There is a thing that happens when I run, or ride my bike, through New York City. Especially over the Brooklyn Bridge, and especially at sunset. It is a quick snapshot of calm between the chaotic bookends of Brooklyn and Manhattan, and there is nothing in the world like it. Simply, nothing. It is like your very first plane ride—the moment you emerge from above the clouds to realize that your city is only just dollhouses and Monopoly board roads. The colors are all pinks and navies and they light up the sky, bouncing off the bridge, and reflecting onto the Hudson. And in those moments, New York is the only city in the world.
It is not true, of course. New York is not the only city in the world. And I recognize that, throughout my life, I have held a pretty romanticized view of New York. My grandparents came from Jewish, German, and Puerto Rican immigrant families—each of whom moved to New York to live out the American Dream. They never left. Why would they? New York gave them everything.
It has been interesting to move back here as an adult and love on this city, while simultaneously realizing: my experience on this land is not the same as everyone’s experience on this land. Running and biking allows me to connect with place in a special way. Yet, my identity impacts the specific ways I engage with this place and all others, as well. For many people, riding or running through certain streets brings up painful memories of racist slurs yelled their way, attacks, or assaults. In light of recent, violent hate crimes against Asian and Asian American people, it’s even more important to remember this.
In my recent conversation with Dinée Dorame, we talked about the history of oppression, genocide, and violence against indigenous peoples that pervades the land throughout this country. Her words remind me that the land, for some people, symbolizes trauma. I don’t mean to imply that you can’t enjoy moving across the land, or that you must always be thinking of pain and oppression. You can love the land under your feet with all of your heart. I certainly do. But it’s a complicated love.
This spring, I call on myself (and everyone!) to not only celebrate the land and protect it, but to recognize how folks of different identities interact with it. As you run, bike, and move about the land (Lenape ancestral land for me), recognize that it holds different traumas, different histories, and different stories for everyone.
Podcast Episodes of the past month
Garrick Chan, Founder of Asian Athlete Spotlight, on fighting racism and stereotypes
Deep Dive: with the recent, violent acts of anti-Asian racism, Garrick’s words are even more important. I will go into the work that endurance athletes are doing to speak out against anti-Asian hate crimes in a separate section of this newsletter, so keep reading for that enlarged deep dive.
Dinée Dorame, on living her values as a Navajo woman in sports media
Deep Dive: While I appreciate all of Dinée’s insights, one topic we discussed was land acknowledgements at races. Dinée expressed that, while she finds land acknowledgements to be important, they do not go far enough. In a Runner’s World article by Taylor Dutch (also a past guest!), Dinée says race directors must “educate themselves on the all-too-often violent history of the land where the race takes place and acknowledge the resilience of Indigenous communities who live there today, before consulting with Indigenous leaders in the community who already have to process the history of racism.”
Mary Lytle, cofounder of Radical Adventure Riders, on challenging the gender binary in cycling and adventure sports
Deep Dive: It is one thing to create a gender-inclusive cycling and adventure sport community. It is another thing to explore the ways in which gender inclusivity connects with countless other topics, to write about it, and then to publish it in a beautiful and highly accessible magazine. Enter the Get Rad be Radical Publication. It explores topics such as the history of WTF (women, trans, femme) in cycling, fat bikers, meditation and medicine in cycling, and beyond! Learn more and purchase yours here.
Andy Kucer and C.C. Tellez on the Philadelphia Distance Run.
Deep Dive: I am beyond excited for the return of the Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR), a race that is sure to act as an absolute game-changer in the running community when it comes to equity and inclusion. Its initiatives include free bibs for low-income runners, priority given to BIPOC vendors, and a non-binary race division, all the way up to the elite level! I will keep sharing about this race as plans develop.
Announcements and Actions
1. The fight for trans-athlete inclusion in sports continues
I found this article, “Anti-Trans Sports Bills Are a ‘Solution’ to a Problem That Doesn’t Exist,” by Britni De La Cretaz to be particularly well done.
