Promoting / Enhancing Diversity
Return to DiscussionsIf you check out most nudist / naturist publications and social media you'd probably think the entire community is only cis gender, straight, Caucasians based on the images used.
In fact, a few months ago I had a "discussion" with representatives of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) regarding their "#IAmTheFaceOfNaturism" campaign post on Twitter. SURPRISE, it was all Caucasian photos!!!! When I pointed this out they indicated they had tweeted a (i.e.; ONE) request for BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) users to submit photos. When I asked if they made any further effort to make sure BIPOC members were in the campaign before publishing they pointed out that the Black Naturists Association (BNA) is an AANR affiliate club. (This appears to be their go to response whenever the topic of "diversity" comes up.) The "discussion" went nowhere from there.
With all due respect, the BNA is more of a travel group that organizes trips to various clothing optional sites rather than a "club" in a specific area like other AANR affiliate organizations. (And unless you knew it was organized out of Delaware you'd be hard pressed to find its listing of affiliate organizations on AANR's site.) Similarly there is the "Afro Nudist" organized on MeetUp as "a place for men of color to explore fitness, healthy living and mindful connections with others in the buff." The group is in Los Angeles, CA. To the best of my knowledge, there are no other BIPOC nudist / naturist organizations.
It's not for the lack of trying. In addition to True Nudists, I'm on Twitter, MeWe, Reddit, Instagram and a few other social media sites always open to connect with other BIPOC (as well as LGBT+) nudists / naturists. I even make weekly #FF (Follow Friday) Twitter posts including some of the accounts I follow in an effort to bridge further connections with similar users. And while I do have a fair amount of mutual BIPOC and gay nudist followers (mostly on Twitter), we're connected but not necessarily connecting or engaging. True Nudists has the most forums for naturists of these demographics, but still we don't seem to be connecting or engaging much less promoting or enhancing the representation of diversity of the nudist / naturist community.
Is there any more that we can / should be doing? Are there users who're interested in more than collecting social media followers? Are there other diverse organizations beyond travel clubs and single site groups? Most important, are there any users interested in promoting and enhancing the diversity of organizations like AANR?
You know, I am not at all surprised that it was all causcasian people. There are frequently claims made that "nudism is the great equalizer", everyone is excepted, etc. I don't believe that is always the case, especially paying more close attention to this over the past few years. I was reading reviews at a club, and some were commenting on the politics of the place. The message that seem to be conveyed by the camp is "if you don't agree with us, you are not welcome".
I recall another nudist meet where, although I have occasionally seen a African-American, who seemed welcome, the person leading the club was spouting off against Muslims, etc. The guy brags about tolence, but as soon as he senses a difference he does not understand and takes it as a threat, his tune changes.
After all the racial strife of the last few years that has been a reality check, I think more effort should be made to welcome minorities and encourage participatiion at naturist events UNQUESTIONABLY! People who do not want to be welcoming to all (in nudst and non-nudist group situations) have an inferiority complex, feel threatened, etc. Maybe if they took a chance, they might see the commonality, and find that they are missing something fantastic. It's a very scared, pessimistic view of the world when you intentionally or maybe unintentionally exclude certain people. This is the USA (or it is in my case) I have always believed in no (or more pragmatically) minimal social barriers.
What you describe is real but few want to have an honest conversation about it. Recently NPR in North Carolina reached out to get my perspective. I had the opportunity to share on the subject of naturism and diversity for the Embodied Radio show on NPR North Carolina WUNC. The show had many voices exploring naturism and diversity in the naturist space.
I was very pleased at the depth of the questions the asked by the host and broad variety of people who shared their perspective. I think the result is a useful coverage of naturism that while generally positive, shows we have a ways to go regarding diversity and inclusion. Follow the link below to listen
https://www.wunc.org/show/embodied-radio-show/2021-08-27/naturism-nudism-naked-movement-baring-it-all-naturist-nudist-our-natural-blog-triangle-area-naturists
IWhen I pointed this out they indicated they had tweeted a (i.e.; ONE) request for BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) users to submit photos. When I asked if they made any further effort to make sure BIPOC members were in the campaign before publishing they pointed out that the Black Naturists Association (BNA) is an AANR affiliate club. (This appears to be their go to response whenever the topic of "diversity" comes up.) The "discussion" went nowhere from there.With all due respect, the BNA is more of a travel group that organizes trips to various clothing optional sites rather than a "club" in a specific area like other AANR affiliate organizations. (And unless you knew it was organized out of Delaware you'd be hard pressed to find its listing of affiliate organizations on AANR's site.) Similarly there is the "Afro Nudist" organized on MeetUp as "a place for men of color to explore fitness, healthy living and mindful connections with others in the buff." The group is in Los Angeles, CA. To the best of my knowledge, there are no other BIPOC nudist / naturist organizations.
You are correct in describing BNA as a travel group which is a bad thing. But BNA is being used as a pawn to excuse the lack of real effort being made to address issues of racial inclusion in naturism among the national organizations. The reality is the organizations are true member organization even though they offer individual memberships. One is a for profit corporations and the other supports their business membership as priority for their business model
There are a few other loosely organized groups like Nubian Nudist on the East coast, a Great Lakes Nudist GLANTS in Chicago land and another bare black naturist in the far west.
I think many people are just like you, but I have sensed some double standard to varying degrees at assorted clubs / organizations claiming inclusiveness. One leader was rambling on and on against Muslims, and it was at that point that I began to realize that the proclamations of acceptance has strict qualitifcations. But this is the same person who runs a "wholesome club", yet has links to sex groups, tries to pick up women, and is more into the sex side of nudism that is often swept under the carpet. Yes, I think the original post has an on-target perspective of nudism. It's up to people who have a more inclusive attitude to make inroads into leadership and chip away at the "old boys club".
Thanks for your response.
I agree that there are double standards all over the place. And your example of the person who felt they were running a "wholesome" club points to one source of where these double standards come from . . . . . . LEADERSHIP (or lack thereof).
Perhaps BIPOC members shouldn't expect or complain about the status quo if we're not providing feedback to leadership or becoming more actively involved in how decisions are made in the organizations we're involved with, including becoming part of the leadership.