Post by: cjjcb on May 17, 2023, 08:33:07 PM
Glad I’m a member…
Only takes a few morons to soil a heck of a lot of good hard work BHA does.
Thanks for taking this head on.
“This is a hard message to write; however, I do so as an at-large member of BHA’s North American board of directors with the intention of acknowledging an incident that happened at our North American Rendezvous. I write this not as a trite corporate response but as a member of an organization that is committed to making our public lands and waters places where all are truly welcome.
At an event during Rendezvous, an attendee repeatedly used the “N” word in front of one of our Black attendees. Several people witnessed it, but it was not immediately addressed. We have been working to do so in the time that has followed. As a board member of our organization, I feel it is important that we acknowledge this incident. As a Black person, I’m deeply frustrated…but I’m not surprised.
First and foremost, I want to make it clear that racism has no place in our organization, and we all must take responsibility for creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone. We must acknowledge that incidents like these can be hurtful and alienating to members of our community, and we must commit to doing better.
To do this, we must all learn to speak up when we witness incidents of racism or other forms of discrimination. It is not enough to condemn these behaviors ourselves; we must actively work to create a culture where such behavior is not tolerated. This means intervening when we witness problematic behavior and holding ourselves and others accountable for discriminatory actions. I’ve been in many situations where I witnessed a shocking comment and was flat-footed myself. Over the years I’ve learned to hold the space and address those comments on the spot. Let me just say, what matters more is not what you say, but the fact that you address it. A simple, “That is racist and not welcome here” would suffice.
We have a 30,000-member organization, and we’re bound to have a few *censored*es. One person’s actions and words do not reflect who we are as an organization. But how we respond to them reflects our values. We can’t control people’s behavior, but we can control how we respond to bad behavior. We’re currently evaluating internally how we give people the tools to address these types of situations in the future.
We are conducting an internal review of our policies and procedures, including our code of conduct, to ensure that they are comprehensive and effective. We also will be providing training and resources for our staff and volunteer leaders to help them recognize and respond to incidents of racism and other forms of discrimination.
If you have questions, please contact me or Katie McKalip, BHA VP of external affairs and communications.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and thank you, on behalf of BHA’s leadership team, for your support.
Keenan Adams, At-Large Member of the North American Board”
Post by: KFhunter on May 17, 2023, 08:56:16 PM
If not for this thread I’d have never known. One pos spewing racial epithets prolly after having been to the beer garden in a convention isn’t exactly news worthy so long as it was handled, and it eventually was, so….. why air it to the public?
We’ve banned members here for much the same, we don’t make posts about it, or air it to nwsportsmen magazine or rokslide
We handle it and move on :dunno:
Post by: cjjcb on May 17, 2023, 09:02:37 PM
Sorry if you feel I’m “Airing dirty laundry”…
Probably best not to talk about it, right?
Post by: KFhunter on May 17, 2023, 09:06:44 PM
Post by: cjjcb on May 17, 2023, 09:20:47 PM
As a Washington hunter to other Washington hunters on a Washington Hunter forum, I thought this was interesting…
Post by: idaho guy on May 17, 2023, 09:23:48 PM
Why air dirty laundry here?
If not for this thread I’d have never known. One pos spewing racial epithets prolly after having been to the beer garden in a convention isn’t exactly news worthy so long as it was handled, and it eventually was, so….. why air it to the public?
We’ve banned members here for much the same, we don’t make posts about it, or air it to nwsportsmen magazine or rokslide
We handle it and move on :dunno:
Unacceptable behavior, but Not really newsworthy, in my opinion. Censored gets drunk and acts like an ass at the campfire? Agreed handle it and move on. BHA should have bigger issues to devote their time too. Like public access? But I’m not a member either.
Post by: cjjcb on May 17, 2023, 09:51:45 PM
If Wa forum members don’t find it engaging then it drops off the feed in a day and a half…
It is what it is…
Post by: Cylvertip on May 17, 2023, 11:44:20 PM
:twocents:
Post by: Gettin Birdie on May 18, 2023, 06:24:02 AM
Post by: cjjcb on May 18, 2023, 08:34:52 AM
I say good on them for getting on the record and out ahead of the rumor mill. If they get bad press, it's harder to recruit new blood.:yeah:
:twocents:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 18, 2023, 08:48:15 AM
Post by: salmosalar on May 18, 2023, 09:05:07 AM
Good for BHA to be up front and act quickly. I appreciate that and I appreciate BHA and the work that they do.
Post by: buckfvr on May 18, 2023, 10:54:58 AM
Post by: OutHouse on May 18, 2023, 01:06:59 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on May 18, 2023, 03:54:12 PM
I have no idea why any white guy feels the need in any way to say that word or feels in any way victimized by it not being socially acceptable to do so. I find this mind boggling.
Repugnant though may be in any case, I'm not sure we know enough facts to say it happened exactly that way, just saying.
Post by: Wizekrakr on May 21, 2023, 07:56:00 PM
Racism against everyone will flourish as long as it continues to be perpetuated by the government for political gain.
Amen Brother