Thread:
What we saw on video happening to Christian Cooper in Central Park when he was #BirdingWhileBlack is nothing new to Black people who work/research/recreate in nature. For a while, I was NAIVE enough to think that..
1/
#BlackInNature
@BlackAFinSTEM #BlackAFinSTEM

when I moved from Georgia to California and started working for the Yosemite National Park Service as a wildlife ranger, I had escaped the overt racism so many of us see in the south. The overt racism that dictated where I was allowed to explore outside (hint: nowhere). 2/

I hope that what you’re seeing in the #BlackBirdersWeek social media campaign is a glimpse into the experiences that black outdoors folx face every time we go outside, but also shows you how much we LOVEEE what we do while being #BlackInNature. 3/

Though I may not classify myself as an active bird watcher, I am a Black herper, Black field researcher, Black rock climber, Black hiker, Black outdoors person. I love what I do, and I want to make sure young Black children get the opportunity to do so too. 4/6 #BlackLivesMatter

With that being said, my lighter skin affords me a different experience than most. It ABSOLUTELY allows me to walk differently through this world than most Black people, but it has also not stopped racists who have threatened and verbally attacked me for being black. 5/6

My blackness is not diminished in any way, but I hope other Black people with the same skin tones acknowledge that privilege. 6/6