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Ski Association speaks out about racist commentary

Photo via Flickr Creative Commons by Ruth Hartnup

A ski industry trade organization condemned what it called “offensive and racist language” used by the board chair of the National Ski Patrol, but the NSP has refused to accept his resignation.

In a recent commentary published in the National Ski Patrol Magazine, Brian Rull shared his experience on a flight sitting next to an Asian woman.

“I was unfortunate enough to sit next to an Asian woman who coughed the entire flight and postured as if she had emphysema,” Rull wrote. “A few days later, I had the same. It took two Z packs and a predisone dose pack before what I beat ailed me. I would like to think I’m a COVID-19 survivor, but I am too stubborn and would prefer to spend my money on something fun versus a COVID-19 antibody test.”

Many readers denounced the reference to the Asian woman, with one commenter saying “pointing her out as Asian reinforces stereotypes of the ski industry as catering to clueless white bro types.”

The National Ski Areas Association expressed its disapproval to Rull’s comments in an open letter to its membership from president and CEO Kelly Pawlak.

“NSAA has expressed its disappointment in the use of this language to both Mr. Rull individually and to the NSP Board of Directors as a whole,” Pawlak said. “We have formally asked the NSP Board for corrective action to address this mistake, including committing to reflection and a path forward where NSP demonstrates leadership on inclusion.”

The National Ski Patrol also has derided the remarks and said it would “re-examine where we are, and the best way to move forward toward a more inclusive organization.”

“Brian is horrified by the poor choice of words, understands their hurtful nature, has apologized and takes sole responsibility for his actions, the group said. “Our Board echoes Brian’s public apology, as his words do not reflect what the Board believes or what the NSP stands for.”

The NSP says it has rejected two different offers by Rull to resign, including one this month. It called the mistake the result of “sloppy editing” and said it considered his “long and consistent” record of service along wit his ” renewed commitment to his goals of diversity” when declining to accept his resignation.

Ski Area Magazine recently reported that

Ski Area Magazine recently reported that

Ski Area Magazine recently reported that Meegan Moszynski has since resigned as Executive Director of the National Ski Patrol. However, the NSP denies her resignation has anything to do with Rull’s remarks.

“We’d like to be loud and clear in setting the record straight: These are distinct issues and claims to the contrary are speculative and false,” NSP stated. It declined to say why Moszynski resigned, calling it a personnel matter.

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