Soapbox

Pass me the brown shoe polish, i can feel some free accomodation coming on!

Why isn't this open to everyone, another case of reverse racism maybe?

John, Would you really like to spend the weekend with the El Shaddai Church Group?

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, we shall come rejoicing bringing in .....

I wanna know what they are doing to encourage the Amish Community into the Lakes??!! They do a lovely line in rocking chairs ya know!

There's plenty of inner city types with all sorts of ethnic backgrounds that could benefit from 'publicity stunts' like this, it's infuriating that it's aimed specifically at ethnic minorities...

Well, there are other initiatives I'm sure, like ones for urban schoolchildren etc.

I suppose the thing is that sometimes it helps people to focus in, so they can actually get something done. The alternative of 'Everybody under-priveleged, urban, inner city, elderly, young, out-of-touch-with the countryside' blah, blah, is a bit much to bite off.

It's difficult to be more focused and avoid seeming patronising though.

Personally I'm all in favour of initiatives like Mosaic.

I am all for introducting others to the outdoors as I do with my mountain leader work but at the same time why should it be open just to one particular group. Yes this is reverse racism, which in todays society seems the norm. Now if I started a group to introduce straight, white, males to the outdoors then I would be branded a homophobic, racist sexist pig. Just imagine, the press would have a field day.

I'm half Italian and my husband is Austrian, do we get a free trip?

Go on then Dave, I'll play...

I didnt know you were straight :)

No. You don't.

I agree with the sentiments expressed by John C and Dave.

However, I fear that by expressing this opinion, some people may brand us as bigots or racists. Thats simply not the case.

I just feel that ANY form of descrimination is wrong, especially those based on colour, race or creed.

Stories like these are also used by racist groups to justify their warped views, and although this isn't a reason to stop them, I think its worth recognising.

I wonder what the organisiers rationalisation is behind targeting these specific groups, and not broadening the initiative to take in other sectors of the community that don't / can't visit the national parks.

Si(C)

The outdoors is already full of 'straight, white, males', that's the point isn't it? There are very few ethnic minority members out walking or climbing for all sorts of reasons, many of them, I suspect, cultural. I don't know why people get so het up about this. I'm more concerned with my taxes being spent on cruise missiles so we can support Bush in his dubious foreign adventures.

If it is a cultural thing then yet another white anglo saxon male putting his considerable weight behind it isn't going to make a blind bit of difference to them.

I will not be drawn into discussing what's going on in Iraq, so there!

I'm off to Loot Sadam's Palaces.....it's part of the "Mo' Say It" scheme! Viva Bush!

If someone had introduced Iraqis to the outdoors a few years back then this might not be happening...






I'll get me coat.

also surely singleing out one group in the first place is just as racist. I have spoken to some asian friends who feel that this kind of publicity makes them feel uncomfortable.

Lets not start a debate on the war.

I think it's a fact that we live in a multi-racial, multi-cultural society, but you seldom see a black or asian face on the hill. There are big asian communities in Manchester, Bradford and other northern cities, but for whatever reason, very few of them take advantage of the outdoors.

Presumably you're also against schemes which introduce deprived inner city youngsters to the outdoors, or people with learning difficulties, or disabled people because that's singling out a particular group?

Just out of interest, when was the las time a scheme that is intended to introduce deprived inner city youngsters to the outdoors reported on this site?

I personally have no issues opening up the countryside to anyone that hasn't used it before. My issue is with when the do-gooders select a specific group rather that opening it up to all!

Exactly. I think it is great to introduce others to the outdoors but surely having 'come to outdoors' type meetings open to all regardless of their background etc would be a better way of doing this. I take out all sorts of groups and enjoy doing so and then it is down to the individual whether they continue to go out or not.

Jon, if it was a scheme singling out deprived inner city Irish youngsters or Catholic, or Left handed, or Ginger, or Inuit (sp) or.... then yes, I'd have concerns about that too.

However, most such schemes that target those with learning disabilities, those from deprived backgrounds, those with disabilities etc DONT discriminate for or against certain ethnic groups.

And thats the part that I'm uncomfortable with, not the fact that the scheme is supposed to introduce more people to the places I get enjhoyment from going to.

Si(C)