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Be part of a conversation about news coverage of diversity, equity and inclusion in the North Country.
The Adirondack Explorer and North Country Public Radio are teaming up to do deeper reporting on diversity and inclusion issues across the region.
Join us at 12:30 p.m. Monday, July 31 at the Adirondack Center for Writing, 15 Broadway in Saranac Lake, for an informal, open discussion that will serve to launch our collaborative reporting on diversity and inclusion in the Adirondack region. We’ll also be joined by Tiffany Rea-Fisher of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative.
We’ll look at what’s being done to make the region more welcoming and safe for groups traditionally underrepresented in the Adirondacks. And we’ll explore what gaps remain and why some groups of people, especially people of color, may feel unwelcome or unsafe in the Adirondacks.
The North Country Adirondack region relies heavily on visitors to drive its economy. As its population remains mostly stagnant or declines, it’s critical for the region to attract new, more diverse residents.
But before our two media outlets begin reporting, we want to hear what you’re experiencing and seeing in your community. What should we be paying attention to in the next year ahead? What issues have we been covering successfully so far? What have we failed to include?
Registration is not required, but helpful. To register, click here.
If you can’t make the meeting, you can still participate and send us your feedback using this form. You’ll help us understand a critical issue facing our communities that will lead to better reporting in the Adirondack Explorer and on North Country Public Radio. Thanks!
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General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to editor
Nature preserve and trying to protect forests, but why try to bring more people to live here?? Then it creates more burden on environment, more building of homes, creates more demand on limited jobs. tourism is fine, but stop trying to increase population and above issues! already a housing shortage, lack of good jobs, crazy rents, more people will drive costs even higher!
Just make the adks a nice place to live and let it happen organically. All this effort to force things, never work and are usually met with resistance by others. Work on the economy and protecting our forests and it will happen naturally.
This is a very important issue and folks should welcome a discussion.
“We’ll look at what’s being done to make the region more welcoming and safe for groups traditionally underrepresented in the Adirondacks. And we’ll explore what gaps remain and why some groups of people, especially people of color, may feel unwelcome or unsafe in the Adirondacks.”;
Why do they feel unsafe? Are people in the Adirondacks attacking them? Can you show some examples? Would it help if the white people you’re uncomfortable around called black flies, biting flies? You should get help with your blancophobia.
Unwelcome because they see a Trump flag…It’s all about their political agenda and not based in reality.
Let’s not confuse racism with inclusion. By making this a race issue I am offended as well as many others that are infested in what you may have to say.
Convince people they have a problem so they can swoop in and save the day. That’s big government. I agree with what most have said here. I’m offended by the implicit labeling of those that live in the Adirondacks as being racist. Sure, there are some, but the vast majority are anything but. Yes, I’ve seen the rare Confederate flying (which under the 1st Amendment people have a right to do) and to that I say under my breath the same thing I say to this program. Idiots. Then as a Constitutionalist I remind myself that idiots have the same rights as I do.
Why do these people insist on creating a problem where there is none? Is it so they can create “solutions” to further their leftist socialist agenda?
Exactly…
The Adirondack Almanack is an arm of the Times Union, that explains a lot.
Pleased to see that most agree with what I perceive as the reality and not the false narrative. There is hope.
The fact that white people believe there is no racism in the area must be very comforting to the people of color and LGBTQ community.
How do you know what my race or sexual orientation is? Or are you trying to make my opinion fit the narrative? You’re doing more to make my point than disprove it. Thanks.
I am very comfortable with jumping to the conclusion about the people who have commented so far. The discussion should occur everywhere, not just in the north country.
So, JimS, you’re comfortable with ‘pre-judging’ people based on their color or a single online comment. Isn’t pre-judging just another word for prejudice? To steal a quote from Obi-Wan Kenobi on Star Wars Episode 3, ….”you have become the very thing you have sworn to destroy’.
