About Brandon Loomis

Brandon Loomis is editor of the Adirondack Explorer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. louis curth says

    Finding our “Adirondack comfort zone” is a discovery story about nature that goes all the way back to William H. H. Murray and beyond. It should be no surprise to anyone that black people are rediscovering the wonders of nature in greater numbers just as white people have in past centuries.

    The benefits of an organization like Outdoor Afro are manyfold. They are introducing black people to nature, much as the NYS licensed guide program has done ever since the program was revised in the 1980s for the protection and nurture of a largely white clientele. The “comfort zone” benefits from these partnerships will also help the Adirondack region to rise above “the look” and adapt successfully to the diverse America that our future economy will depend upon.

    As diversity among outdoor users grows, many more people of color will also join the ranks of those who advocate for the continued protection of our beautiful Adirondack environment, and their support will be very welcome indeed.

  2. Vanessa B says

    This is a good article, many kudos. I also wish it wasn’t “news” that non-white people enjoy nature.

    And to connect the theme a bit, I also think it’s the Explorer’s responsibility to speak more directly to the issues that cause some non-white people to be uncomfortable in the Adirondacks. This article is about racism without mentioning that word as far as I can see. Why would white people find people of color out of place in the first place? Is it a non-white person’s job to publicize their discomfort so we can figure out what’s going on?

    Whereas, again local media is uselessly churning its wheels over the “debate” re the confederate flag because it appeared in a July 4th parade in Ticonderoga. (A parade that was apparently attended by a certain “nice guy hiker” state senator who has been given lots of free publicity in this same publication. I don’t mean to necessary imply that the politician in question endorses the confederate flag, but then again, as far as I’m aware, no one has ever thought to ask him what he thinks about race and racism in his community, so I don’t know his views.)

    It is important that a publication that gets clicks from reporting on issues related to race be realistic, respectful and thoughtful about its own editorial approach. Is there really “neutrality” when we’re talking about racism? As respectfully as I can say this, I am not sure the Explorer is comfortable with the answer to that question.

  3. louis curth says

    The racism of both political parties is irrefutable. Therefore, the neutrality of racism is a sad and shameful reality to be faced by all of us. We can either look this fact squarely in the eye and try to do better, or we can look away in uncomfortable silence, just as many of our elected north country Republicans continue to do in response to the lies and twisted fantasies spun by their leaders.

    If the arc of history truly does bend toward justice, then we must give credit to Brandon Loomis, Melissa Hart and their associates, and to other journalists like them, who persevere to bring us thought provoking articles involving racism, misogyny, poverty, environment, and much, much more. Their efforts help us all to better understand the racial and class inequalities that threaten America’s freedom and democracy, and endanger that precious legacy for ALL of America’s children.

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