Identity: Choices in Canyoneering
Consideration and effects of identity ideology in canyoneering
In the past, developments in the world of martial arts have provided some insight to see canyoneering practices and beliefs under a different light, like in this previous post:
"Epistemic Viciousness in Canyoneering"
Another recent development in the martial arts world serves yet again as an opportunity to examine canyoneering beliefs and practices. Quote from article (link in reference section):
"BJJ Black Belt Urges Instructors: Remove Toxic Students Immediately, Talent Doesn’t Matter
“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a martial art—it’s a community that has rules and a hierarchy - emphasizing that technical skill never trumps personal character."
This article struck a note. Hierarchy is a notion that canyoneering communities and organizations grapple with. Complaints about toxicity and unwelcoming attitudes are also a thing in canyoneering. And notions of diversity and inclusivity (rooted in identity ideology/politics) have started to make their way into the canyoneering spectrum of concerns.
Ignorance or bliss?
If you're a recreational canyoneer, this subject can go unnoticed, ignored, or remain in blissful unawareness. But if you are involved in the area of canyoneering instruction, or recreational leadership, sooner or later you will be compelled to engage and deal with this subject. A hobby horse for some, a pet peeve for others.
Levels of duty of care
If you are a professional guide and/or instructor, you have a duty to your clients to provide the best guidance, care and instruction. This includes being aware of their background, needs and preferences.
If you are a recreational leader, you should aspire to provide the same level of care as a Pro guide. But in reality, rec leaders provide these 'services' in exchange for personal gratification. Very personal gratification. The personal taxation of learning a whole new spectrum of new social novelties may test the recreational leader’s willingness to broaden their soft-skills.
If you are a recreational canyoneer engaging in peer-to-peer canyoneering trips, at the very least do some soul searching and make an informed decision on how this subject affects your safety and enjoyment of the sport.
How Diversity impacts canyoneering at different levels:
Safety
Instruction
Problem Solving
There are short and long examinations of how these 3 aspects of canyoneering get affected.
Short & Sweet
Safety: If you make someone unwelcome or uncomfortable, that is a distraction, and distraction hinders safety.
Instruction: If you make someone unwelcome or uncomfortable, that is a distraction, and distraction hinders learning.
Problem Solving: If you make someone unwelcome or uncomfortable, you become part of the problem, and your solutions get rejected, or undermined.
Usually, the number one culprit that creates an unwelcoming environment is unthoughtful humor or comments . Humor based on stereotypes or humor at the expense of other people.
Deeper Dive:
Safety
Varied Expertise: A diverse group may have a wider range of skills, such as wilderness first aid, navigation, or language proficiency.
Complementary Strengths: Individuals with different abilities and experiences can complement each other, ensuring that the group is better equipped to handle challenges.
Different Perspectives: A diverse group can provide unique insights and observations, reducing the likelihood of overlooking potential hazards.
Cultural Awareness: Individuals from diverse backgrounds may be more aware of specific environmental or cultural hazards, such as local wildlife or customs.
Reduced Groupthink: Diverse groups are less likely to experience groupthink, where a homogeneous group makes poor decisions due to a lack of dissenting opinions.
More Informed Risk Assessment: A diverse group can provide a more comprehensive assessment of risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Cultural Competence: Individuals from diverse backgrounds may be better equipped to navigate complex cultural situations, such as interacting with local communities or understanding cultural norms.
Role Models and Mentors: A diverse group can provide role models and mentors for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, encouraging greater participation and inclusion in outdoor activities.
Breaking Down Barriers: Diverse groups can help break down cultural, social, or economic barriers that may prevent individuals from participating in outdoor activities.
Problem Solving
Diversity improves problem-solving in several ways:
Unique Perspectives: Individuals from diverse backgrounds bring distinct experiences, knowledge, and viewpoints, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the problem.
Challenging Assumptions: Diverse teams are more likely to question assumptions and challenge each other's thinking, reducing the risk of groupthink.
Creative Problem-Solving: Diversity fosters creativity, as individuals from different backgrounds bring novel ideas and approaches to the table.
