UPDATE AT 9 AM (Pacific time) SATURDAY, Oct. 17, 2020. WE HAVE CLOSED COMMENTS and removed some of the most hateful. We’d rather just ask readers to be respectful with their comments than close them down, but that would not work. So comments closed (Sad)!
By Nanci Dixon
My husband and I are full-time RVers. We are also an interracial couple with Black kids and Black grandkids and have noticed that the other Black campers are few and far between. Where are they? Why aren’t more Black families camping? Where are all the Black RVers?
While thinking about this, speaking with my husband, and talking with other Black RVers, I’ve come up with a few reasons (and debunked a few myths) as to why we see so few Black families at the campground with us.
Danger in the woods
A dark reason can be found in the historically horrific things that happened to Black folks in the woods. My husband grew up in Mississippi when lynchings were rampant and going into the woods at night was strictly forbidden. “The boogie man will get you” was code for “The KKK will get you.”
For a lot of people, the outdoors are a refreshing, meditative place to recharge and relax. For many Black people, though, it can be a place to be on guard and watch out. In other words, do anything but relax. A Black couple who recently camped near us said that while they really enjoy camping, they just don’t walk around the campground at night.
“The industry has not been welcoming”
Outdoor adventures have been in what are traditionally considered white spaces. National Parks, State Parks, County Parks, particularly in the Southeast, have restricted access or been blatantly not welcoming to Blacks. Even our beloved father of the National Park system, John Muir, called Blacks “lazy sambos” and native people “dirty, suspicious and dangerous.” Within the Sierra Club, founded by Muir, was a call-out for white supremacy and eugenics by its first leaders.
Even without taking the dubious history of the National Parks into account, the programs and interpretive exhibits of today are generally slanted toward white history and bias. It is a subtle form of “This is about us and not about you.”
In her article “Why Black People Don’t Go Camping,” Nikki Brueggeman writes: “Black people do not have a natural aversion to camping or the great outdoors; we have a natural aversion to racism and abuse. We don’t go camping because we hate mosquitoes, need heated rooms, or hate campfires, we don’t go camping because the industry has not been welcoming.”
Addressing inclusion
Earl B. Hunter Jr. founded a marketing and consulting company to address the business opportunity to help equip Blacks with camping equipment, provide information on how to camp and places to go. It’s called Black Folks Camp Too.
The National Parks in particular are taking a strong stand to be inclusive, examine its history, hire more Blacks in leadership roles, revamp educational programs and address the low percentage of use (7%) by African Americans. They are sponsoring things like “Black in National Parks Week,” Find Your Park and highlighting Soul Trak Outdoors, a nonprofit seeking to connect people of color to the outdoors, The Trail Posse, and the Facebook page African American Nature and Parks Experience.
Our story
Camping for 30 years with our family and now being full-time RVers, we have traveled all over the United States and seldom see other Black campers. We have encountered overt racism that was bad enough that we packed up and left a campground in the middle of the night. Another time an RVer called the campground office demanding that they get rid of the n@#*%*s in their campground. To the campground’s credit, they did not.
We are careful where we camp, particularly down South. One RVer I talked to said that as they were leaving the campground in their RV this year, a white man held up his finger to “shoot” her husband. This is not the first time I have heard that.
More often than not we encounter other campers that are friendly. Sometimes, however, there are hard stares, refusal to even respond “Hi” when spoken to and the underlying silent question of “Why are you here?” We are here because we are full-time RVers and we live all over this nation. We love this lifestyle and we hope to see more and more Black and brown people making s’mores around a campfire and enjoying camping too.
Read today’s newsletter (Oct. 17, 2020)
Related article: Black Lives Matter as RVers too
##RVT970
I am so sorry that this attitude exists… but not surprised. I’ve seen those looks and know all about that flavor of people. This IS very much a topic to bring up with park rangers who are charged with insuring a safe camping experience for visitors.
We would be proud to camp with you.
I too am sorry that this attitude is still prevalent in our society, just unacceptable. Please know not all of us feel that way and sending wishes this country would become more welcoming to all campers.
I’m embarrassed this exists. You and your family would be welcome to camp with us anytime!
I am a want to be camper here in Ohio. My wife and would be honored if you would be our first camp friends if we ever meet out there in this beautiful land that we live in. God Bless!
