Paddling should be a liberating experience for the Black community. Illinois has miles of navigable waterways that offer many opportunities for spiritual and ethereal exposure to nature. My own adventures on our local waterways have inspired reconnection and ancestral reflection. As the celebration of Black History Month ends and spring approaches, it’s time to prioritize enriching, tailored programming for our communities to facilitate fresh perspectives on our city and its history. What water represents is nuanced for the Black community and most ethnic groups. For some, water and the navigation of it can be triumphant and positive; others may find the experience ominous and disempowering. Inequities affecting access to water recreation for the Black community drive this complexity — rooted as they are in trauma and the legacy of racist laws, policies and practices.
The post Lillian Holden: How can we empower Black Chicagoans to embrace water recreation? Chicago Tribune Op-ed appeared first on Openlands.
The post Lillian Holden: How can we empower Black Chicagoans to embrace water recreation? Chicago Tribune Op-ed appeared first on Openlands.