That’s why discussions such as this should be applauded and not passed off as a waste of time. It was not a single comment that I based my judgement on, the same people comment on many different subjects and I am still very comfortable with my assumptions.
So, based on one’s race, sex, religion and sexual orientation a person must have only a certain opinion? By the way, it was my understanding that we were having a discussion. Or perhaps it’s only a discussion if everyone agrees? As to the comment on judgement, what happened to judging people based on the content of their character? (To paraphrase MLK)
I think this is a good discussion, thank you.
Is it just me or have these comments gone far afield? I think someone thought I was a person of color and suggested I get over “Blancophobia,” in spite of the fact that I am pretty white (except in the summer.) I support discussions, having an open mind and open heart.
What ‘exactly’ are we discussing here?
Please state some actual issues, or at least some kind of tangible proof that the majority of residents in the ADKS are NOT welcoming to each and every person, regardless of their skin color and/or sexual orientation, etc. If there is an actual bigotry/bias incident, it can be addressed/confronted accordingly, like the graffiti on the bridge issue, to which EVERYONE had condemned.
How about discussing how minorities/LGBTQ persons can ‘feel’ more comfortable in their own skin and instead magnify the beautiful environment/good people in the ADKS, allowing them to organically come here on their own initiative if they choose to, instead of placing the responsibility of how they feel on everyone else ? Is it partially because they are being told that the residents in the ADKs are racist and/or unwelcoming because there is a predominately white population? OR, could it actually be a personal issue?
True equality is treating everyone the same, regardless, without showing special treatment to any people group. It’s time we stop creating unnecessary issues and focus on directing tax money and other funding towards solving real problems- and not catering to people’s feelings which are as fickle as a weather vane twirling in the wind and never-ending.
You asked for actual issues, so here’s two for you. I live in the southern end of the park, northwest of Lake George village. Last week I was awakened by a guy yelling “f–k n—ers at 3:00 am while driving down the road. I also own property in Indian Lake. My neighbor next to me decided to play a song, who’s only lyric was ” I hate n—ers”, when my son brought up his native American friend to deer hunt. This guy is a retired corrections officer. When I confronted his behavior the guy threw 3″ construction screws in my driveway. He did that after the coward sold his property and moved out. Want to drive out racism, hate and bigotry, address it when you are confronted by it. You can’t let it slide and walk away or nothing will change.
And blacks call each other n–ers also. All the time.
Just saying.
There are some bigots sprinkled everywhere you go, in every state, including those who despise white people. (Yet, that seems permissable, right?)
If you think campaigns, committees and discussions are going to change people’s hearts, you are mistaken. This focus on marginalized identity groups is only magnifying issues and causing further division everywhere. I’d be totally for it, if I actually saw good results. But look around, turn on the news, go on social media– it’s clearly is NOT working! And when you can see something isn’t working, you don’t keep doing the same thing, thinking it eventually will . You change your course.
Something needs to be done to change peoples hearts if their hearts are full of hate for no reason. Discussions and campaigns can make a difference. It certainly won’t work on all people, however sitting by and saying nothing or pretending the problem doesn’t exist allows it to grow. We all need to call out racism and hate when we see it and discussions ,campaigns and committees can help us to find effective ways to do that.
There’s a whole lot of talk. A whole lot of funding. And a whole lot of profit, as well, as the new business model. Sometimes a solution is much simpler and doesn’t need committees, campaigns and endless discussions. After all, those who are leading these things and participating aren’t the perpetrators and the perpetrators are never going to join or listen, let alone change by being told to by others.