Congratulations, Nanci! I have been hoping to see this addressed in these pages.
I recall a show, where Oprah and her Bestie rented an RV, and took off to camp! They were posing the question of just why Blacks didn’t Camp, or RV as a whole! I think that the Article, just proves a point to me! The “Perceived” Threats from “Whitey”, is yet another reason to stir, the pot of Racism. While an “Incident” or two is possible, due to Ignorant Imbeciles that exist in every Race, Religion, and yes, in even Political Parties, these days, of course, I think it is these very “Minority Groups” that Perpetuate this “Whole Myth”! While those examples given seem harsh, I experienced way more Actual Racism, from Minority Groups, in my life, for sure! I could go into detail in my 65 Trips around this sun, and 100’s of Thousands of miles of smiles in my RV, as both a Full Timer, and Part timer, since 1975! But WHY? I guess I have not only White Looking Skin, but it is Thicker than other shades, as well, perhaps? I see only a limited amount of words are allowed?
“Continued” So as I was saying, the ONLY way, to actual ceasing, of all this Divide that seems to have been raising it’s Ugly Head, particularly as of late, is to Open Full Dialog, and for anyone experiencing, any form of Racism, to address it at the time it occurs! You’d be surprised, just how much can and would be accomplished if we all just Talked! The article proves yet another point, where another “Minority” Group arises, when you have actual “Clubs”, or associations that are a Separatist Movement, within the RV Community! Stop that crap now, it’s Silly, and makes your Race look even more Ignorant of what RV’ing is all about! I have helped several Black, Latino, Oriental, you name it, out when needed! I am NOT the exception to the rule either! Enjoy the fruits of our country, and get over the “Perceptions”. As said I have actually experienced way worse, and move on with my life! I am Much Happier and satisfied in my life that way! Try it, is all I am saying! Attitude!!!!!
To add, Not only have I owned every Type of RV known, and have Three currently, I sold “High Line” RV’s to ALL Races! I Retired from the USMC and sold “Foretravels” that approached a half million bucks each, in the Mid 1990’s! I did this for a few years, then Built Rockets for the USAF! So have extensive History and Experiences. I now own a Foretravel myself, and all kinds of Adventure Equipment, Three Off-Road vehicles, and 15 Boats! Mostly Kayaks! I SCUBA Dive and am a PADI Certified Divemaster! It’s what you want in this lifetime, and what you do, Personally to achieve your goals! I say we all are “Limited” in our own minds! Master your own Destiny! I am Highly Convinced that we all create our own “Limitations”, and see how people do that, in so many ways! Racism, surely exists, folks, it is certainly in every Race, though, too! To think otherwise, again, is Pure Ignorance, of actual facts! Look WAY past that Limitation, and you can go much further, I say!
Yep. Racism is a multi-sided coin and is multi-directional. I believe it exists because SOME folks want it to, mostly the minority as opposed to the majority of these groups. It’s true that the proportion of Black, Asian, Hispanic and other folks camping compared to Caucasians is low but that is changing. I have had great conversations with people of multiple ethnic backgrounds while camping. There will always be ignorant fools out there regardless of what we do. We have one life to live and should live it the best we can regardless of finger pointing and poorly educated people.
An amazing, and eye-opening podcast.
Tom, an excellent, well thought out, comment! I am of the same mindset. There are good and bad in all races. We have experienced saying “good morning”, or “hi” to someone, while walking through the Campground, only to be met with silence (we are white). You simply move on and enjoy the rest of your day. Camping (and pretty much everything else we do in life) is a choice! As American’s, we are all blessed with the freedom to make our choices. I have never witnessed the type of behavior that was expressed in this article. That is not to say that it doesn’t happen. But I have never witnessed it. I have Camped in RV’s since the early 70’s. While I will admit, I have not seen a large number of blacks while camping, I have to believe it is because they chose not to camp, as much as others ethnicities do. What I did find absurd in this article is that anyone would be afraid to leave their campsite at night. This is not the 1800’s. I believe in the Human Race and compassion towards all.
This is a disgrace. And so many of the people responsible call themselves Christians.
As quoted from a Muppet movie “people’s are people’s”.
I’m crying and I can’t believe this happens. I’m in NH and not a person of color so I have no idea how your family feels but I’m a person who sees the person not the color. If you’re a good person, I’m good. I’m sorry that you’ve had to deal with hate.
