Does the appearance of this vehicle discourage some visitors to the National Park System?/MPD01605 via Wikimedia Commons
A group seeking to increase diversity of visitors in national parks is suggesting, among other things, that the National Park Service change the look of its uniforms and vehicles because they project a law enforcement image, "which presents a significant impediment to engaging all Americans."
That was one in a list of recommendations the group offered up in calling on President Obama "to issue an Executive Order to ensure the second century of conservation in America reflects the full diversity of our nation’s citizens; respects the historical, cultural and spiritual stories and unique contributions of all Americans; and actively engages all people."
“The face of America is rapidly changing; yet our public lands do not reflect this demographic and ethnic diversity. We have a moral responsibility to fix this disconnect now, for our children, for our grandchildren and for all those that came before us. We must head into the next 100 years with a strong commitment to a more inclusive approach to public lands that puts a priority on engaging all Americans and protecting cultural and natural landscapes that tell our country’s complex history,” said Dr. Carolyn Finney, author of Black Faces White Spaces and coalition participant.
More than two dozen organizations called for the Executive Order. Among them were The Dignitas Agency, VotoLatino, Valle del Sol, the Trail Posse, Rural Coalition, Faith Based Alliance, Soul River Inc.-Runs Wild, Environmental Learning for Kids, and The Colorado Lation Leadership, Advocacy, and Research Organization, Continental Trail Divide Coalition, the National Urban League, and the Children and Nature Network.
Among other recommendations were requests that the federal government:
* Leverage the National Park Foundation, National Forest Foundation, and other private partners to advertise the range of experiences already available in America's national parks and public lands -- everything from rugged backcountry activities to vacations with concierge services. Seek innovative ways to connect with culturally diverse communities and demonstrate how these places relate to their personal experiences and varied travel interests.
* Establish new outreach, interpretation and education positions inside land management agencies at all federal hiring grade levels, with diverse backgrounds, to start developing and implementing park interpretation and education innovations.
* Identify public or private partners who can train land management agency representatives to be aware of their interactions with those veterans who suffer from war-related trauma, as well as youth and newcomers to parks, to ensure public actions and events do not intentionally and negatively affect them.
* Identify strategies to partner with faith groups and local organizations to facilitate events and outreach efforts that leverage parks and other public lands as a forum for critical conversations and atonement -- allowing for community restoration and reconnection in a meaningful way.
"Conservation of America's public lands and waters, including our national parks, forests, monuments, wildlife refuges, National Conservation Lands, and recreational areas should be driven over the next 100 years by three guiding principles: 1) every child will have the opportunity to discover his or her own history and heritage; 2) federal land agencies will demonstrate engagement that is respectful and inclusive of different cultures via outreach, stewardship and interpretation; and, 3) a responsibility to actively engage all people," the group said in setting down its recommended policies and priorities.
"Our vision for a more inclusive approach to public lands conservation over the next 100 years includes a commitment to engaging all the segments of our country's population so they become active users and vital advocates in protecting our public lands and waters for the future," the group said.
“President Obama has shown great leadership on parks and public lands, but there is always more progress to be made. We challenge this President and the next one to embrace a vision for the next century of conservation that focuses on the importance of national parks and public lands for all Americans,” said Maite Arce, President/CEO of the Hispanic Access Foundation.
Comments
This is an important conversation, but again, totally misses the mark. Who is "advantaged" by constantly bringing up the issue that minorities are "disadvantaged?" Simply, who has made it their "career?"
Back in the 1960s, I worked hard for civil rights. Our church in Binghamton, New York, had a summer program just as Lee describes. We took the kids to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. We took them to nearby state and regional parks.
What happened? The "professionals" took over. The bureaucrats took over, and suddenly it was all about "them." Today, they infuse our colleges and universities--and the Democratic Party. "We will fight for you!" Yes, all the while paying themselves handsome salaries and doing nothing for the kids.
I generalize, but of course. But how is it that after 50 years this problem hasn't been resolved? Because some people don't want it resolved. To resolve it would take discipline--not meetings. To resolve it would require breaking up the barriers that stand in the way of anyone poor. But again, the bureaucrats only want us to identify "their" poor. And so we hear again that the problem is all of those "whites" who don't understand.
I understand, having been poor, at which time the bureaucrats tell me that my being white, whether poor or not, is to enjoy being part of "the power structure." You have an invisible power, one liberal activist told me recently, that allows you to succeed while minorities fail. I wish someone had told me how that would pay for the groceries every time "affirmative action" denied me a job.
Face it. There are lots of people in this country living off mediocrity and calling it greatness. Here is another example of it. If we want racial understanding, we will fire these "experts" for a change. It's time.
Cry me a river! My husband is a police officer in a major city. They HAVE to be visible for the public's sake. Only criminals are intimidated by uniforms, and if that's the case, keep them AWAY from the parks...PLEASE!
Studies have shown that when law enforcement is visibly present whether by their uniforms or patrol cars, crime decreases.
Argue with those facts!
