Climbing, BIPOC, and Policy
By Rock Rose Blog
Climbing, BIPOC, and PolicyJan 14, 2024
Hidden Figures I Want to Hear From You
If you are a Black person in a POC affinity group, an organization, as a volunteer, a leader, or even just a participant and you have a story to tell, I want to hear from you.
Now is the time to use your voice.
Hidden Figures in POC Spaces Part VI
Part VI: The Kind that Poems Could Never Capture the Longing Of
**I would like to acknowledge and thank all the people I have worked with throughout the years. Thank you to those who did build positions as well (like Mariko who was the OG climb night host and coordinator) and thanks to those who are no longer with the organization (Nicco and Nat to name a few). I remember you. I always will.
Hidden Figures in POC Spaces Part V
Part V: Right Now What Cha’ll Want Gonna Lose to What Cha’ll Need to Hear
Ammendment: The accountant did apologize to the contractor, but not the director charged with changing over the account.
Hidden Figures in POC Spaces Part IV
Part IV: I’m Not Gonna Tiptoe No More I Swore I’d Leave It Here
Hidden Figures in POC Spaces Part III
Part III: I’m Certain that I’m Weathered
Hidden Figures in POC Spaces Part II
Part II: We Don’t All Fly
Hidden Figures in POC Spaces Part I
Part I: We Can All Fly, I’m Sure of It
I thought this day would never come: a day that I would be completely excluded and discarded out of Climbers of Color leadership. And the story is too fantastic not to share. I hope others will take to heart how structure and policy in organizations can and do open up marginalized demographics such as myself, a Black cis gender woman, to exclusion. Even in people of color spaces such as Climbers of Color.
Sections:
Part II: We Don’t All Fly
Part III: I’m Certain that I’m Weathered
Part IV: I’m Not Gonna Tiptoe No More I Swore I’d Leave It Here
Part V: Right Now What Cha’ll Want Gonna Lose to What Cha’ll Need to Hear
Part VI: The Kind that Poems Could Never Capture the Longing Of
Deep in the Bones: An Issue of Plagiarism
This can also be found as an article here.
Let's take a look at the relationships of power and privilege across fellow affinity organizations, specifically the relationship between both Seattle based entities Climbers of Color and Queer Mountaineers. As everyone has seen, there was a statement issued by the Queer Mountaineers discussing an issue with their white led and majority white participant organization plagiarizing an application form from Climbers of Color (see end of article for specific questions plagiarized). Let’s dive in to see why this is harmful not only to the individuals of color involved in the original application creation, but also the ripple effect on queer people of color as well as the general affinity space at large.
Scope of Understanding
Black Hair and Climbing Part VIII: Policy, You Nasty P
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Black Hair and Climbing Part VII: Perception
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Black Hair and Climbing Part VI: Jaylynn Ayanna
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Black Hair and Climbing Part V: Perspective
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Black Hair and Climbing Part IV: Is It Privilege?
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Black Hair and Climbing Part III: Black Hair and Sports
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Black Hair and Climbing Part II: Black Hairstyles in Climbing Culture
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Black Hair and Climbing Part I: Bo Derek
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
When the Minority Becomes the Majority
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Resources for education:
158 Rescources to Understand Racism in America
The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States
Local Seattle Climbing Areas Indigenous Tribe-Snoqualmie
Works Cited at end of article here
Hip Hop Gone Wild: The Aftermath
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://rockrose.blog/2022/03/04/hip-hop-gone-wild-the-aftermath/
Works Cited
- “I Keep.” YouTube, uploaded by Jill Scott, 31 Jul 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9RfOuYXgKw
- “Regarding Hip Hop Gone Wild.” http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/blog/hip-hop-gone-wild, 28 Jan 2022
- “Regarding Hip Hop Gone Wild.” http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/blog/hip-hop-gone-wild, 28 Jan 2022
- H., CrystalRose. “Hip Hop in Climbing: Part IV.” https://rockrose.blog/2021/04/30/hip-hop-in-climbing-part-iv/, 28 Jan 2022
- “Welcome to No Man’s Land.” http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/about-home, 28 Jan 2022
- “So You Made a Film About a Woman.” 28 Jan 2022 http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/filmmakers, 28 Jan 2022
- “So You Made a Film About a Woman.” 28 Jan 2022 http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/filmmakers, 28 Jan 2022
- “The difference between D/deaf, hard of hearing and hearing-impaired.” https://www.connecthear.org/post/the-difference-between-d-deaf-hard-of-hearing-and-hearing-impaired, 30 Jan 2022
- “A new kind of physical therapy-rock climbing for people with disabilities.” https://www.kareemahbatts.com/videos/a-new-kind-of-physical-therapy-rock-climbing-for-people-with-disabilities, 2 March 2022.
