Black burners on race and Burning Man

Steven W Thrasher, a self-described "black burner" interviewed 20 burners of color on their experience at and motivations for attending Burning Man, where the population is 87% white and 1.3% black.

Jamila Reddy, Los Angeles, California/Que Viva! camp, three-time burner

Burning Man helps me to see ways in which were caught up in the Matrix, which is essentially these socially constructed sets of principles, such as racism and homophobia. When I open a magazine and I see 20 blonde white women, I say, Aha, thats the Matrix! Ive grown up believing I have a life of scarcity. And theres actually an abundance. Its helped me dream big, and to see that if you have a powerful idea, it can come to fruition. I want to draw big murals in cities. Why not? Look at whats going on out here. This is crazy - but its real.

Burning Man's black campers explain why they are the 1% [Steven W Thrasher/The Guardian]

(Image: Alexander Heilner)