Corvallis Climbers of Color

An affinity group is a designated “safe space,” where everyone in that group shares a particular identity. This identity can be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, physical/mental ability, socio-economic class, family structure, religion, etc. Affinity groups can be a place for underrepresented people in a community to come together to feel less isolated and more connected. 

The CCOC Affinity Night is held every 4th Wednesday and we rent out our space to Corvallis Climbers of Color to create a safe space for those who are members of their group! Carving out a space where people can gather with others who look like them and share similar backgrounds can foster a sense of safety and belonging.

Only people who identify with that particular group can be a part of it. This is so that affinity group members can safely express their experiences without having to worry about others not understanding their experience because they are of another identity. 

In order to become a member of CCOC, one must fill out a survey form and sign the group agreement. 

Affinity groups are intended to bring people together over a commonality. We all benefit from interactions with people who share common identities or experiences. When you are in the numerical minority of a community, these bonding interactions may only occur during an affinity group. Affinity groups are only “exclusive” in order to create a safe space for people who may not feel safe in the larger community because they are in the numerical minority. During affinity climb nights, people can share freely and without inhibition about their experiences. This may make them feel more visible and more included in our community and in doing so, enhance our community's overall commitment to inclusivity. 

Affinity groups are one aspect of creating a diverse and socially just world. They create the safe space needed for people to build strength and pride. But equally as important are the collaborative efforts between different groups of people towards creating equity for all. Allies are people who do not identify with a certain affinity group, but want to support the equal rights of people from that group. Ally work and affinity work are both important aspects of creating social equity. 

Events like the CCOC Affinity Climb Night are key to diversifying the climbing community in Corvallis, in the greater PNW and in the US as a whole. Climbing, like many other outdoor activities, is not representative of the demographics of our country as a whole. According to the US census, around 40% of Americans—with the numbers rapidly growing—are nonwhite or hispanic. Yet nearly 90% of climbers are white according to the American Alpine Club’s State of Climbing report. From this, it is evident climbing and other outdoor activities do not reflect the racial diversity of the US.
 

By being advocates for diversity in the outdoors, we can contribute to creating a world where people of all backgrounds and walks of life have both access and opportunity to experience the power, beauty, and community that climbing has to offer.