"The Full Circle Everest Team represents a zenith in generational perseverance. This expedition will showcase the tenacity and strength of these climbers, and highlight the barriers that continue to exist for Black communities in accessing the outdoors. This historic attempt will inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, educators, leaders, and mountaineers of color to continue chasing their personal summits."
And "there has never been an all-Black team to summit the tallest mountain on Earth."
[ https://www.fullcircleeverest.com/]
They will use bottled oxygen above Camp 3. We are told that, although 10,155 people have soummited Everest since Hillary and Tenzing scaled it first in 1953, only eight black climbers have reached the top of Mount Everest. Therefore this highlights the barriers that continue to exist for Black communities in accessing the outdoors.
Umm. As opposed to Indians, Pakistanis, Japanes, South Koreans, Chinese and Sherpas, all non-Western white, who have ascended Everest? Are these not "mountaineers of color"? I think maybe these Full Circle climbers and their expedition are blowing the we-face-barriers trumpet a little too loudly here.
Expedition member Rosemary Saal and the Washington Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/mount-everest-black-climbers/2021/12...] blow the same trumpet: “The expedition is very timely, as I think many brands and organizations are beginning to recognize the colonial history of mountain climbing,” Saal says — meaning the history of White male climbers, many from the British Empire that once ruled over India and the Himalayas — and are supportive of an effort to change the face of the sport and bring in traditionally marginalized populations."
They do not realise, or want to realise, that, again, large numbers of Indians, Pakistanis, Japanes, South Koreans, Chinese and Sherpas, all non-Western white, have ascended Everest.
Saal told the Washington Post that: “There’s been an intentional lack of access for Black people."
Who is responsible for this "intentional lack of access for Black people"? Has the general climbing community said a collective "Heck, no!" to Black people climbing?
How many Orthodox Jews have sumitted Everest? A low number I think. Does this "highlight the barriers that continue to exist for [Orthodox Jewry] communities in accessing the outdoors"? Are they subject to an intentional lack of access?
If this "all-Black team" wants to climb Everest then go for it and good luck. Just don't imply that "mountaineers of color" means only African Americans and, at the same time, you are representative of all mountaineers of colour. You ain't.
PS. The "zenith in generational perseverance" phrase gets a five star marketing bullshit award. It's truly top notch and in a class of its own.
Post edited at 00:00