My family will camp with yours any time. ❤️ My husband and I are also looking to build an inclusive campground one day with sites for special needs, and to make half the campground family friendly with fun activities, and the other half adult only with cheaper sites. One day!
Yeah, glad to hear that. If you need help getting it started, I’m here. Send me info
Thank you for writing and sharing this article. I’m sure it will be met with mixed reviews, particularly in light of all that has been happening in our country. I feel sad, confused, disillusioned, angry that we, as a country are still where we are in regard to race relations. I don’t know if we can ever mature, ever coexist, to the point that articles such as this are no longer written, or need to be written. I’m beginning to think we need to adopt special days, festivals, holidays, etc. just for Decent Human Beings.
Nancy. I enjoyed your article but do not necessarily agree with you on everything. I grew up in a black neighborhood in West Virginia when I was a child. I went through the integration of schools in the 1950’s and even today still have black friends in my home. I am down to one black friend now along with his son. One of my older black friends just died and another we are separated because of the virus.
I have met a few black campers along the way. My wife, who is Asian, and I liked to walk and talk with people. We both make friends very easy, even though we do run into snobs sometimes, but we have many true friends. My wife and I both judge people by their actions. If you act respectable, you will be deemed worthy as being a part of our family.
Me being Caucasian married to an Asian brings some of the same reactions from people. To some it is a color issue but, not all.
my oldest son is married to an asian woman and they have two children and they don’t notice any stares, however an asian women did ask my daughter in law if her children were “mixed” . to which she replied with what . racism happens on all sides and from all races
I also grew up in Weirton WV on the north end and I had a lot of black friends. I went to an all black school from 3rd grade to 6th. Their were only five whites there. Never had a problem. There is a longer story to this but I’ll leave it there.
I grew up in Steubenville. My sister lives in Weirton.
I noticed in an older bunch of comments someone saying “finger guns” are a sign of approval. I went to the link offered and it is so, with many references from TV shows. I would NEVER have thought it was a sign of approval and will NEVER use it so. I also read a bunch of comments from peope who are colored pink, about the discrimination THEY have suffered, as if that means they have suffered as much as persons of darker color. As a feminist most of my life, let me mention I have also suffered much because of a double X chromosome, but I am NOT bringing that up to the OP, only to those people of lighter hue who feel their experiences are worthy to distract from the OPs experiences. Because their and my experience has no comparison at all to the racism still permeating our history and culture, which is solidly white male dominated. As a Floridian I am ashamed to hear of racist Floridians, but know they are out there. I am always thrilled to repeat that OUR native Americans/First Nations
As a Floridian I am ashamed to hear of racist Floridians, but know they are out there. I am always thrilled to repeat that OUR native Americans/First Nations remain undefeated by the US government and have never signed a peace treaty. I know I am not the only person of pink who feels that way. I am sorry that the OPs should have experienced racism and I will continue my efforts to be sensitive to all. And if I want to sign approval, I shall continue to use the THUMBS UP which has been pretty universally understood( and yes, married to an historian, I am aware that “approval” was not it’s ORIGINAL meaning-but it is, now)
My wife and I always love meeting fellow campers, especially when we find out they are full timers. We never judge! We would of welcomed you with the same friendliness you have shared in your article. After all we are also Camp ground hosts! Now if you have a big dog and its not on a leach, we will walk around!
Being black while shopping for an RV can be a big turn off. Six salespeople have missed a sale. Was not taken seriously. Already pre-approved!! Will only spend where I am treated like white R.V. shoppers.
Thank you for this article. It is very eye opening. I learned much and hope I am not part of “them” I, too, was raised to see the person not the skin. But the thing I learned that hit me the hardest is that the actual word sambo is racist. I grew up with the story of Little Black Sambo and thought that Sambo was the name of a little boy from India. I thought he was incredibly smart for not being eaten by the tiger. And I couldn’t understand what was offensive. Now I know.
Please keep writing. If I see you down the road, please wave and say hi. We’ll wave back.
Thank you for this article. We have been full timing for 15 years. From time to time we wondered about this and wondered why some of our kids friends were not allowed to come camping with us when they were young. Then one day it dawned on us. We see more waving confederate flags over RVs than Black families camping. That about summed it up for us. Thank you for putting our thoughts into writing.
