Sunday, September 10, 2006
Baltimore Bicycling Bigotry
I hate to sound like a broken record, but unthinking discrimination requires a response. The following is a copy of an E-mail I just sent to Frank Anders, President of the Baltimore Bicycling Club, the Vice President, Past President and at-large members of the board.
Frank:
It is with regret that I write this E-mail to you today. You do a great job as President of BBC and I am sure you don’t need to hear about my “hot button” issue. But, on the other hand, it is the nature of “hot button” issues to make the unfortunate possessor of the issue site down and write E-mails.
My hot button issue is discrimination. It bothers me whenever I see it and it especially bothers me when I see it in organizations that I support. And I see it today in BBC.
I am specifically speaking about the program advertised on Page 5 of September/October 2006 BBC Newsletter, “She Got Bike”.
The first paragraph of the description of this event says, “The rides are only for women cyclists …”. So, let me get this straight: it is BBC policy to allow certain club members to be excluded from this ride because they were not born the correct sex? That is the only explanation that I can come up with for allowing this event to be sponsored by BBC.
I am sure many people will say that this is an overreaction. There are plenty of other rides I, a man, can do that day. But that misses the point. Discrimination on any level, at any event, should not be supported by BBC.
Racists in the past would probably say that there were plenty of other seats on the bus that could be used by Rosa Parks. They would probably say that there were plenty of other lunch counters “those people” could eat. Why make such a big deal about a bus seat or a bad sandwich? So, it isn’t an issue of whether or not there are other rides. The problem is that BBC is sponsoring rides on October 1, 2006 that I cannot participate in because I am not the preferred sex.
Why is it OK for BBC and this ride to discriminate against men? It is only rampant and misguided political correctness that allows this ride to be so proudly announced in the BBC Newsletter. Please let me know if there is any other sex, ethnic or religious group of club members that are ever excluded from an otherwise open, beginner’s event such as this. I didn’t think so.
Also, why is this good for bicycling and BBC. What is it about “woman’s cycling” (a term taken from the BBC ride announcement) that makes it unique. With the exception of saddles and shorts I know of no other piece of bicycle equipment that is sex-specific. Is it beneficial to local bicycling to attempt to divide us into little sex-specific tribes or would it be better to demonstrate that bicycling is an inclusive sport that is enjoyed equally by both women and men?
I think an argument could be made that the universal enjoyment of our sport would be a better and more inviting introductory experience. There is no reason that the events at “She Got Bike” (lectures on cycling basics, nutrition, training, fashion show) could not be held at an event that is inclusive of all BBC members and prospective members.
So, again, it is not my intention to be too hard on you. You do a great job leading the club and I appreciate your efforts. However, it is my intention to cause you to think about this issue and consider why discrimination, however insignificant you believe it to be, is justified and supported by BBC.
Thank you for your time,
Jim Pastorick
Frank:
It is with regret that I write this E-mail to you today. You do a great job as President of BBC and I am sure you don’t need to hear about my “hot button” issue. But, on the other hand, it is the nature of “hot button” issues to make the unfortunate possessor of the issue site down and write E-mails.
My hot button issue is discrimination. It bothers me whenever I see it and it especially bothers me when I see it in organizations that I support. And I see it today in BBC.
I am specifically speaking about the program advertised on Page 5 of September/October 2006 BBC Newsletter, “She Got Bike”.
The first paragraph of the description of this event says, “The rides are only for women cyclists …”. So, let me get this straight: it is BBC policy to allow certain club members to be excluded from this ride because they were not born the correct sex? That is the only explanation that I can come up with for allowing this event to be sponsored by BBC.
I am sure many people will say that this is an overreaction. There are plenty of other rides I, a man, can do that day. But that misses the point. Discrimination on any level, at any event, should not be supported by BBC.
Racists in the past would probably say that there were plenty of other seats on the bus that could be used by Rosa Parks. They would probably say that there were plenty of other lunch counters “those people” could eat. Why make such a big deal about a bus seat or a bad sandwich? So, it isn’t an issue of whether or not there are other rides. The problem is that BBC is sponsoring rides on October 1, 2006 that I cannot participate in because I am not the preferred sex.
Why is it OK for BBC and this ride to discriminate against men? It is only rampant and misguided political correctness that allows this ride to be so proudly announced in the BBC Newsletter. Please let me know if there is any other sex, ethnic or religious group of club members that are ever excluded from an otherwise open, beginner’s event such as this. I didn’t think so.
Also, why is this good for bicycling and BBC. What is it about “woman’s cycling” (a term taken from the BBC ride announcement) that makes it unique. With the exception of saddles and shorts I know of no other piece of bicycle equipment that is sex-specific. Is it beneficial to local bicycling to attempt to divide us into little sex-specific tribes or would it be better to demonstrate that bicycling is an inclusive sport that is enjoyed equally by both women and men?
I think an argument could be made that the universal enjoyment of our sport would be a better and more inviting introductory experience. There is no reason that the events at “She Got Bike” (lectures on cycling basics, nutrition, training, fashion show) could not be held at an event that is inclusive of all BBC members and prospective members.
So, again, it is not my intention to be too hard on you. You do a great job leading the club and I appreciate your efforts. However, it is my intention to cause you to think about this issue and consider why discrimination, however insignificant you believe it to be, is justified and supported by BBC.
Thank you for your time,
Jim Pastorick
