The weeks after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis have been a revelation and a reawakening.  We have seen a revolution in this country taking the forefront; the anger, the passion, the lack of understanding; all have been boiling over in all corners of the nation.   In this writer’s humble opinion, totally justified and necessary.

During these weeks, I have recalled the memory of a seven-year-old boy moving from the multi-cultural inner city of Philadelphia to the mountains of western Virginia.  Returning home from the first day of school, I asked my parents, “Where are all the brown people?”  A reflection long rooted systemic racism of our broken society.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers and never will.  Nevertheless, I do know conversation, especially with our children, is a starting point.   You have to be ready and vulnerable, be uncomfortable, question your own moral standards.  It is an absolute moral imperative.

My son and I frequently run together as he is a budding cross-country runner.  Yesterday we finished a virtual 5K and much to my surprise, he titled his run “I Run For George Floyd” on his Strava account.  It was his way of honoring the man and reaching out.   It impressed me so much a connection had been made.  It was obviously top of his mind, and he was expressing the pain he felt.

Immediately it got me thinking about our adventures we take and the places we visit.  The national parks have always been a favorite for feeding our soul and need for outdoor adventure.   I think it’s time now to continue our education into systemic racism, both past and present, and see how far we still must travel.  Below are places, in no particular order, on our list for future visits including direct quotes from each about their mission.

• The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio – “We reveal stories about freedom’s heroes, from era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times, challenging and inspiring everyone to take a courageous step for freedom today.”

• The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee – “The NCRM is steadfast in its mission to share the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally.”

• The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio – “The museum is the permanent home of one of the nation’s largest collections of Afro-American materials, with over 9000 artifacts and artwork, 350 manuscript collections, and thousands of photographs.  Items include Alex Haley’s typewriter and his final draft of Roots, a buffalo hide coat worn by a Buffalo Soldier, Gregory Hines’ tap shoes, collections representing the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s, and a vast collection of Black dolls, including the recently donated Lillian Bartok Collection.”

• The John Rankin House and in Ripley, Ohio – “You can step inside one of the best-documented and most active Underground Railroad “stations” in Ohio and get the store of Ohio’s role in the abolitionist movement that set the stage for the end of slavery as well as the modern Civil Rights movement.”

• The National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington D.C. – “Taking about race, although hard, is necessary.  We are here to provide tools and guidance to empower your journey and inspire conversation”

There are just five geographical close to us in Columbus…five.  Some are very well known; the others maybe a bit more obscure.  The point being, you should do your own research and find locations in your part of the world to foster education and conversation.

Hashtag 59 promotes the spirit of adventure travel for ALL of us.  We do believe adventure is everywhere and is for everyone.  

Once again, we are presented with a point in history where we can become closer as humans.  Will we embrace the moment?  Can we listen?   Will we attempt to extend our arms and embrace our fellow citizen?   Simply supporting a tag line isn’t enough, but it’s a great starting point.  Action is what’s needed.  Getting involved.  Conversation.  We need to educate ourselves, educate our children, share a meal and just be better. 

Feel free to share other resources in the comments.

Jason M