By continually focussing on what we don’t want, feeds it. Enter the the media’s- 24/7 negative news cycles. Imagine if it were the opposite and people were bombarded with even 12/7 positive news? There’d be some change. What you focus on influences and multiplies, regardless of it being negative or positive. YouTube videos with acts of kindness receive millions of views because people are sick & tired of all the negativity. If you want more diversity in the ADKs, stop magnifying bad behavior, targeting certain people groups etc, and emphasize all that is good, collectively.. Discuss positive behavior. Welcome all by showing why we all love it here, without lining the streets with flags representing any one people group. Stop pandering. Stop the labels. Stop forcing it, as if everyone here is racist and bigoted and residents need to show how much we are not. Stop perpetuating more victim mindsets and empower people by simply treating everyone the same, regardless of skin color or how one identifies .
I say it again. The strategies thus far are NOT working and driving people further apart.
Indeed. In my mind, the issue is not whether racism exists or if bigots exist in the Adirondacks, because they are everywhere. The question is, how comfortable are the bigots/racists in expressing their views in upstate NY? Are their views ignored, countered, or encouraged? The flags we fly by the road and the signage we display on our vehicles says much about us. Some people wish to advertise and push their views, others keep it to themselves. No right or wrong, but still a choice. Aggressive or passive-aggressive – both can be problematic.
Being “inclusive” can be a double-edge sword – who chooses who is “included”? Homogeneity in cultures and societies has never existed. Ideally in an open, inclusive society, all views should be accepted as what they are – views. Where we always get into trouble is placing more value on one view than another. Legislating thought, opinion, and action is always fraught with backlash and violence. But typically, the more we shut ourselves off from other views and hunker down in our opinions, the less inclusive we become. When we can no longer agree on truth, this is what powder-kegs are made of.
Yes-
When you get down to it, what is the reality? I truly believe there are far more people in the ADKS, who are genuinely good, kind residents, regardless of race, political affiliation, identity, etc. than those who are not. However, the ‘are nots’ always get the most attention.
If one is kind-hearted, they don’t need to wear a button on their shirt that says, “I am kind”. Likewise, if someone is generous, there’s no need to tattoo “I am generous” on their forehead, because their actions reveal it every day. My point is, collectively, we already do overshadow the negative. People will know they are welcomed, not by a perceived positive/negative sign or flag, but by how they are treated by the residents, in the towns, shops, restaurants, along the trails, etc…
YET, how a person ‘feels’ is on them because ‘feelings’ are not necessarily reality. One may ‘feel’ unwelcome because of a mindset or internal insecurity that they already have that gets triggered by seeing a flag, yet that does not mean it is a regional reality, except to them. Feelings are not necessarily truth and can change on a dime, particularly when one needs constant outer validation from others for who they are, and are not confident in their own skin. And truth be told, that is a big root of much of our current culture’s state of turmoil. Because when you are confident, have a sense of self-worth, and are secure in who you are, no one, no sign/flag and no outside ‘opinion’ can shake you or your emotions.
Amen!
The value of sites like this, and of discussions like the one held on Monday at Saranac Lake, are that they encourage people of many different backgrounds and viewpoints to feel welcome to share their cares, concerns, or just have a conversation in a safe place (thanks here to our editor Melissa).
My hope is that such opportunities will reduce feelings of hatred and distrust of our “enemies”, and rebuild the community spirit that will enable all of us, however different, to work together to fix our problems, elect honest, bi-partisan leaders, and make our democracy function the way it was intended to by the founders.
I think we Adirondackers are making progress. Here’s my evidence:
https://digitalworks.union.edu/ajes/vol24/iss1/4/
The saying on the banner scares the heck out of me. “Racism is a Public Health Crisis.” The reason is that if this “administration” decides that to be the case, then they can lower the hammer on Americans an mandate all sorts of mandates like they did during the China virus pandemic. They can take over our daily lives and take away our freedoms and liberties guaranteed to us by our Constitution. Then we become a totalitarian state and America is over.
Amen!
Susan says: “Why do these people insist on creating a problem where there is none? Is it so they can create “solutions” to further their leftist socialist agenda?”
I’d ask you to explain what you mean by this Susan but I doubt you will. It’s just words, your irrational way of exhibiting biased, illogical allegiance to party isn’t it?
