Re: [Paddlewise] Sensitivity, etc.

<< I'm sure a lot of people look out on the crowds of kayakers on the Hudson 
and feel the way I do looking at a neighborhood pickup basketball game. 
They're not like me; I don't know if I'd be welcome there. Ralph is just 
talking about reaching out and saying come on, you're all
welcome.

-- mike >>

    Well said.  At the same time I can understand some peoples desire to be 
spared the well-meant intentions of the majority race. Much damage has been 
done in the name of virtue by the majority population. Witness the suffering 
of indigenous peoples in America (North and South), Australia, South Africa 
etc.

After a recent paddle, I walked over to a minority couple that seemed 
fascinated with our foolishness (post trip rolling practice). They were full 
of questions, very articulate and a little surprised at the lack of elitism 
they had somehow associated with the sport. We here, all share a great 
passion for kayaking, a passion for me that grows in the sharing. 

    I do not understand the reasoning behind all the demographics of 
paddling. Nor do I care. I do not feel guilty about the sins of someone 
else's forefathers. I love to paddle and I love to share my love of paddling 
with other people. If some of those people happen to have a different ethnic 
background then my own, I'm not sure that has such great meaning. But I will 
continue to share my love of the sport with anyone that shows interest.

Jed (in nonracially diverse New Hampshire)

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