On Sunday I was invited out to the Venture Outdoors members' picnic day at the North Park Lake House. Kent Bey (Royal Tribe Founder) talked me into getting into a kayak. First I had to ask the staff helping me in the Kayak, umm what is the weight limit, cause I am not a little woman, and then I asked how often do they tip over? As an African-American woman, I also wondered what will this lake water do to my hair in case I fall in? But, I just had to try it. This place was absolutely beautiful. I had never been here before and wondered why none of my friends mentioned coming out here? The Lake House was perfect for an event. You could have a DJ, catered food under the shelter and there were plenty of tables and places to chill all right in front of this serene lake setting. I thought – why don’t WE come out here? Why don’t WE have an event out here for our people? That’s when I looked around and noticed that Kent and I were the ONLY 2 people of color out here. Then I thought, if we did try to throw an event out here, would our people event come out? We tend to stay in our own comfort zone. We have this thing that – oh, they don’t want us out there or they cater to them. If we start going to these nice places instead of settling for the hole in walls we tend to feel comfortable in, then they will start catering to us. If you’ve been noticing, other races are not scared to venture into our areas and take them over too. Can you say Garfield? – Penn Avenue to be exact. Won’t be the same in 5 years and they are not scared to move there, live there and play there (that’s another topic). But last I checked, nature was created by God for man to enjoy. But yet, you don’t see to many African-Americans outside in the summer doing a lot of activities in settings such as this. Are we scared to try new things? Is it only like this with Blacks in Pittsburgh? Or is it just me? I was pleased to see a few Blacks on the lake shore fishing. But with a park as nice as this and on such a perfect day, where were we at? Were we at the wave pool? Is that all we know is the wave pool!? Well, if you are one of those people who do the same thing and go to the same places all the time, please make a promise to yourself to do something different at least once every few months. That’s how you grow as an individual, that’s how you will get to experience other cultures, that’s how you will really get to experience the complete soul of our city. You may discover something new that you love to do – I sure did! Anyone want to go kayaking with me? Send comments to soulsis@thesoulpitt.com
5 comments:
I totally agree with you. It's a shame we don't venture out more. When I try new things I am too often the only Black.
Go on with your bad self!
I read your article posting and I have to agree with you; both since returning to PGH a year ago to run Venture Outdoors plus in 17+ years with the Boy Scouts around the Midwest, I have to tell you that breaking down barriers to participation in outdoor recreation; barriers that may be real or just perceived, is a tough thing for any non-profit, especially one offering “non-routine” experiences like you sampled on Sunday. Rest assured, Venture Outdoors is not just made up of white folks, there were other people of color there on Sunday and you can find them attending on many of our 400+ organized trips each year, but if you asked me for a number – I’d have to quickly say “simply not enough”! Kayak Pittsburgh also operates at its original location, downtown under the Clemente Bridge by PNC Park, with Beginner Paddle lessons operating on alternating Monday evenings between North Park and there.
Take this gal up on her offer to join her on a kayak trip – I’m in – and I’ll bet I can come up with a coupon for everyone!!!
I also agree with you that not many of us do participate in outdoor activities. The last time that I was at North Park I was happy to see a group from the First Mosque on the Hill at the lake on the kayak's. I however had the same concerns as you (being a big girl), but wasn't brave enough to get on one of the kayak's or boats. My son is a cub scout and routinely we will be the only black people on camping trips or nature hikes. Typically I am not an outdoor person but my son loves it so I suck it up and walk thru the woods and pick up leaves, rocks, feathers and God knows what else. More families should get out and witness up close what God has created I'm sure they will be amazed. Thanks for the article and the website it is great!
Thanks so much for your article, very effective piece of writing.
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