I mean exactly what I said, with rational logic and allegiance to my country.
Nate says: “why try to bring more people to live here??”
Because the psychology of our elected officials, like it is for society at very large, is geared towards nothing less than money Nate. Think new tax havens!
Bill Keller says: “My neighbor next to me decided to play a song, who’s only lyric was ” I hate n—ers”
It’s a sickness Bill! It’s outright ignorance! It’s lots of things, but most of all it is a sign of how society (not wholly but generally), even with its advancements technologically, is regressing intellectually. We are in a backwards shift, heading more and more into, or not ever overcoming, a primitive state.
“when you can see something isn’t working, you don’t keep doing the same thing, thinking it eventually will”
Our politicians, some of them, have this above adage reversed down to a science. Repeating, over and over, an outright lie works!
Jim S says: “We all need to call out racism and hate when we see it and discussions, campaigns and committees can help us to find effective ways to do that.”
Yes, and let us begin with our leaders who have the most influence and who swim in lies and hate and racism. We know who they are, though I don’t expect we’ll go against party lines come hell, high water or a nuclear blast! We need to get past “I” first before we can ever put even a dent in racism! I don’t expect this will come anytime soon!
Susan says: “this “administration”…. can lower the hammer on Americans and mandate all sorts of mandates like they did during the China virus pandemic. They can take over our daily lives and take away our freedoms and liberties guaranteed to us by our Constitution. Then we become a totalitarian state and America is over.”
Yep. Those darn liberals taking away voting rights in poor communities across this great country of ours. Banning books. Taking away from public education. Pushing for public monies to go to private and religious schools. Going against corporations who support gay rights ……….and who can forget January 6, trying to hang the vice prez, assaulting police officers, etc., because they weren’t happy with their party’s loss at the polls. If this isn’t totalitarian what is? Those darn liberals!
Still drinking that Kool- Aid, huh?
Susan says: “I mean exactly what I said, with rational logic and allegiance to my country.”
When you convey, “Why do these people insist on creating a problem where there is none?” you can most assuredly imply this same language to whom you evidently support who, in reality, can give two hoots about you but which you’ll never see. You and I surely have more in common than an aspiring and unprincipled demagogue who glaringly lacks good sense, reason, foresight, intelligence, moral values, and so on…..all characteristics which one would hope would be in possession of one whom has control of “the button” , over so many of our lives not just yours!
“These people” right off the bat implies a bias from you, you radiate a false light; and when you say, “They can take over our daily lives and take away our freedoms and liberties guaranteed to us by our Constitution” you are most certainly right on the money! So whose side are you on?
louis curth says: “The value of sites like this are that they encourage people of many different backgrounds and viewpoints to feel welcome to share their cares, concerns, or just have a conversation in a safe place…”
Which is fine and dandy Louis, and thanks in large part to a ‘liberal’ psychology, which we can use more of; but you know…. one can talk until the sky turns purple, but when they talk nonsense, a non-existent place is where we end up!
“Racism is a Public Health Crisis.”
So is ignorance!
“Which is fine and dandy”: Thanks, Charlie, for underscoring my premise that safe places like this to share differing views are of value, and may just save us from our worst selves.
If our democracy is to survive, we need to stop yelling and start listening to each other. If we do that, we might be reminded that, like it or not, whatever circumstance of birth we were given, we are all in this melting pot of people TOGETHER!
Furthermore, Too many of us forget that a lot of people died to win a new right for the people here (white men at least) to elect their own leaders, without the need for kings and tyrants to do it for us.
Is our system perfect? Not by a long shot, but we can make it work better, if we will stop the hating and fact twisting, and start working TOGETHER to rid government at all levels, of the flim-flam artists who lie to the people to get elected and then get rich on all the dark money they get for selling us and our democracy out to the highest bidders.
W can fix a lot of what’s wrong if we work TOGETHER-