Promoting / Enhancing Diversity
If you check out most nudist / naturist publications and social media you'd probably think the entire community is only cis gender, straight, Caucasians based on the images used.
In fact, a few months ago I had a "discussion" with representatives of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) regarding their "#IAmTheFaceOfNaturism" campaign post on Twitter. SURPRISE, it was all Caucasian photos!!!! When I pointed this out they indicated they had tweeted a (i.e.; ONE) request for BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) users to submit photos. When I asked if they made any further effort to make sure BIPOC members were in the campaign before publishing they pointed out that the Black Naturists Association (BNA) is an AANR affiliate club. (This appears to be their go to response whenever the topic of "diversity" comes up.) The "discussion" went nowhere from there.
With all due respect, the BNA is more of a travel group that organizes trips to various clothing optional sites rather than a "club" in a specific area like other AANR affiliate organizations. (And unless you knew it was organized out of Delaware you'd be hard pressed to find its listing of affiliate organizations on AANR's site.) Similarly there is the "Afro Nudist" organized on MeetUp as "a place for men of color to explore fitness, healthy living and mindful connections with others in the buff." The group is in Los Angeles, CA. To the best of my knowledge, there are no other BIPOC nudist / naturist organizations.
It's not for the lack of trying. In addition to True Nudists, I'm on Twitter, MeWe, Reddit, Instagram and a few other social media sites always open to connect with other BIPOC (as well as LGBT+) nudists / naturists. I even make weekly #FF (Follow Friday) Twitter posts including some of the accounts I follow in an effort to bridge further connections with similar users. And while I do have a fair amount of mutual BIPOC and gay nudist followers (mostly on Twitter), we're connected but not necessarily connecting or engaging. True Nudists has the most forums for naturists of these demographics, but still we don't seem to be connecting or engaging much less promoting or enhancing the representation of diversity of the nudist / naturist community.
Is there any more that we can / should be doing? Are there users who're interested in more than collecting social media followers? Are there other diverse organizations beyond travel clubs and single site groups? Most important, are there any users interested in promoting and enhancing the diversity of organizations like AANR?
Thanks for raising this. Had the same concerns about the iamtheface of naturism campaign. Been working on the same thing and raising the same issues as you well know. Even talked with some people trying to move the needle with AANR. On Twitter there are overt racist nudists who lead aanr regional groups and other who are so-called influencers. They have attacked my site, and me personally since I questioned their belief that racist flags at venues are ok as long as the majority believe it is ok. They created fake accounts and posted comments to force their views. Had to leave twitter for my own mental health.
Proved a point Ive been saying for a while nudists are no less prejudiced that any other group. As to what can been done I dont know that the current racial climate is conducive to a multicultural multiracial expression of nudism. I connnecting with like minded people is the only option
WOW!!!! I recall the discussion on confederate and tRump flags as well. I had no idea the tactics they were engaging in behind the scenes. I'm really sorry that you felt you needed to leave Twitter.
But this speaks to the need for more diverse nudists to connect, engage and support each other.
If anything, AANR and similar organizations need to understand that they are not the appointed or authorized "gate keepers" of what nudism is or should be. That "nudism" is not something that any particular individuals or groups "own" and get to sell access to. Nudism is not just the freedom from clothes but the freedom to engage in the lifestyle where it's legal and socially acceptable to do so without the need of their permission or guidance.
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