Own Your Roots (Episode 73)

This week on the pod, Shaunna and Lisa discuss what it means to really acknowledge a history of exclusion. Shaunna, fresh off of a trip to Chareleston South Caolina was impressed with the approach of the city in acknowledging its history of slavery and the oppression of African and African American people. Throughout her trip, she encountered memorials, museums, and other signifiers and signposts related to Charleston’s history of racism. The city made every effort to make clear its past. This is refreshing. Many cities, organizations, and events refuse to publicly acknowledge their role in the oppression of others, and the perpetuation of slavery, in particular.

Shaunna and Lisa compare Charleston’s acknowledgement and ownership of their history with how endurance sport needs to step up. Endurance sport needs to be more explicit in its discussion of its history of exclusion, particularly of women and people of color. Part of the challenge is the many levels of endurance sport. Bringing them together to collectively acknowledge their roots of exclusion is an easy task to avoid, when responsibility is so diffuse. The recognition of disparities and inequities in endurance sport cannot stay only in the present - at the tips of the tree - it must look backwards to move forwards. Without this open and honest retrospective, we will struggle to sustain an inclusive endurance sport landscape now and in the future.

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