If you enjoy camping you should not let anyone make you feel unwanted. I treat all campers the same. I think most campers are polite to all other campers. Everyone should get out and enjoy camping. Your skin color or ethnicity should not stop you. God made the great out-of-doors for all people to enjoy.
Racism can never be justified. There is no realistic way to condone it. I think it can be explained by knowing that people like to look down their noses and berate other people in order to falsely feed their own egos. I guess the easiest way is to find fault with someone else is visual. Different skin, hair, etc. Instead of finding fault with someone who is “different” we should be looking past those differences and enjoying meeting a new friend and sharing our cultures. I know that at my age I wont live long enough to see racism even fade, let alone go away, but I’d like to think that I was never stupid enough to just accept it.
Come to think of it, I have only seen black folks camping in National Parks and corporate parks like Escapees or KOA. As for the confederate flags, I personally see them more as anti-yankee, but I understand why blacks hate them also. Hispanics and whites kind of blend in together as it should be, yet Asian RV’ers seem rare to me. As for American Indian RV’ers
I regret I have never noticed them.
Nanci,
GREAT Article! You provided a different (and needed) perspective on the history of the racist beliefs/thoughts in the camping lifestyle.
Based upon our experiences
1-We do a little bit more research (via blogs, local news and the reviews of others) on where we are going. If we get the inkling that it is not going to be safe for our family then we don’t go.
2-I mentally prepare for the stupid comments (How much do you get paid to transport that RV, What are you having for dinner? Fried Chicken?, Just to be clear quiet time is at 10pm..we don’t want to hear any loud rap music)
3-We stay to ourselves and do our own thing and don’t go out of our way to engage with other people.
4-Have an exit plan.If an unfortunate situation happens I can have my site broken down the RV ready to roll in 15-minutes.
I hope that one day all RV’ers in ALL states can treat each other with the same amount of friendly words and respect.
Anyone and everyone is welcome as an R.V. enthusiasts! A couple of rules should be followed. Not by blacks, whites or browns, but by everyone.
1. Be Courteous.
2. Be Respectful to others.
3. Leave your political feelings at home. The R. V. Park is not a place for them.
4. DO NOT WEAR RADICAL SHIRTS OR FLY BANNERS OF SUCH!
5. Keep the music down. There are many styles of music and everyone does not like them all!
6. Keep the camp grounds clean and pick up trash if you see it!
7. Park only the allotted amount of vehicles in your slot you rented. These are for all people, no matter what race or gender they may be.
We travel in the summer in our rv and see very few black people.
The ones we have seen are very nice and easy to talk to like the white people.
I don’t care what color you are as long as you are respectful to others you should not have any trouble in the rv world.
If you look at a man as a man he’s a man (not black or white).
“easy to talk to like the white people”?? Sometimes it’s hard to see racism when we speak. We all need to dig deep and change for the better.
I found your article interesting. Thank you for writing it. We are not full timers, but have traveled back and forth, from coast to coast, a few times. We have seldom met black campers while walking around the campgrounds, and thought it was very odd. After thinking about it, I can probably count on one hand how often this has happened. I hope things can change. This country is so beautiful, and should be enjoyed by ALL!
I read something yesterday that isn’t exactly on point on this topic, but does speak to the divisions in our society that seem worse these days.
“If you’re an American your heritage is either Native American, slave, refugee or immigrant. That’s it.”
We must all live together, those who try to divide us are hurting all of us.
Good one!!
I having a little understanding how a black might feel. I hate being in a campground where one or more campers feel the need to fly their Don’t Tread on Me and Rebel flags. If I feel uncomfortable having them for a neighbor I can imagine how a black family might feel. I have noticed more and more blacks camping in my local campgrounds and I find this very hopeful for America.
We travel in our Coach for several months each year, and have noticed the lack of Black and other People of Color virtually everywhere we travel. It’s a huge shame that our industry has this built in bias and a bigger shame that some refuse to recognize it and even blame the victims of this problem (as below). I’m not sure how we go about solving the systemic racism in our country, or even in this recreational segment. But it’s clear that we MUST if we’re to have a healthy, successful future. And it’s just as clear that acknowledging the problem is the essential way to start. Thank you Nanci Dixon for getting the ball rolling! Chuck – I suggest this become a series. Our RV world needs some education.
