I run through the fields between houses
I run at 4 am in the dark
I run up mountains alone on the back desolate roads
I run along the river where the homeless sleep
I run into wooded trails with nothing around me for miles
I run through any neighborhood, through any new city I travel
I never fear for my safety
I never worry about the color of my skin
I never worry that someone may attack me
I never fear a stranger that I run up on or the pickup truck out in the middle of nowhere
I never fear that someone may think I am running because I stole something
I never worry how my body looks in the clothes I wear
I never worry that I’ve given people the idea that I am open to their sexual comments
Running should be a place of discovery
Running should be a place for you to find yourself
Running should be a comfort zone
Running should be a place to find confidence
Running should be your safe place
Running should be a place to be part of a community
Running should be for everyone
Reflections on Safety, Discrimination, and Diversity
On a morning not too long ago I was running through that field I opened this post with. I’ve run along this route countless times, yet this morning, I found myself becoming more conscious of my skin tone. I wondered if I could get away with cutting this field if I weren’t white. There is a significant concern among black runners regarding their safety, as they have been subjected to various instances of discrimination. Some black runners have reported intentionally slowing down to avoid appearing suspicious. Women and people of color avoid running outside daylight hours for their safety. Women report avoiding trails they haven’t seen anyone on for 5 minutes.
As a result, all of these take away from the experience, the experience that keeps me running. They are sad reminders that things are not equal and it hurts the diversity in running. Having a daughter, I want her to be able to go out and run confidently. She shouldn’t worry whether someone will sneak up behind her or deal with harassment for the clothes she is wearing. I try to give women space and plenty of warning when I am on the trails. Whatever I can do to help them feel confident I am not a threat. But there needs to be more done.
Privilege in Hindsight
This is not the first time I am considering the privileges I have because my skin color has a different pigment. When I was younger I had repeatedly found myself in trouble with the law. I was given a long sentence that was suspended pending I didn’t find myself back in the courtroom. Had I been black or had my name been Jose instead of Josh, I am confident that suspension would not have been offered. My life would be very different today.
The first step is just acknowledging there is an imbalance here. Be aware of your own privileges or lack thereof. Use this awareness throughout the day. See what you notice. What is it that you can get away with that others may not? Be part of the change with your own attitude and watch out for your own prejudices. Moreover, it’s important to voice your opinion in a discussion that could potentially marginalize women or involve racial discrimination. Flip the awkwardness back on the speaker rather than sitting there listening to their bullshit.