[pct-l] Pygmy's PCT View

[Trail Pygmy]

For what it's worth... I think that ya'll need to "Cowboy Up!". It's nice 
and all to have trail angels/devils do swell things for ya but to be so 
dependent on them is weak. I was raised in a predominantly racist state 
(Mississippi) back in the 60's and 70's. Many places I've gone to also are 
racist... some were not. My point is that I have become accustomed to NOT 
being welcome. It doesn't bother me. It's the way it is. Last year on the 
trail I came across it on an occasion or two. Mild but obvious. There are 
not really many colored folks on the PCT. I'm an anomaly. But I did run 
across some really awesome folks that were genuinely caring and non-bias. 
The Andersons and Ziggys were wonderful. Several hikers were pretty 
blatantly biased toward my skin color. They even tried to charge their room 
and meals on my credit card. Lame! But this is America. And we are still 
struggling with these issues of ignorance.

The PCT is a wilderness experience. Perhaps I should say, was a wilderness 
experience. Ignorance comes in all skin colors. Education and understanding 
take effort. The PCT is a wonderful teacher. Perhaps a few less trail 
angels/devils and a few less welcoming towns are just what are needed. 
Perhaps people of "fair" skin color can get a taste of what many "colored" 
folk have lived with all their lives.

Now if we can just lobby fer them handrails and info boxes... perhaps 
wheelchair access. Really now. Cowboy Up!!!

Pygmy

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