Georg W.F.
Member
I am just wondering why sailing is such a white sport? This topic is perhaps not related specifically to the Laser-class, but since for many the entry into this sport occurs through (or on) a Laser, we laserites might have to think about this issue.
I know a few hispanic sailors and I have ONCE seen ONE black person on a committee boat. Oh, and I know a black couple with a cruiser that, as far as I know, has never left the harbor. Other than that, all the sailors that I know, and all the sailors that I don't know but that I see on all kinds of sailing boats, and specifically on boats that race, are predominantly white. It is true that sailing is not cheap and it is true that the poorest people are mostly people of color, but many blacks and hispanics are part of the middle class or upper class. Besides that, one can crew on a boat without spending more than a couple of hundred dollars on some clothing. Beer and lunch are provided if you find a decent skipper. You don't need to be a millionair to sail a laser either.
Thus, I wonder, why have many blacks taken up golf (which I consider as a much more elite sport than sailing) but not sailing. Do we need a Tiger Woods to inspire the multitudes? Yet, where is this Tiger Woods coming from?
I know this is a delicate question, but I wonder:
(1) if others find it troubling and puzzling that sailing is a white sport,
(2) if we should do something about it,
(3) if some people have tried to do something about it.
Or am I wrong?
GWF
I know a few hispanic sailors and I have ONCE seen ONE black person on a committee boat. Oh, and I know a black couple with a cruiser that, as far as I know, has never left the harbor. Other than that, all the sailors that I know, and all the sailors that I don't know but that I see on all kinds of sailing boats, and specifically on boats that race, are predominantly white. It is true that sailing is not cheap and it is true that the poorest people are mostly people of color, but many blacks and hispanics are part of the middle class or upper class. Besides that, one can crew on a boat without spending more than a couple of hundred dollars on some clothing. Beer and lunch are provided if you find a decent skipper. You don't need to be a millionair to sail a laser either.
Thus, I wonder, why have many blacks taken up golf (which I consider as a much more elite sport than sailing) but not sailing. Do we need a Tiger Woods to inspire the multitudes? Yet, where is this Tiger Woods coming from?
I know this is a delicate question, but I wonder:
(1) if others find it troubling and puzzling that sailing is a white sport,
(2) if we should do something about it,
(3) if some people have tried to do something about it.
Or am I wrong?
GWF