I live in a city where race relations and gentrification are real, everyday issues - even more so over the past few weeks as one of the epicenters of the #BLM protests. DC isn't ski country, where by and large the populations are white and fairly self-selected. I'm a native of one of the least diverse states in the union (though it's become far more diverse since I left it 27 years ago). So my perspective on the issue is definitely colored by this (no pun intended).
As you can tell by my userpic, I'm white. I'm also the Head Coach of an alpine racing program that has its share of nonwhite athletes and families, from Black to Asian, Indian to Middle Eastern and North African, and everything in between. I'd say at least 30 percent of my program's athletes would identify as nonwhite as a conservative estimate.
I always approach coaching as trying to teach and connect with a fellow human, person to person, regardless of race, color, sex, or sexual identification. But I have seen a lot of instances of systemic cultural racism and sexism within the alpine racing community, as an athlete, coach, and official. It's extremely frustrating to go to Team Captains' Meetings and have it full of white men like me. USSS has made a conscious effort to bridge the sexism gap over the last few years through "strongly encouraging" jury members and course setters to be women, but it's just a suggestion and often falls on the deaf ears of inertia.
A few seasons back I had the privilege of coaching two Black ski racers who were incredibly dedicated to the sport, and whose family was all-in with supporting their kids and my coaching staff. The athletes worked hard - some of the strongest, most focused kids I've ever coached - and one of them was ascending through the ranks of USSS' Eastern division (as much as one can in Pennsylvania, was borderline academy material), and her white teammates welcomed her with open arms. And their family was among the upper earners of families on the team: they were successful through hard work and passed along that work ethic to their kids.
But there were some families that still had, shall we say, "southern leanings." You'd see the Confederate battle flag stickers on their cars and keychains. There would be side-eyed glances at team meetings. And at races, the chatter was quiet yet audible.
These athletes didn't let this deter their commitment to the sport, and their parents were honestly some of the best I've seen come through our program. They were leaders, they inspired other families to lead as well. And the families who disapproved? Most are no longer with my program. And the two athletes now attend Ivy League schools where they are both high academic achievers and leaders.
I coached another athlete of Indian descent who became a great FIS racer, even traveling solo to races outside of PA to get starts (our program doesn't have the staffing or budget to dedicate a coach for a single racer's pursuits). For her, she had to battle cultural obstacles from within her family: one parent wanted her to continue pursuing her ski racing in college (and to possibly race for India in the 2018 Winter Olympics), the other felt ski racing was a fad and that academic pursuits should be the only focus. Sad to say, this athlete with a good FIS point profile went the academic route (though she's excelled in college and still finds time to ski, if not run the gates). I often got the vibe that the academic-minded parent saw ski racing as a culture that wasn't suitable for their child. And while I never heard any racist rumblings, I wouldn't be surprised if they did exist.
One of my overarching goals as a coach is to help my athletes achieve to their highest level. This means I have to be an ally for all of them, and especially for those who aren't part of the predominant alpine racing culture. I have to fight doubly hard to get them the same seat at the table. It's not easy when you're easily labeled as part of the problem, which as a white, middle-aged male I certainly am at first glance.
That there is a lack of diversity within alpine ski competition is an elephant in the corner of the room that will not be fixed immediately. There are many players deep within the USSS who, knowingly or not, perpetuate this culture. The barriers to entry into the sport are both financial and cultural, and addressing both issues will take a healthy dose of humility, listening, understanding, and reform - including changing some of the folks in charge, like it or not.