I see Kyle's point as tunnel vision. Look at other areas reliant on volunteers and you will see many females, in some cases overwhelmingly. Case in point: the local chapter of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization reported their volunteers by gender composition is 75% female, 25% male. That should shoot the theory of white boys being privileged and in positions to volunteer. It is the bike business in general that attracts males to the sport. Don't believe me then take a look at the staff at any bike shop for your random sample. Females are a breath of fresh air to the sport of cycling and bike riding in general. But look also to the junior ranks of any state cycling organization and you will find many more males than females. Credit to those that volunteer and here is wishing more would join us, especially females. bikedad
Andy Dyson <andy@neighborhoodbikeworks.org> wrote: BovineOaks@aol.com wrote:
> Being white gives us privileges that might make it easier to 'donate' a
> lot of time to a project you love. Nice racist statement.
>
Some great points in your post, Christopher, but it's the first line I
have a problem with. I think that if you're going to call someone a
racist you should do so in a more direct and clear way, for all of our
benefit.
Perhaps I'm just not smart, but sarcasm like the above leaves me
wondering exactly what about Kyle's post you thought was racist and why.
There are various interpretations I could think of, but why people in
our community are calling each other racists is not an area where I want
to jump to any conclusions. I do actually want to know what you think,
because I don't think that Kyle was denying that people of all
backgrounds volunteer, rather that privilege exists and it makes
things
easier for young, white males.
I think that the whole point of Kyle's post is to draw attention to the
existence of privilege, something that, in my experience, is not obvious
to all of us.
Peace,
Andy
--
Andrew C. Dyson
Executive Director Neighborhood Bike Works
Increasing opportunities for youth through bicycling
Check our Web Site:
http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org
Neighborhood Bike Works
3916 Locust Walk,
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: (215) 386-0316
Cell: (215) 873-6695
FAX: (215) 386-7288
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