I am a Character not Color person. I have experienced discrimination throughout my life from every race, and mindset. If someone doesn’t like you, and stays away, you could call that discrimination, if you like.
Discrimination has been with us since the beginning of time. It will always be with us because we are dealing with humans.
Realize that Racism is a HUGE business in this country. Think how many jobs and how much money revolve around Racism. LOTS of high profile people, so called journalists, and politicians stir the pot for their own benefit.
Be good to me, I’ll be good to you. Live the Golden Rule.
As we camp or stroll through the campground, we like to greet the people we pass, regardless of race or ethnicity. Most often it’s just a “Hi” in passing, but a friendly gesture can also spark a friendly response or conversation. Many campers will be shy and turn away when they see us passing, but a friendly “Good morning” usually lights them up and they instantly know that we’re interested in them enough to make contact. So, don’t wait for others to make the first move. Someone has to break the ice and it’s easy to do.
The whine of racism is getting old and continues to divide our country. . This martyr complex produces an attitude of victimization. Blacks don’t RV camp because most Blacks can’t afford to. My family and I have RV camped for fifty years and every Black family I have met in campgrounds have been quality, upstanding, friendly, enjoyable people.
We are also fulltime RVers. I learned a few things I did not know in your article. I’m glad the NPS is taking a positive plan moving forward. We cannot change history but we can learn and be better from it.
I do not see a lot of black families out camping but I am seeing more in the last few years.
When we walk through campgrounds we speak to everyone we see , even if it’s a just a “hello” , smile, or wave. We do not look at skin color, but that it is another human.
Defining people by skin color is racism in itself. We are human , we are all the same inside ,just different wrapping on the outside.
Great article. I live in California in a very diverse ethnic community raised by parents that treated everyone the same. I often think I have a fairly good understanding of racism and how the Black community feels. This opened my eyes to things I had not considered living in the “California Bubble”. I believe when we think we are not racist this is when it’s important then to look a little deeper. We all have a responsibility to hear other stories and learn from them. We should want to. Thank you for sharing.
I have made reservations and am looking forward to the “re-opening” of an old, dilapidated RV park near Talladega, AL renamed “Time Away RV Park”. The new owners are a black couple (he is a retired, ex-military).
According to photos posted online, there have been people of all ethnicities and genders continually arriving to assist and help the owners to meet their deadline.
Thank you for writing this, Nanci. Nice & quick overview on what can occur while camping to individuals/families that some sore thumbs harass. Not everyone is a sore thumb! We’d enjoy a sunset with you any time. If an RV campground ever receives a phone call asking to kick someone out based on race, the person calling should immediately be kicked out. Still flying the rebel flag should be disallowed on public land and private campgrounds. Those people are not “people” or “white people” but “hate antagonists”. Solve the problem of people spreading hate, not forced inclusion. An app called “black folks camp too” doesn’t sound like it is addressing inclusion, nor does forced hiring practices vs. the best person for the job. I support the events happening but seems odd under an “inclusion” heading.
As far as the Rebel flag, I don’t get it either, but I’m not from the south. But I do believe in free speech and free expression. If it offends you, don’t look! If it bothers you that much, leave the campground. Cancel culture backfires on those using it eventually. So that old saying “be careful what you wish for” should be applied here. As long as they are behaving respectfully and following the camp rules, I would say the people that don’t like the flag have the problem! What if someone decides they don’t like the look of your RV, oh they already do that in some campgrounds! If your Rv is 10 years old they won’t let you stay there! REALLY! People always carry things too far!! Look at the riots!! Keep camping inclusive and fun!!
Well said, Nanci. Shame the racism continues in the comments here. I pray this country learns how to stop hating. Maybe we can start in January.
There are always racist folks around, but did you know that the total percentage of the U.S. Population is only 13% Black? Maybe that could explain why we don’t see that many Black RV’ers. If you went by population alone, and discounted costs, lifestyle, etc., it would be reasonable to not see that many Black RV’ers.
Wow, having grown up in the south, I personally treated every person as I wanted to be treated. Having full time now for over 7 years, I personally have not seen what you are describing. We work camped in Yellowstone this summer at the Marina general store and greeted blacks just as well as anyone else who came into the store we worked.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I read very recently the only color we should notice is the white or silver in a man’s or woman’s hair. And then respectfully refer to them as ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’ as they are (usually) our elders.