Hybrid Solutions: The intersection of diverse perspectives can lead to innovative, hybrid solutions that might not have been possible within a homogeneous group.
Reduced Bias: Diverse teams are more likely to recognize and mitigate biases, leading to more informed decision-making.
More Accurate Forecasting: Research shows that diverse teams make more accurate predictions and forecasts.
Improved Communication: Diverse teams learn to communicate more effectively, adapting to different styles and preferences.
Increased Empathy: Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds fosters empathy and understanding, leading to stronger relationships and a more positive team dynamic.
Global Reach: A diverse team can attract and retain top talent from a global pool, rather than being limited to a specific geographic or demographic area.
Competitive Advantage: Organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion are more attractive to top talent and have a competitive edge in the market.
By embracing diversity, organizations can tap into the unique strengths and perspectives of individuals from diverse backgrounds, leading to more innovative, effective, and sustainable problem-solving.
Instruction
Inclusive Curriculum
Diverse Role Models: Use outdoor leaders and role models from diverse backgrounds in educational materials and curriculum.
Culturally Relevant Examples: Incorporate examples and case studies that reflect the experiences and environments of diverse communities.
Accessible and Affordable Programs
Scholarships and Financial Aid: Offer scholarships, financial aid, or sliding scale fees to make outdoor programs more accessible to underrepresented groups.
Transportation and Logistics: Provide transportation options or assistance with logistics to help participants from diverse backgrounds access outdoor programs.
Culturally Sensitive Instruction
Awareness of Cultural Differences: Train instructors to be aware of cultural differences and adapt their teaching style to meet the needs of diverse participants.
Inclusive Language: Use inclusive language and avoid cultural or racial stereotypes in instructional materials and verbal communication.
Diverse and Representative Instructor Pool
Recruit Diverse Instructors: Actively recruit instructors from diverse backgrounds to provide role models and mentors for participants.
Training and Professional Development: Provide training and professional development opportunities for instructors to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Community Partnerships: Partner with community organizations, schools, and cultural centers to reach diverse audiences and provide culturally relevant outdoor programs.
Collaborations with Diverse Organizations: Collaborate with organizations that serve diverse populations, such as outdoor groups for people of color or adaptive sports programs.
Continuous Evaluation and Improvement
Feedback Mechanisms: Establish feedback mechanisms to gather input from diverse participants and instructors.
Regular Assessment and Evaluation: Regularly assess and evaluate outdoor programs to ensure they are meeting the needs of diverse participants and make improvements as needed.
By implementing these strategies, outdoor instruction can become more inclusive, diverse, and equitable, providing opportunities for people from all backgrounds to engage with and appreciate the natural world.
The spectrum:
When it comes to this subject, you may fall anywhere in a spectrum of personal choices. From an activist, or a believer, or an ally, or a simpatizer, or agnostic, skeptic, disagreement, denier, or all the way to….activist (as in anti diversity). If there is any lesson to be learned from Postmodern Social Theory is the notion of Spectrum:
…something, or suggest that it can be classified, in terms of its position on a scale between two extreme or opposite points.
Examine where do you fall in this spectrum and realize that is a subjective choice and examine just how much value you assign to your choice. Maybe this choice is becoming part of your own identity? It is more valuable than helping or hurting other fellow canyoneers?
So, closing the circle and coming back to the Martial Arts article:
Is Jui-Jitsu about martial arts skills? Or building a community? Or both?
Is canyoneering about safely exploring canyons? Or building a community? Or both?
And if the answer is both, does one needs to be prioritized? In your personal spectrum of values, how each one ranks in relation to each other?
Representation
When all the personal introspection and consideration for other fails, and it usually does , Representation has been the solution to bridge the gap and give underrepresented individuals a chance to experience more agency and inclusion during canyoneering trips and during instruction. This imperfect solution has brought its own set of issues, which merits a separated post.
Timing & Context
I drafted this post before the current debacle of targeting DEI government programs. By this time this gets posted, this subject is probably looming high on everybody’s radar. I considered canning this post for later, but it looks like I would have to delayed for a couple of decades. Hopefully canyoneering turns into a safe haven from identity politics.