I'm a bald black guy who runs. Would this scare you?

[Anonymous]

If i were you, would wear a good, high necked running jacket, a good warm hat, and a separate neck scarf. The balaclava might scare me no matter what race you are, but unfortunately as a black man you need to be extra careful. It’s not fair, but true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you dress on running gear? If anyone running up behind me looked like they were exercising, I'd be more relaxed but someone was wearing regular street clothes jogged up behind me, I'd panic a bit. I'm an assault survivor and I have no qualms about crossing the street or whatever if my fight or flight kicks in.

PP meant to clarify baklava+running gear ok; baklava+street clothes+running maybe not ok

It might be hard to eat baklava in a balaclava

This thread is making me hungry. Funniest auto correct!

[Anonymous]

If you’re wearing a full-face balaclava I can’t see what race you are but I would go to highest alert because you are a solo man, with covered face, in motion towards me. Don’t care if you’re wearing running clothes or not.

Thanks for asking, but you are going to freak out female runners, especially solo ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the style. If you wear one that covers your face and leaves openings for just your eyes, yeah, that would set me on high alert (but not because you're black, I'd feel the same way about a white man wearing one). If you wear one with a complete open face, I wouldn't think twice about it.

This! But I don't think I have ever seen someone where a Balaclava except on a ski slope. Or on tv/movie robbing a bank, raping someone, etc.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

DC doesn't get cold enough to need a full face balaclava for running. You'd overheat in a flash. A skull cap that covers your ears is sufficient to stay warm and not look like a B-movie whodunit cliche.

[Anonymous]

https://www.indy100.com/article/woman-share-what-they-would-do-men-curfew-sexism-reaction-twitter-8567791

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the style. If you wear one that covers your face and leaves openings for just your eyes, yeah, that would set me on high alert (but not because you're black, I'd feel the same way about a white man wearing one). If you wear one with a complete open face, I wouldn't think twice about it.

+1

Honestly, almost every woman is on at least "medium alert" when running solo and they encounter an unidentified man. After time, you might be someone people recognize as "balaclava man" but if it's not a dude I regularly see on the trail during my runs, I will always be a little nervous and guarded. And if people can't see your face, they can't recognize you as the familiar guy they see running every Friday morning.

It genuinely has nothing to do with you being black - and everything to do with you being a man. Because the fact remains is that while 99% of men aren't going to attack a woman running, the person who does, will be male, and not female. So we're going to be cautious about strange dudes. And many of us have known someone who was assaulted.

We have a balaclava man around town but since he does it in all weather people think it’s sun protection related.
Op, maybe you can put a sticker or something like a favorite team, paw print or star on it

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately OP, I do think that if I passed you on an isolated part of the trail, yes, I'd be afraid. Probably of any man. But yes, also of you.

[Anonymous]

We have a guy like this in our neighborhood too. He sent an email to the listserve saying he wears comic characters balaclavas due to skin issues with the cold. So I say go for it but don’t wear a black one. Get some fun ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the style. If you wear one that covers your face and leaves openings for just your eyes, yeah, that would set me on high alert (but not because you're black, I'd feel the same way about a white man wearing one). If you wear one with a complete open face, I wouldn't think twice about it.

+1

Honestly, almost every woman is on at least "medium alert" when running solo and they encounter an unidentified man. After time, you might be someone people recognize as "balaclava man" but if it's not a dude I regularly see on the trail during my runs, I will always be a little nervous and guarded. And if people can't see your face, they can't recognize you as the familiar guy they see running every Friday morning.

It genuinely has nothing to do with you being black - and everything to do with you being a man. Because the fact remains is that while 99% of men aren't going to attack a woman running, the person who does, will be male, and not female. So we're going to be cautious about strange dudes. And many of us have known someone who was assaulted.

Sad but true. As long as said man minds his own business I write him off as a non threat. Basically, don’t run behind me at the exact same speed within striking distance and we’re fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my middle age, I've become even more sensitive to cold - to the point of regularly wearing a hat while lounging at home - I've long conceded in the thermostat war with DW.

I run a lot and the winter months are especially hard on bald men (at least they are on me). I mostly run at a nearby park where there are other runners/walkers, but some areas of the park are pretty isolated. A friend recommended I wear a balaclava to help retain my body's heat.

I like the idea, but I am sensitive to the sometimes nefarious use of balaclavas. I don't recall seeing other runners wearing them (but I can't say I've paid attention to it, either) and I would hate to scare people away from enjoying the park. Would someone wearing a balaclava on a trail bother you, or am I overthinking this?

Thanks!

DH fits your stats and is 6’4”. There’s always someone who is scared —even when he’s in a suit. You could wear a hat, but you also can’t accommodate everyone’s fears.

[Anonymous]

Not scary in running clothes. Scary in street clothes. Race irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

I don't think your bright to run in isolated areas, but why would I care what you were dressed in? You aren't bothering me. Enjoy you runs.

[Anonymous]

The bald part might bother me, but only if I was dating or marrying you.