, you have Kill Bill, James Bond, Mission Impossible, Wild, etc. etc, etc. And those are just some that popped in my head. You see, representation for leading black adventurous women in film and tv is almost non-existent. Black-women-lead genres are tailored around love, hair, being a career woman or portraying stereotypes (sassy, mama, babymama, funny best friend, etc). What’s portrayed is often so limiting and it has people thinking this is all we care about, which is such a monumental myth! Historically, there hasn’t been much creative freedom for us.
So when I’m out traveling about, it’s so easy for others to question my existence in those spaces. Since they don’t see it, they don’t believe we exist. It’s assumed, I don’t know what I’m doing. Or that’s it’s my first time. When I correct someone on their gear or form I get puzzling or “the audacity” looks AND comments.
The entire day this one white woman had a very cold demeanor toward me and my cousin (we were the only blacks). We ended up talking (of course we had to initiate conversation) and she talked about how she’d been ziplining before and said it doesn’t compare to skydiving. What irritated me was the way she said it. Saying it in a condescending tone as if she just knew that was something I haven’t done before (which I have). Before I could even correct her she walks off, not wanting to engage in a conversation but only wanting to hear her voice, her “superior-minded” voice over mine, thinking she knows me. Thinking she knows black people. Frankly, it’s quite annoying. But unfortunately it’s something I’m all too familiar with. I don’t let it deter me, I hope to inspire others to exploration so that seeing black people or minorities in these spaces become a common and average occurrence.
I never want to feel like I have to prove myself to people, “oh i’ve done this, this, and that” to gain their approval but I also believe it’s necessary to have representation so people are aware, and encouraged to venture out themselves. It can be such an exhausting conundrum. But it’s worth it.
Even among black people, we have to start seeing ourselves free and open to exploration. We have to be confident and give ourselves permission to be curious. Not make fun of people when they want to try something “out of the norm”. We have to continue lifting our differences as a culture and highlight what makes us so unique. And not be afraid to be the “only one” because it only takes one to break a barrier. It only takes one to make an impact. It only takes one to challenge the outdoor and adventure status-quo. I’m ready, hope you are too.
To more unknowns,
Carrie
I love this so much!! And what you speak about it so true as a fellow Black Adventurer. So many have misconceptions about you before you even open your mouth to say hello. But it warms my heart in living in my truth and shaking theirs every time I embark on a new adventure 💙
Great article, having the uncomfortable conversations all while being inspirational and inspiring!
Great article!
Keep exploring and representing us!