Hold on, folks. There realistically is a middle ground. I scoffed at this thread initially, but the truth is that there are minority groups who are systematically discriminated against and abused by people acting under color of authority. If you take refugees from Myanmar or Pyongyang or even Ferguson, you can understand their fear of police uniforms. It is more than "only criminals are intimidated by uniforms". That said, I think this is an issue the NPS should best handle by ensuring that those who wear the uniform respect the dignity and human rights of those they interact with, even if the interaction is arresting someone.
Right on, Rick.
And as for blaming problems on "bureaucrats," wouldn't it more accurate to place the blame where it probably really belongs, on politicians who tell the bureaucrats what they must do?
We seem to have two parties that try to do "something" to "help" our fellow citizens. One tries to give them a hand up and the other tries to push them down. One stresses education and opportunities. The other claims those are undeserved handouts and tells us we all must pull ourselves up.
In the meantime, the "bureaucrats" in various agencies -- including those run by NGOs -- are handed rule books filled with often conflicting attempts to abide by whatever political decisions are vogue at the moment, or until the next election.
Even churches and other philanthrophic organizations are affected because they often depend at least in part on state or federal dollars that come with strings (large ropes?) attached.
In my experience, the social workers, counselors and others whose boots are on the ground (the bureaucrats if you will) trying to do the job, are normally idealistic people who are truly interested in the welfare of those they serve. They are also normally frustrated out their minds by various restrictions and mandates imposed from somewhere on high.
We seem to have two parties that try to do "something" to "help" our fellow citizens. One tries to give them a hand up and the other tries to push them down. One stresses education and opportunities. The other claims those are undeserved handouts and tells us we all must pull ourselves up.
That's the spin, Lee, but what is the reality? As a professor, my students always complained when they didn't get an A. I told them they needed to earn that A. And guess what? Minorities rarely took my classes. After all, the bureaucrats gave them so many other places to go--Women's Studies, African-American Studies, Society and Justice Studies, and now, according to my good friend Harry Butowsky, War, Sex, and Slavery in the Carribean Studies, or some other such gibberish, he tells me. The moment we did this in the university, we said we were no longer serious. That's the liberals, Lee, not the conservatives. I demanded writing research papers and blue-book essays, and the liberals said I was too tough.
Now, young people can't even speak anymore, ah, you know what I mean? As for writing, they all buy their papers online. Then we wonder why they drift home to Mom and Dad $50,000 in debt. They can't do anything; they can't offer anything. Oh, the best always can because their parents were serious and refused to believe the Wizard. But Republicans push minorities down? No. I refuse to believe that watching our most liberal universities cave to political correctness.
Now what? More of the same? Alfred Runte is too white to teach here? He doesn't understand? No, he understands all too well. Without discipline--without sweat, blood, toil, and tears--even a B.A. or a B.S. isn't worth a damn.
Seventy-five years ago, or thereabouts, FDR faced a similar problem, with millions of young men in the streets. What did he do? The CCC. You will earn $30 a month and send $25 a month home to your parents. You will plants trees, build checkdams, and help local agriculture. You will execise, eat three nutritious meals a day, and not talk back to your superiors. Why didn't President Obama do that? Because he doesn't read history, either.
Talk, talk, talk. Blame the other party again when all else fails. It works, and works all too well, or else the politicians wouldn't do it. We could have solved this problem had we wanted to--had we been disciplinarians instead of worthless enablers. Now we are stuck--and it will take another 50 years to break the cycle of dependence we created.
We, not they. Next up on the chopping block? Cursive writing. From now on, every child's signature will look some chicken scratching in the dirt. No allowance for pride in what you own--what is unique to you. Just scratch it out with any old thing. John Hancock? Who was he?
I watched it all happen, basically from the sidelines, but no one is kidding me. This all started by being "sensitive" to bureaucratic theory. And the only theory there was protect one's job.
Al ... I don't think this is the forum to re-fight and re-appeal and re-appeal your exit from academia.
"And as for blaming problems on "bureaucrats," wouldn't it more accurate to place the blame where it probably really belongs, on politicians who tell the bureaucrats what they must do?" Lee.
You ask a very valid question, Lee. Most folks have little appreciation for how much senior-level management is influenced by politicians looking over their shoulders and speaking in their ears. Sadly, few officials are willing to stand up to political/commercial powers and insist on living up to the standards laid out in the NPS Organic Act/Redwood Act and official NPS management policies - even when it might have a negative impact on their career goals. I have known some outstanding NPS officials who have held the line - and they deserve and need all the support they can get from the rest of us.
So, Rick. Exactly what forum do you have in mind? Yours? Meanwhile, a little more light reading for you in case you missed it on the thread for Soda Mountain.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/05/04/new-administration-rule-would...
Now. Everyone take a breath and ask. Is this what we want from our government? Is this what Hillary Clinton meant tonight by supporting the president on global warming? He gets to rewrite the Endangered Species Act and undermine the federal courts? In that case, Park Service uniforms would appear to be the least of our problems.