As a "retired" setter I find myself wondering why some are now naming climbs in gyms..Silliness..or worse...while recently at a gym in VA one climb was named Slave Trade...does anyone else find this offensive?

As a "retired" setter I find myself wondering why some are now naming climbs in gyms..Silliness..or worse...while recently at a gym in VA one climb was named Slave Trade...does anyone else find this offensive?

As a "retired" setter I find myself wondering why some are now naming climbs in gyms..Silliness..or worse...while recently at a gym in VA one climb was named Slave Trade...does anyone else find this offensive?

First, why is "Slave Trade" offensive? Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

Naming gym routes is what it is. The setter just spent hours of their life making artificial moves on an artificial surface, and need to stamp it with their personality. So what? It's not like it will be there in a couple of months.

First, why is "Slave Trade" offensive? Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

Naming gym routes is what it is. The setter just spent hours of their life making artificial moves on an artificial surface, and need to stamp it with their personality. So what? It's not like it will be there in a couple of months.

Um...It strikes me as ignorant. Just like when I go to the grocery store and the aisle says "Oriental Food". Seriously? Its ASIAN. From ASIA. Not "the Orient." I dunno...some things, you just don't go there, imo.

I guess, but wasn't it also known as the "Orient" for a really long time? From the Latin for "East?"

As far as "Slave Trade" goes, well, I can think of countless self deprecating white person names that are just that, names.

Right. But "names" are a conduit to making people feel comfortable with looking down on other people, be it their skin color, religious beliefs or even sexual preferences. It may seem benign...but to me, you have to stand up for whats right. And...that ain't right.

I agree with that wholeheartedly, but will not allow myself to be upset over words. If someone chooses to be un-PC, that is their problem, not anything I need to be consumed by.

Bah...I'm a feisty chica. And also I have a WIDELY diverse group of close friends...so I take it a little more personally.

slavery has been a part of societies for thousands if not tens of thousands of years. the slave trade in itself does not target any one group of people. you can find slaves throughout history from any number of races, religions, and creeds. is it the nicest practice in the world? of course not. is it racially insensitive, not really. people need to stop feeling like everyone is stepping on their toes. if your feet hurt that much up size your shoe by half a size.

You're either tragically disconnected from the world around you or simply disingenuous to state that you can name something "The Slave Trade" in Virginia without it targeting a specific group of people.

Right. But "names" are a conduit to making people feel comfortable with looking down on other people, be it their skin color, religious beliefs or even sexual preferences. It may seem benign...but to me, you have to stand up for whats right. And...that ain't right.

thanks for all replies!...as one of your few african-american climbers I was not offended by the name per se...rather the thought of some white 20 something flippantly naming an indoor climb seen by young children and the odd person of color...how do you think this makes me feel? why not name a climb White Oppression? how about Stupid Nigger? Outdoor climbs..sky is the limit for naming...indoor...better check yourself honky

good to know that its ok to use the name "the slave trade" anywhere but Virginia, or the rest of the American south for that matter. Is it ok to use it in Egypt where slaves built the pyramids. Or in Italy where slaves fought to the death in the Colliseum. Or maybe the route setter was trying to be particularly deep and say that we often trade slavery for advances in industry and culture. Maybe without the slaves in the world there would not be a gym to set that route in today. Maybe the person is a racist biggot. Maybe its just a name for a difficult route that will cause alot of suffering. Maybe those who climb it will ask for a refund in the form of reparations for their time spent toiling in the gym. No one can state why the route setter called it that except for the route setter. If someone is offended by it they shouldn't climb it, or bring it up to the gym manager.

Anal Intruder Number Ten, Daily Dick Dose, Pumped Full of Semen, Red Neck Rail, Gaged and Bound, Hand Job Wall, The Vulgarians, Pulpit Pooper, Slap That Bitch.

Names from across the country. Climbs, groups, places. Climbing has, in its history a will to test bounds. A yearning to push limits. As climbers we push ourselves not only physically but we challenge ourselves to question the world and the moral practices within society. Naming climbs that push individual boundaries is not meant to be purely offensive. It is meant to solicit reactions and induce thought.
Rude, offensive, improper. Each of us sees the world as we believe it is. Perhaps the name of a climb brings up your own personal prejudices and makes us think, learn and move on to a more open way of being.

I find naming the routes helps in talking about them. And, provides some amusement. Instead of the discussion - "Did you try that red route on the left side of the back wall that is right of the nose?" You can say "Did you try 'John hates my arms?'" It's actually clearer than having them unnamed.

Not all names are great. But, why not name them?