- “Out on a Limb.” http://www.vasusojitra.com/projects/out-on-a-limb, 2 March 2022
- “A Grand Persuit.” https://reelabilities.org/film/a-grand-pursuit/, 2 March 2022
- “FWD-Doc: Documentary Filmmakers With Disabilities.” https://www.fwd-doc.org/, 15 Feb 2022
- “About Us.” https://reelabilities.org/about-us/, 15 February 2022
- “Directory.” https://reelabilities.org/film-directory/, 15 February 2022
- “FWD-Doc: Empowering Filmmakers with Disabilities.” https://www.documentary.org/feature/fwd-doc-empowering-filmmakers-disabilities, 10 February 2022
Hip Hop in Climbing: Final Words
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Works Cited
- “HIP HOP GONE WILD.” YouTube, uploaded by Becca Droz, 23 Sep 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAUZ3NBFx_w.
2. https://brill.com/view/book/9789004444836/BP000065.xml
3. “HIP HOP GONE WILD.” YouTube, uploaded by Becca Droz, 23 Sep 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAUZ3NBFx_w.
4. https://brill.com/view/book/9789004444836/BP000065.xml
5. http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/blog-1/hip-hop-gone-wild
Hip Hop in Climbing: Meet The Talent Dakota Camacho; Part XI
Hip Hop in Climbing: Meet The Talent Devin Dabney; Part X
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Hip Hop in Climbing: Meet the Talent Ryan Edwards; Part IX
Hip Hop in Climbing: Meet the Talent Snousha; Part VIII
Hip Hop in Climbing: The Black Climbing Community; Part VII
Hip Hop in Climbing: Non Black People of Color and Hip Hop; Part VI
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Hip Hop in Climbing: Snousha; Part V
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Cited Sources:
34. “FILMMAKER GRANT” No Man’s Land Film Festival, http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/pitchfest 3 Nov 2020.
35. Edwards, Ryan. Personal interview. 27 June 2020.
36. Excerpts from an emailed response by Snousha
37. Snousha. Personal Interview. 13 July 2020.
38. The Remix. Directed by Farah X and Lisa Cortes, 2019.
39. Machado, Amanda. “Closing the adventure gap: Women of color are reshaping the outdoors travel industry” Roadtrippers Magazine, 7 Mar 2019, https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/women-color-reshaping-outdoors-travel/, 6 Nov 2020.
40. Jun, Shelma. “How Gender Affects Your Experience at the Climbing Gym” Outside Magazine, 13 Sept 2016, https://www.outsideonline.com/2099921/how-gender-affects-your-experience-climbing-gym 6 Nov 2020.
41. Snousha. In person interview. 13 July 2020.
Hip Hop in Climbing: Climbing Demographics and Inclusion; Part IV
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Cited Sources:
18. Ashley, Amanda. “Profile: The Rise of Kris Hampton” Climbing Magazine, 6 Jun 2017, https://www.climbing.com/people/profile-the-rise-of-kris-hampton/ 3 Nov 2020.
19. “Climber, Rapper, Artist: meet Kris “Odub” Hampton” YouTube, Uploaded by Lizzy Scully, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2yyy6rfxzQ&feature=youtu.be.
20. Leininger, Charles F. “Going Home: the struggle for fair housing in Cincinnati 1900 to 2007” Housing Opportunities made equal, 2008, http://homecincy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Going-Home-2008.pdf 3 Nov 2020.
21. Abel, Georgie. “Climber Spotlight: Kris “Odub” Hampton” Climber Spotlight Journal of Moja Gear, https://mojagear.com/climber-spotlight-kris-odub-hampton/ 3 Nov 2020.
22. Ashley, Amanda. “Profile: The Rise of Kris Hampton” Climbing Magazine, 6 Jun 2017, https://www.climbing.com/people/profile-the-rise-of-kris-hampton/ 3 Nov 2020.
23. Valley Uprising. Directed by Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen, 2014. 35:07
24. Harris, Ida. “Code-Switching Is Not Trying to Fit in to white Culture, It’s Surviving It” Yes! Solutions to Journalism, 17 Dec 2019, https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2019/12/17/culture-code-switching/ 3 Nov 2020.
25. Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/appropriation?s=t, 3 May 2020
26. Jackson, Lauren Michele. “When We Talk About Cultural Appropriation, We Should Be Talking About Power” In These Times, 9 Oct 2019,https://inthesetimes.com/article/cultural-appropriation-appropriate-stereotype-hip-hop-culture-power, 3 May2020.
27. “Paul Mooney: Everyone Wants To Be A Nigga” YouTube, uploaded by Jay Denson, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMX4R9Wz8ns.
28. American Alpine Club. “State of Climbing Report, 2019” https://aac-publications.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/State_of_Climbing_Report_2019_Web.pdf 3 May 2020
29. “FILMMAKER GRANT” No Man’s Land Film Festival, http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/pitchfest 3 Nov 2020.
