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August 5, 2013

The Role of Media & Diversity: Sticking Out Like A Sore Thumb

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I was at a press event with a little over 35 other travel writers, bloggers, and brand representatives. I was talking to a travel writer about Japan, extremely curious about it because it is one of the places my family and I want to travel to soon. I asked her what her experience was like. In my question, I was thinking about the food, the pace, the language challenges, and even the cost. She answered that it was fast paced, and crowded, and a bit overwhelming at times. But then she added, “It’s weird. Imagine sticking out like a sore thumb because you are the only white person around. It’s just unsettling.”

And as she continued to talk I wondered if at any point it would dawn on her that I didn’t have to imagine being the “only one” because I was, at that very moment in time, experiencing just that. In a room full of over 35 people, I was, in fact, sticking out like a sore thumb. And though I didn’t find the experience unsettling, I do find it interesting that no one else seemed to notice.

But I have to wonder: even if people notice, would it matter? Would they care?

It was 1987 and I was walking through the streets of Milan and men and women would stop, stare, point, call out, and even reach out and touch my skin. They asked me where I was from. Where I got my tan. Most of them said I was beautiful and ogled. I remember walking into a gelateria packed with skiers returning from their holiday at Madonna di Campiglio, and being the only one of color. The room went from a loud hustle and bustle noise to a softer whisper as women looked me up and down and men locked their eyes on me.

At 17, I found the experience fascinating. Little did I know how different it would feel now.

Little did I know how frustrating it would be to walk into a room of my peers and not find one single person who is Latino, or of color. How annoying it would be to attend conference after conference after conference and rarely see a person who looks like me or shares my heritage or culture speak on a panel of professionals aiming to talk to other professionals like myself.

Little did I know how sad it would be to be the only one, when I know there could potentially be so many more.

People underestimate the power of representation of self anywhere, but especially in the media.

As a travel blogger, I get frustrated with travel media, because unless it is purposefully targeted to a specific ethnic group, there is rarely ever any diverse ethnic or cultural group represented. Let’s not even go into age and gender, because then I will just want to cry.

How do we inspire members of our community to take on the world, break past cultural norms and sexists traditions to embrace travel and adventure just like anyone else if there is no one out there like us doing it or speaking to us?

When I write about the journey I took on to travel and make blogging my career, I hope that it impacts anyone and everyone who needs to hear the message – regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. My writing is for everyone and I want people to feel welcomed when they visit my site.

But when I talk about what is it like to be a girl in the Latino culture, and what it means to have the courage to be outspoken and adventurous, fearless and ambitious even when growing up among a group of conservative and religious Latino immigrants, there is a specific person that I am hoping to reach.

There is a girl, somewhere out there, being told by her Latino mother and father, what her responsibility and role as a woman is. She is being raised to conform to a set of beliefs and traditions that make up a huge part of who she is, both historically and culturally. She is struggling with the fact that to pursue her individual dreams might go against culture and potentially shame her and her family.

How do you inspire her when her reality is not even something you can grasp, and when your reality is not even something she can relate to? Such is the role of diversity in media. It is to represent and speak from a place that others who don’t have a voice can feel is being heard.

Girl Gone Travel

I don’t often target specific groups in my writing, but the fact that I am a Latina travel writer in a space dominated by white men and women is not lost on me. The reality that there are other little girls that will have to go through similar cultural struggles before they have the courage to pursue their dreams and that I can be a source of inspiration to them is not something I take lightly. And I am not alone. I believe that deep in our hearts we all think of someone, even when writing to everyone.

Though there are many talented non-minority travel bloggers out there, many deserving of the accolades and recognition they have garnered, and though I don’t believe in throwing anyone a bone just because they are a minority, I do think that those in the media, in the business of conference coordinating, and in campaign organizing, must work harder so that the message goes further and reaches a wider audience.

I don’t have to travel to Japan, or Italy, or anywhere far from home to stick out like a sore thumb. I can simply go to an event, or a meeting, or a conference. Except no one else seems to really realize or care, because everyone else is too enraptured in their own comfort zone to notice. In the meantime, someone is left unreached, unspoken to, underrepresented, and uninspired.