As far as our skin color, none of us had any choice or say in the color we are. However, we Do have the choice in our actions and attitudes towards people of any and all colors. Time is over due for us to simply treat each other with proper respect and courtesy.
If you walk past my campsite, stop and say ‘Hi’ and I’ll do the same. Maybe we’ll start up a new friendship that could last for many years
I just read the article “Where are all the Black RV’rs”, written by a Black Woman in an interracial relationship, who I commend and applaud for such a great, deep, honest article.
I am a white man and I have been in interracial relationships now for almost 20 years, my former wife is a beautiful Black Woman. I was raised in a very extreme racist white family, thus I have seen racism from both sides and it is worse than appalling to me. NO white person can know the hurt and pain that racism causes a Black Person; it is unimaginable. As an interracial family we have experienced threats, discrimination, damage to property intimidation and much more. It is no wonder that Black people are angry, fear to just go out and enjoy what white people enjoy.
I hope and pray that one day WE ALL see each other as ONE and not as separate races. WE ALL Bleed the same, feel pain the same, why can’t we ENJOY life the same since we are all the same, HUMAN.
White red neck ignorant racism stinks up everything everywhere every time It rears its ugly head…I pray that after the big election the haters go back into their holes and know they are not welcome in this world until they learn how to treat all people with respect . Unfortunately, there are way too many of these types in the RV world.
Thank you for writing the article.
You’re a perfect example of someone that needs to be removed from this newsletter, and any campground that civilized people visit.
Well said Gary. These kind of people need to be removed from this newsletter to show this kind of blatant racism will not be tolerated here. Chuck
The answer to the question is twofold and simple: demographics and economics. Blacks make up only 13% of the US poplulation; therefore, the answer is in porportion. Blacks are on the lower socio-economic scale. They don’t have the money for the luxury of RV camping. There are always cause-effect logical explanations for the myth of “systemic racism”. Every Black family I have ever met in a campground in 50 years of RV camping has been of good character, friendly, and enjoyable. Let’s talk about the joy of camping rather than continue to stir division.
Excellent. Thank you.
Systemic racism is a main reason for the lower end of the socioeconomic scale
There is no doubt American is not a racist country. Is there racism, yes, and its in every ethnic group. How about thinking in terms of two races, decent and indecent. Personally I see good representation of every race except Japanese people. Yes, working in LA for 40+ years, if I wrote a story everything my car was kicked, every time I was told get out of here cracker, everything some racist threatened me , geeze, you could cry me a river.
The USA not a racist country? What rock have you been living under all these years?
Nanci Dixon, thank you for this important discussion. We are full timers…and I rarely see black families camping. I hadn’t really thought about it until I read your previous post. A few days ago I did see a black family having a great time together in the forest. I was glad. But it has been an eye opener and hurts my heart that you and your family and others face such prejudice while traveling. I don’t understand what happens in the hearts of others. Thank you for sharing.
I’m going to write this without sounding racist. I lived in northern IL and worked 15 years on the south side of Chicago, I’ll admit I was very racist then, so were the blacks I worked around. I found out in 1985 when I had to move to AL to continue my retirement with GM that very little racism existed there compared to Chicago. I lived across the road from an elderly black man who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, he was wonderful, he became a surrogate grandpa to my 10 year old son, taking him fishing etc.(I worked afternoon shift and couldn’t take him fishing) and he had a grown son who was a few years younger than I who was racist to a point. I experienced an outsider attitude from the locals because I was a yankee, no I found the difference between a yankee and a damn yankee, a yankee goes down south and spends his money and goes home, a damn yankee goes down south takes a job a southerner could have and stays. As I stayed and started doing as the locals do
I started being accepted. By the time I had been there a year I was one of the good ole boys. The point I’m making is if blacks started looking and acting like Americans instead of Africans they might be more accepted. I’m from German, Dutch, and Wales decent but I don’t act like any of those ethnic backgrounds, I consider myself 100% American, I was born here, raised here and will die here. I believe you are what you make yourself. If I had insisted on remaining a damn yankee I would never have been able to live happily in the south. As I said I came south in 1985 and now reside happily in southern TN. Blend In!