30. “YETI Presents: Mothered By Mountains” YouTube, uploaded by YETI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0NeI9RSYWY.
31. https://soundcloud.com/onechaintwobinerz
32. https://deuceishiphop.bandcamp.com/
33. Dabney, Devin. Personal interview. 27 June 2020.
Hip Hop in Climbing: "Counterculture"; Part III
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Cited Sources:
15. “Chris Sharma – Witness The Fitness, V15” YouTube, uploaded by bigupproductions, 6 Jan 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PP1AK1Aqis.
16. Note: Obe Carrion has not self identified as any type of BIPOC, this is based off skin color and features. It has been rumored he once referred to himself as a “minority” in the sport of climbing. https://us.ivoox.com/en/obe-carrion-returns-ep-003-audios-mp3_rf_18081177_1.html 11/3/2020
17. Hampton, Kris. “Daniel Woods Used the N-Word in a Video and We’re All Complicit” The Power Company, 27 Jun 2020, https://www.powercompanyclimbing.com/blog/n-word, 8 Dec 2020.
Hip Hop in Climbing: The Birth of Climbing; Part II
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Cited Sources:
1. “WATER (IF ONLY THEY KNEW) ft. Mahalia.” YouTube, uploaded by KOJEY RADICAL, 19 Jun 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6CbtXl2JUM.
2. Athena, Emma. “A ‘Pretty’ Strong Step.” Boulder Weekly, 9 Jan 2020, https://www.boulderweekly.com/adventure/a-pretty-strong-step/, 13 Oct 2020.
3. Karlo, Kathy. “Welcome to No Man’s Land.” http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/ 19 Jun 2018
4. “Hip Hop GONE WILD.” YouTube, uploaded by Becca Droz, 23 Sep 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAUZ3NBFx_w.
5. Pruitt, Sara. “How the Vietnam War Empowered the Hippie Movement” The History Channel, 18 Mar 2018,https://www.history.com/news/vietnam-war-hippies-counter-culture, 19 Jun 2018.
6. Pruitt, Sara. “How the Vietnam War Empowered the Hippie Movement” The History Channel, 18 Mar 2018,https://www.history.com/news/vietnam-war-hippies-counter-culture, 19 Jun 2018.
7. Alexander, Kurtis. “How the Miwuk Tribe is Reclaiming Part of Yosemite Valley” SF Gate, 27 Apr 2018, https://www.sfgate.com/science/article/How-the-Miwuk-tribe-is-reclaiming-part-of-12866845.php, 1 July 2020.
8. Jacobs, Jeremy P. and Hotakainen, Rob. “Racist roots, lack of diversity haunt national parks” E&E News, 25 Jun 2020, https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063447583, 15 July 2020.
9. Valley Uprising. Directed by Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen, 2014. 34:46
10. Repanshek, Kurt. “How The National Park Service Grappled With Segregation During The 20th Century” National Parks Traveler, 18 Aug 2019,
11. Johnson, Shelton. “The Green Book” National Parks Service, 5 Apr 2019, https://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/the-green-book.htm, 7 Aug 2020.
12. “Stats Report Viewer” National Parks Service, https://irma.nps.gov/STATS/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Annual%20Park%20Recreation%20Visitation%20(1904%20-%20Last%20Calendar%20Year)?Park=YOSE, 12 Aug 2020.
13. Sherman, Leonie. “Climbing Towards Justice” Adventure Sports Journal, 2 Aug 2019,https://adventuresportsjournal.com/climbing-towards-justice/, 12 Aug 2020.
14. Admin. “When You Stumble Upon Your Passion: How Chelsea Griffie found her calling to become a rock climber” Brown Girls Climb, 21 Mar 2018, https://www.browngirlsclimb.com/2018/03/21/stumble-upon-passion-chelsea-griffie-found-calling-become-rock-climber/, 12 Aug 2020.
Hip Hop in Climbing: Setting the Stage; Part I
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.
Cited Sources:
1. “WATER (IF ONLY THEY KNEW) ft. Mahalia.” YouTube, uploaded by KOJEY RADICAL, 19 Jun 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6CbtXl2JUM.
2. Athena, Emma. “A ‘Pretty’ Strong Step.” Boulder Weekly, 9 Jan 2020, https://www.boulderweekly.com/adventure/a-pretty-strong-step/, 13 Oct 2020.
3. Karlo, Kathy. “Welcome to No Man’s Land.” http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org/ 19 Jun 2018
4. “Hip Hop GONE WILD.” YouTube, uploaded by Becca Droz, 23 Sep 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAUZ3NBFx_w.
How, Why: The Beginning
This episode is also available as a blog post on rockrose.blog.