We have a responsibility to do better, to try harder, and to be more aware so that sticking out like a sore thumb becomes less and less of a common reality for many of us.

 

 

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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10 Comments
  • mikaela walker
    August 5, 2013

    I have traveled to many places around the world, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, where I was the only one who looked like me. I am a black female and while I might have stuck out like a sore thumb, I found the people to be welcoming. People would sometimes approach me and ask me where I was from, and they were always surprised when I told them that I was American, but I never had any problems. I would say that I have had more problems sticking out like a sore thumb at home. I am conscious of it, but I don't let it define me.
    My recent post Hershey Lodge: A Great Place to Stay

    Reply
    • caincarol
      mikaela walker
      August 5, 2013

      That's wonderful Mikaela! I have never had any "problems" either – traveling or at home, among my peers, or among strangers. I am doing well at what I do. I don't see where I communicated that I have had problems, or was mistreated, or that I am burdened, or limited, or defined, or confined, or referred to the topic at hand in any way that would be negative or argumentative – because the feeling of threat or the sense of limitation is not even being addressed here. At all. And I am not sure that this is about you or me, personally. You might have missed the point I am addressing here, which is much larger and goes beyond what your or my personal experiences are. Hope you can see that.

      Reply
  • Erika
    August 5, 2013

    I appreciate this, especially as a "minority" traveler. I actually appreciate other expats who are white and go to places outside of Europe because I feel like they come back with a much higher awareness of what it's like to be a person of color EVERY DAY and IN THE COUNTRY YOU WERE BORN IN! When you're a minority, you're born an outsider and there are many more/different obstacles to overcome before you get to the same starting point that most people have. I do believe that travel is a privilege and so I am happy that my life has allowed me to do it, but I also see what you're saying… most people don't want to be pioneers — they want to know that it's okay, that they will be safe (at least relatively). Seeing more people who look like them doing those things that have normally felt out of grasp is so incredibly powerful. Thank you for speaking up and saying something — it is much appreciated. 🙂

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Erika
      August 5, 2013

      Thank you, Erika! Yes, exactly. It is really powerful. I appreciate your comment as well : )

      Reply
  • Shana Manuel
    August 6, 2013

    Thanks for this piece, Carol. You do a great job of turning what most would deem a controversial and argumentative subject into a message of hope and inspiration.
    My recent post Explore Filipino Culture in Manhattan’s Little Manila!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Shana Manuel
      August 6, 2013

      Thank you Shana!

      Reply
  • Mikaela Walker
    August 6, 2013

    Maybe I did not convey what I meant correctly. I meant to say that I agree that we do not need to be limited by race or by sex. Even though there weren’t many people like me around when I was traveling it didn’t stop me from doing it and I don’t want it to stop others like me. I want my daughter and my niece to feel free to explore the world and learn from it. I hope this better expresses what I meant.

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Mikaela Walker
      August 6, 2013

      Thanks for the clarification Mikaela. I think that your daughter and my children, and many others who embrace travel, whether as a profession or a lifestyle are fortunate in that they already have a source of inspiration for their dreams and goals. Not too many others are as fortunate, and without access to diversity in media (which is easily something many people have access to), there aren't too many voices to frequently remind them that they can. It's easy to think that due to the circumstances of our own reality and even our own personal achievements that others simply need to overcome and be go-getters of their ambition. It's sweet in theory, but, like others have mentioned, the representation of self is a powerful influencer, especially for those who don't have the luxuries that we or our children do. Thanks for reading and for your comments!

      Reply
  • Jessie
    November 5, 2014

    As a female hispanic blogger I can totally relate! I too stick out like a sore thumb just about everywhere I go or just about everywhere “we” go as a family! Like you, it won’t stop us from traveling and living our life to the fullest, but it’d be nice to see lots more diversity!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Jessie
      November 5, 2014

      You know I agree!

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

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These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

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There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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