Excellent and well researched article. Thanks!
My spouse and I were in a campground in Monroe, MI last week. On one side of us was a Black family in a Class A RV. On the other, three white men drove their trucks in with trailers, and one of them had a confederate flag as their front-end license plate. I wanted to leave a post-it note on their windshield asking why they needed to promote hate and white supremacy, but I didn’t. Even as a white woman, I felt unsafe, so I can only imagine how this would be a hostile environment for people of color. I am sorry about this and will do more to try to change it.
How the heck is the confederate flag promoting hate and white supremacy? I am a Northerner, who lives in Florida now… and I only see a flag that is part of our history. I can only venture that you think its hate because of the Civil war? Which was truly about money,naturally.
That is as discriminatory as people being afraid of blacks that might pull in next to them! How about let’s judge people on their behavior not by preconceived prejudices! I have met nice and hateful people of every race and walk of life. I have learned to wait and see!
Great article. My husband and I too have wondered why we’ve seen so few Black campers. I never considered these viewpoints.As lifelong northerners who retired south, Ive seen that the racism can be more blatant because in some families/groups it’s accepted and taught. And over the years, we’ve noted all campers are less friendly and outgoing in general.
I see the intent of “Black” camping groups, but also believe it creates another division among campers.
I was an rv tech for over 14 , I was fortunate enough to get to travel to several rallies. We were campers before I joined the industry and through the years often wondered why more minorities didn’t camp/rv. We are now full time rvers and workcamp. This season, with the covid situation, I saw a lot more blacks, mixed couples and Hispanics come to the campground in Pa. we are working at, many of whom were first time campers. My hope is that we provided a good, positive experience for them to continue to camp, even when this virus has run it’s course.
I worked in Oakland California as a white gas servicemen. I experienced less than nice black people, and I experienced wonderful black people. Racism runs in BOTH races no matter what you are led to believe. However, I did experience that the overwhelming number of black people treated me with respect, as I did them. I detest when some people protest all of America as the problem, when it’s the few that are racist.
Wow! Worst comment section I have seen on this site. The poking fingers and racist slantedreviews are outlandish. Clean it up people. It is not a political problem with one party over the other. It is from within each of us. Look in a mirror and see yourselves. If you are blaming others, it is probably you.
All quite reasonable. Also, though, you have to consider economics: even the cheapest of camping (in a tent, at a free spot on public lands) requires that one have the time off (and on the same day as the people you want to camp with–many low-wage jobs are not M-F 9-5), and the means to get there. Of course, people of all races have low incomes, but at the same time, that has to partly explain a lower percentage of people of color in the campgrounds and RV parks.
Mrs. Dixon’s life experiences are given validity by saying she has a biracial family then goes on to tell us all her bad experiences. Well, I have the same blended biracial family and raised one black grandson. So that gives me equal validity, right? We have a class A motorhome and traveled the country with it. Also by car and airplane. Never, not once did we ever experience any racial bigotry. Just the opposite. Much of what Mrs. Dixon believes and passed on to her children, is systemic racism and she found what she was looking for. On the other hand, I taught my black family we are all Americans and live in a wonderful country. Hence, we found that to be true and they are happy and prosperous. We can live with 200 year old memories of hatred or not. Its your choice. We chose to be happy and free.
Agreed! We see ourselves as campers, not black campers. So our experience has been far different. We have never seen acts of discrimination towards us. Even when we parked next to the campers with the confederate flag, they were the ones who helped us back in our camping spot (not one of our strengths). We found out we had more in common than differences and they were great cooks.
I was just talking to my husband about this!! Everywhere we camp, we see mostly egotistical white males with their Trump flags and confederate flags really set the mood. I can imagine that wouldn’t feel too welcoming to minorities. The comments already here, prove my point exactly. My family will welcome you and help you feel safe, whomever you are.
Nanci,
Thank you for writing this important article. The comments are telling in terms of the problems you mention. It only takes one hateful person in a campground to ruin the experience and make someone cautious about returning to the outdoors.
We have workamped and camped in different parts of Country. A lot in the south. We have noticed that we see far less blacks in south camping but when we were traveling out west we seen more but still not a lot. We have noticed more Hispanic people in TX. We see a lot of french canadians in Florida. One day we will hopefully just see people camping and having fun, not see color or think oh you must be from here or there.