This one from January, “This is What is At Stake When We Talk About Transgender Athletes,” by Stephan Lane, is also worth a read. This article talks about the true benefits of inclusive sport. It also sights a wrenching fact: “over half of male transgender youth reported attempting suicide at least once, and 30% of female transgender youth.” The mental health benefits of youth sports are undeniable; that is what is truly at stake.
I included Chris Mosier’s transathlete.com in last month’s newsletter, but it really is a great resource for learning about and fighting anti-trans sports bills.
In early March, nearly 550 college athletes signed a letter, demanding the NCAA pull championships from states with anti-trans sports legislation. While the NCAA’s actions (or lack thereof) might not always give me hope, the actions of college athletes almost always do.
2. Brutal displays of racism against the Asian and Asian-American community, and where the athletic community fits in
Past Social Sport guest, Carolyn Su, shared some important resources on her Instagram page. Reposted below, she shares how to check in on your Asian and Asian American friends:
Carolyn Su also compiled some of the walks and runs happening in solidarity with the Asian/Asian American community. Notably, Running to Protest had an INCREDIBLE turnout, 1000+ at their powerful NYC run last weekend.
Ben Chan, another past Social Sport guest, has voiced his frustrations over the running industry’s inadequate response regarding the increase in hate crimes. Below is Ben’s Instagram post regarding the New York Road Runners’ response.
3. Every day is Earth Day (environmental announcements and organizations):
One of my favorite organizations ever is Sunrise Movement. Find a hub near you to help fight for a climate revolution, good jobs, and a livable future.
Trail Runner Magazine released their environmental issue in early March! Zoë Rom, Associate Editor and past Social Sport guest, shared her thoughts about the issue and people-centered environmentalism here.
4. Other announcements
Oiselle’s Bras for Girls program: For every In2Sports bra purchased, Oiselle donates a bra to a late-elementary or middle school girl in need. This is the age where some girls “stop participating in sports due to discomfort with their changing bodies. Oiselle's goal is to share educational content with a wide spectrum of girls and women about body development and how to accurately choose and fit a sports bra.” I recently bought two of these bras and let.me.tell.you—super comfy, super lightweight, and super compressive— all the good sports bra things. Plus, I supported two young, female athletes with my purchase. Win, win (This is 100% unsponsored, I just love what Oiselle is doing).
Togethxr, is a media and commerce company designed to highlight female athletes’ voices and fight the undercoverage of female athletes, founded by Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Simone Manuel and Chloe Kim. Read more in this NYTimes article.
What I’m writing/saying
I wrote this profile for Trail Runner Magazine on Cat Bradley, and specifically, her past year. If you’re not familiar with Cat, she was the underdog champion of the 2017 Western States 100-miler. Her past year provides quite the relatable lesson on burnout, and the power of taking a break.
I was a guest on the Bodies in Motion Podcast. We talk about bodies, athletes’ eating disorders, and more. At 40:50, I talk about the motivation behind Social Sport and movement as protest.
What I’m reading
We’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m teaching a creative writing class for NYU undergrads next semester, and working on a syllabus draft at the moment, so a lot of what I’m reading reflects that. One book I recently picked up is Black Nature, a collection of poetry edited by Camille T. Dungy. It includes four centuries of nature poetry, all written by Black poets. When we think about nature writing, we often overlook Black writers, so this book is both important and beautiful—a great Earth Day read.
What I’m obsessed with
Besides everything I’ve discussed above...I can’t stop watching this take on what it would look like if Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek worked for Moderna/Pfizer. I think it’s hilarious, and I’m not even a Schitt’s Creek person; I’ve never really gotten into it (sorry to those who are offended by the mere possibility of this)! I’ve also been re-watching New Girl when I have time, which isn’t often. It’s so stupid and problematic and I laugh-cry during every episode.
That’s it for now. The Social Sport Podcast is going on spring break next week. But don’t worry, it’s only for one week. And then, we will be back and BETTER THAN EVER with exciting guests and collaborations.
You can subscribe to the Social Sport Podcast, and follow Social Sport on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Feel free to slip into the Social Sport DM’s on Instagram, or send me an email at socialsportpod@gmail.com to let me know what you think of the show or newsletter!
Stay sporty & keep resisting,
Emma