Are only Caucasians nudists?

Baby Lumpkin · #1 03-02-2002, 06:52 PM

The AANR Bulletin always displays photos of White people. Are there no Black nudists?
No Asian nudists? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

Baby Lumpkin · #2 03-02-2002, 06:52 PM

The AANR Bulletin always displays photos of White people. Are there no Black nudists?
No Asian nudists? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

SirronD · #3 03-15-2002, 03:27 AM

I am a Black American Naturist, but I know of very few others. I have seen very few Blacks at nude beaches, or in naturist clubs. And I have never seen a Black naturist family.

Am I the only one? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] (retorical question only. I know that there are more!)

naked bob · #4 03-15-2002, 07:08 PM

SirronD
I have always wondered what the deal is about this. Is it trurely a cultural thing? I have been to most if not all of the nudist venues in southern California, a fairly culturally diverse part of the U.S. In that time I have only seen a few black people and only one black couple. I have seen one or two asian couples and a couple of hispanic ancestry of course I am making assumptions based on my observations, striking up conversations with strangers in the nude is often easily misinterpreted.

I wonder why black families and couples and even black women are so poorly represented? My limited experience with the black friends that I have is that they are very gregarious outgoing friendly and highly social. So what is the deal?

I believe one of the greatest strengths of our country is our diversity. Imagine how much more acceptance we would have with a little more ethnic diversity.

SirronD · #5 03-16-2002, 05:03 AM

I believe that mountian man's hypothysis is correct. It has to do with religious and cultural values.

Many of the Africans who were captured and brought to the Americas (and survived the middle passage) had tribal customs where nudity was the normal practice. However, nudity was absolutely forbidden by the puritan practice of Christianity in the Americas. Slaves who removed their clothing were beaten (and killed). Additionally slaves were forbidden to speak in their native languages. Writing was forbidden. And all religous practices other than this puritanical version of Christianity were forbidden. It only took a single generation for the entire cultural history of the Africans (including customs of dress - or undress) to be completly lost to the slaves. Absent their own culture and customs, there was only the "Puritan" American Christianity to fill the void. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

The taboo against nudity is the first lesson taught by Christian and Islamic missionaries to any "Tribal" conquest. Africans, the Indigenous Americans, the Indegenous of the various Pacific Islands all learned this taboo first. And it was taught that nudity equals savagery and ignorance, without exception. The civil and intellegent wear clothes.

I do not speak for all Black Americans, but only for myself. But this is what I believe based on what I have studied and learned.

For me, naturism is a way to connect with my distant ancestors, and my past (past, past) culture.

And I love the feeling of the sun on my skin. It is how it should be. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

David77 · #6 03-17-2002, 04:42 AM

SirronD,
Thank you for your great post on 3-16-02.
Some "whites" want a darker tone to their (beige) skin, so they get a deep tan from the sun (or purchase some "tan-in-a-bottle"). Some "blacks" want a lighter tone to their skin, so purchase, at Walgreens Drug Stores, some skin lightener cream - and STAY OUT OF THE SUN. Do you think that this latter has anything to do with keeping African Americans from enjoying the sun at naturist resorts?

On our vacation, a woman friend, who was African American, was in our small group at Acapulco and she was very particular in avoiding the sun as she stated that she was avoiding getting a dark tan.

(Of course, proper sun screan can control, for ALL of us, the amount of tanning and skin cancer).

SirronD · #7 03-17-2002, 06:30 AM

This (staying out of the sun to keep from becomming dark) is not unique to Black Americans. It is such a problem in some African countries that the skin bleach products (the ones available at Walgreens here) have been outlawed (the products are very dangerous with prolonged use). It is also an issue with South Asians (with an entire color based caste system still in place in India!!), people from the Pacific Islands, people from South and Central America... Basically anywhere, where the darker people are marginalized, to the benifit of lighter people.

Watch any typical movie or TV program (worldwide). The handsome guy will 98% of the time be White. The beautiful girl will 98% of the time be White. Only when a program is targeted to an specific audience will there be a non white character that is specifically signified as being handsome or beautiful. (I ABSOLUTELY am NOT saying the Whites are not beautiful, but rather that the rest of us are also beautiful).

So while growing up and watching TV "everybody" beautiful is white. And remember that this was also what your parents and grandparents saw.

Unfortunately, many dark people (of various races) believe that lighter is more appealing. Even worse is that they continue to teach that ligher is more appealing (even to showing favoritism to lighter children).

Old style IQ tests for children previously asked the question: "Which is the most beautiful?" This was a multiple choice question, with two images to select your answer. One image was the face of a thin white woman. The other image was the face of a larger dark woman. The "correct" answer was the thin white woman. Anyone who found the larger dark woman as more beautiful was marked as less intellegent.

Note: there is also size as well as color/race discrimination.

But this issue (not wanting to get dark) does not keep people (in general) from enjoying naturism specifically. But rather from any contact with the sun (including textile beaches). Specifically, they (those who don't want to get dark) don't want their faces and arms (as that is all that is exposed in the clothed world) to get dark.

So indoor activities durring the day become the norm! And you only go out at night.

One thing I appreciate about Naturism is the teaching of body acceptance. Color is a part of my body. When I go into the sun, I get darker. This is natural. This is my body, doing what it was designed to do. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

David77 · #8 03-17-2002, 09:53 AM

SirronD,
Thank you for your reply to my question. I was especially moved by your last paragraph about body acceptance in naturism (which, hopefully, we all strive for).

BigTim · #9 04-07-2003, 02:49 PM

I was just looking at some older postings and noticed this topic.

I just thought I'd mention that at Haulover Beach where we frequently go, there are many people of all different colors, which is a good representation of the diversity of South Florida.

Actually, the "mother" of Haulover Beach, in other words the woman who pushed for the creation of the clothing optional section and who continues to lead the movement both locally, statewide, and nationwide is African-American.

florida-david · #10 04-07-2003, 07:16 PM

i think most american nudists are white folk, but than again, it would seem to me that most of the american population looks white. the truth is, its hard to tell who's actually white any more as society is loosing its prejudice and becoming more mixed. my wife is korean, my two boys are 1/8 swiss, 1/4 german, 1/4 other, and 1/2 korean. my daughter (adopted) is 100% korean.

the population of miami is varied. this was not the case when i was growing up in ft. lauderdale. i love the mix, its good for everyone. so come no matter what your mix.