I for one am grateful to Mr Philips for raising the issue. My comment is formed on the back of a conversation whilst out on a group hike – as most participants (sadly, some don’t and stick rigidly with their own companion) interact with other members of the group, I walked for a while with the only Black woman. I asked if she was a member of any other hiking groups (I had myself discovered this special event walk via another group) and she gave the name of her group for Black women. I asked if White women would be able to join. ‘O, no as that would change the point of the group as a place of safety to discuss challenges pertaining only to us – you know, things like our hair…’
I am no racist – I believe that there is only one human race – but perhaps my sharp intake of breath measured the contemporary British hypocrisy.
I for one am grateful to Mr Philips for raising the issue. My comment is formed on the back of a conversation whilst out on a group hike – as most participants (sadly, some don’t and stick rigidly with their own companion) interact with other members of the group, I walked for a while with the only Black woman. I asked if she was a member of any other hiking groups (I had myself discovered this special event walk via another group) and she gave the name of her group for Black women. I asked if White women would be able to join. ‘O, no as that would change the point of the group as a place of safety to discuss challenges pertaining only to us – you know, things like our hair…’
I am no racist – I believe that there is only one human race – but perhaps my sharp intake of breath measured the contemporary British hypocrisy.