Burning Man Project’s Radical Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Anti-Racism Pledge

What would it look like for Black Rock City and all of our global communities to be more radically inclusive and diverse? How can this help change society? Burning Man Project is on a journey to build a more educated and aware organizational culture, to create a framework for community engagement around this work, and to normalize a culture of an ever more inclusive and welcoming Black Rock City. We are so pleased to announce that we just published Burning Man Project’s Radical Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (R.I.D.E.) Anti-Racism Pledge. This pledge has been created by the Burning Man Project R.I.D.E. Stewardship Group and Advisory Committee as a guidepost for a more radically inclusive, diverse, anti-racist, and equitable Burning Man culture. To get involved and stay informed, learn about our Radical Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (R.I.D.E) work and head to our R.I.D.E. page.

At our collective best, Burning Man is a multicultural, open, inviting, and inclusive community. By bringing an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory lens into our strategies and work, we are strengthening these values, and helping to build the future we want to live in. 

We are inspired by the vision of the Beloved Community, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. We are building new pathways to make sure more people have the opportunity to participate in this community and are able to see themselves in Burning Man. We are working to expand the participation of BIPOC communities, and to foster diversity in our policies, programs, and processes within our organization and our events.

Read our full R.I.D.E. Anti-Racism Pledge on Medium: Beyond Burning Man

The goals and actions in this multi-year pledge are universal. They apply to Burning Man Project’s year-round work and global community, including our annual event in Black Rock City. We commit to evaluating our work against this pledge, to identify ways we can take an anti-racist stance in the world, and to expand our efforts to other marginalized communities and groups. We hope you are inspired to take action in your communities too. 

Cover image of Center Camp, 2019 (Photo in graphic by Kate Beale)

About the author: Burning Man Project

Burning Man Project

The official voice of the Burning Man organization, managed by Burning Man Project's Communications Team.

7 Comments on “Burning Man Project’s Radical Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Anti-Racism Pledge

  • Burning Man Project Communications says:

    Reminder: Burning Man Project has a responsibility to maintain this space for the benefit of all participants, to ensure that comments serve to enhance the experience of our visitors, rather than cause harm. While spirited conversation is welcome, unruly and rude behavior is not. Posts that are harmful to others or run counter to the spirit of civil discourse may be removed.

    Please review our COMMENT POLICY here, then comment with care: https://journal.burningman.org/comment-policy/

    Report comment

  • Al Polito says:

    Regarding your statement, “We are working to expand the participation of BIPOC communities, and to foster diversity in our policies, programs, and processes within our organization and our events,” what, specifically, are the measures you are taking, and how are you going to measure success? Without stating these things, Burning Man avoids accountability and transparency. This is how we do Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion out in the Default World, and there’s something to it! :-)

    Report comment

  • BobC says:

    It is great to see the the BM Org and community actively embrace the quest for true equality that the rest of America seems to continue to struggle with for hundreds of years.

    I am just curious, based on what I read in the R.I.D.E. pledge regarding an increased outreach to BIPOC camps and communities, does this mean that affirmative action will be coming to the playa in the form of prioritized placement of BIPOC camps and tickets to BIPOC participants?

    Report comment

  • Rob Lee says:

    I have never witnessed in the past ANY racism at BM or lack of inclusivity.

    Report comment

  • Amy says:

    Measured and attainable goals both short and long-term as BM moves in an even more intentional direction of inclusivity can keep the community grounded and rooted. One way to foster community and outreach is through language. Perhaps the JRS and the burning man.org website can be translated into various languages. Indeed a huge undertaking but… “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”
    Nelson Mandela
    Beautiful work ahead :)

    Report comment

  • Comments are closed.