person who was also apprehensive about going because he felt like he had never had any negative experiences as a person of color didn't come to the group photo. He is now pretty upset that he didn't come after seeing what transpired and hearing about it. Other comments were from those that are not of color, who don't understand the importance, or may not really get why people of color need to get together or why we feel the need to make it something. And you know for them, I try not to give it too much energy because I don't see how someone that's not of color can understand. If they are willing to see it as ‘people of color think it's important, then it must be and I just won't understand’, then that's one thing. But I know with things like this that are public there will be negative responses or feedback, and I'm OK with that.
To a POC interested who might be curious or interested in coming, what advice would you give?
One thing I'll say is that it has nothing to do about color, it's about being open to a new experience. Nobody can really understand or explain to them in the way that they’ll get it, but it will open doors in different ways for you. I think for any person that’s interested or curious then that's really all you need. Curiosity is the first step and you should explore those interests. Although my story may be inspiring and encouraging, it is not going to give you your story. It is not going to tell you what it's going to be like for you. But I will say that regardless if you go once and never want to go back again, or if you go once and you're going to be a burner for life, you're going to learn a lot about yourself and you're going to have experiences and thoughts that you would have never gotten unless you were there at Burning Man. Look at it as an investment in yourself and don't look at it as a vacation. Don't look at it the same way as, “I could go to Japan or Europe”, it's a completely different beast. I just say to do it that's all, do it. Then share your story. Burning Man is not for everyone and I'm not trying to get every person of color to come, but for those that would be an asset to the Playa, why shouldn't they experience it and why should they sit in their fears.
Erin Douglas is a lifestyle photography expert, creative travel blogger and travel advocate. Her work has been featured in Travel Noir, Ebony Magazine and Royal Caribbean. She has also published work in the NY Times listed book “Shut Up and Run” and has worked with brands like Treason Toting Co., Robin Arzon, and Kitchen Kray Empire, and Essence Magazine. Her blog Erin-Travels reaches a broad audience around the world on platforms that include Black Enterprise, HuffPost and her own blog at erin-sha.com on top of her Instagram page @aphotochick.