Message to our Team

In response to the devastating events that have gripped our nation recently, Alabama Outdoors CEO Scott McCrory sent the following message to employees:

Good afternoon – I want to share some thoughts on the events of the last couple of weeks. While not easy to write about, you should know where I and AO/WO stand. I find racism in all of it forms abhorrent and feel the same about the death of George Floyd. However, racism is not new and did not just occur last week or last year. Our history is riddled with overt racism. Even when the overt actions may not be quickly seen, it is easy for the undertones and structures of society to perpetuate inequitable and unjust outcomes. This is not a new cause to rally around or a topic to just now speak publicly on – it is something to eradicate from our minds, hearts and society permanently.

Now is a time for us all to be quick to listen and slow to speak. I speak now so you will not interpret my silence as indifference. I am taking this time to listen, better understand, and have my mind opened and thinking sharpened. I do not want to speak out in ignorance – but I can’t wait any longer to speak to you – so please forgive me if thoughts are incomplete. We all need to be challenged in our thinking and actions and we need to take this time to seek to understand rather than be understood. Our company voices will be silent for the upcoming days as we attempt to do that, including social and email accounts. We will not put out any potentially self-serving statements to our customers, but will seek to personally and actively listen.

We have always sought to increase outdoor usage for all people. Through efforts both individually and corporately, we have attempted to do that. Many of those efforts are not published or talked about, but rather were done for the joy and benefit of others. But in the future, we will need to do more.

Finally, I pray for peace and justice for all.

Scott