I am one who talks to everyone. My husband says that is just me. If you see me out in an RV Park, come say hi. I love meeting new people and hearing where you are from.
As a Democrat & Senate Majority leader, LBJ twice blocked the Civil Rights Act from a vote which essentially delayed its passing. All that’s occurred since the “Great Society” is a destruction of traditional family values with black fatherless homes going from about 25% to about 75%. It’s easy to be ignorant to these facts when “educated” in propaganda camps disguised as public schools; or, when a Google search algorithm filters out the inconvenient truths.
Good Day to all! I’m a white woman born in the ‘50’s in Harlem, New York!
I say, do what you want to do, if that includes camping, then camp! Doesn’t matter what color, religion or culture you come from! So long as you are friendly, considerate and respectful, we’ll love you as our neighbor! We are full-timers, we love camping, and we are always respectful of our neighbors, we’ll never disrespect a fellow camper, if we run into our occasional moron neighbor, we just walk away.
GOD Bless all GOD’s people!
Crimes are committed at the same rate, Black people are more likely to be policed in their communities, arrested, and convicted. 16% means for every 10 people in the camp ground at least one should be a Black family. Not everyone likes camping but that’s the same for white people as well so the statistics should hold. It is unwelcoming to Black people because of the types of misconceptions you are writing here
agree totally.
Nanci, while I’ve like your articles since you started contributing to this newsletter, it’s official now – you are my favorite writer for RVTravel.com! Sorry Chuck, but #2 ain’t bad either.
It is evident by some of the comments that your article is spot on. I would love to see more people of color feel comfortable in the great outdoors and enjoying themselves and I always make sure that I am welcoming when I do meet someone.
Cheryl has a lot to learn about society and race. Unfortunately the RVing world is full of older, white, middle-class, retired, self-entitled xenophobic “Cheryl’s” as witnessed by the sad shape our country is in today.
It’s “I couldn’t care less”
As part of a tourism association in Oregon who is also making this an issue, we have a 3% population of Black citizens. 7% of campers are black, that means black camping is higher than average!
We are not a unified society. We often DO notice whether someone is black, and pointing out under-representation based on percentage of population is not racist. You may personally not care, but that is irrelevant.
If you think the first black president or Oscar winner was not significant – at the very least to people of color – then I really don’t know what planet you live on.
After reading this ,as a white person I feel ashamed that this is still happening in this world. I have worked with Black folk side by side all my life. Some of my best friends have been black. My granddaughter in of mixed race. Skin color should not matter to anyone.And its a shame that it still does.It would be such a better world if it didn’t .
Here’s what Morgan Freeman has to say about racism…….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh8mUia75k8
In 20 some years of camping, mostly in the southeast, I have never seen anything that came close to racist. Maybe I’m lucky.
I hate that this is still going on in our country. I wish there were a magic pill to make it all go away.
Our son is white and our daughter-in-law is black. The one time they went camping, when they were college kids, they ended up leaving early because a bunch of guys were milling around and watching them. They felt threatened. They were tent-camping so didn’t have much defense. Not sure it had occurred to our son that there would be a problem because obviously he never was afraid camping with us when he was a kid. It makes me sick. I think they deal with a lot that I don’t hear about. I worry about their safety in general in this world. Thanks for writing about this, Nanci.
Ok, the author gave ideas of why People don’t Camp. Now what should be done?
Our Indigenous People are not well represented in campgrounds either. An entirely different rhetoric needs to go for them. xxxxx
I belong to a vintage trailer group and we have one inter-racial family. As far as I am aware Rhonda has always been a part of the group with no one complaining. If there had been complaints our leader would have pointed it out as discrimination. I think sometimes that Black people interpret things through a lens that isn’t there for White people. Maybe the man pointing his finger was NOT using it like a gun but as a “hey, cool” symbol (which it often is where I come from). Interpretation is a tricky thing. I can’t think of one racist display I have ever seen at a National Park or elsewhere. Again, interpretation. Wanting a display to be aimed at race rather than at the science that is there just keeps race an issue. I don’t care what color you are – get out there and enjoy what the world has to offer. Don’t motive read the people around you. Get to know them for who they are and ignore the jerks among them. That’s what I do.