Scobel Wiggins Photography

Pride. Diversity. Knowledge. Heritage. Unity. Victory. Struggle. Strength. Foot to Ass. The mantras that encircle a raised fist clearly symbolize solidarity and "brown love" to the members of Downtown Brown. But our logo, our team, and our message raise a number of questions among members of the Ultimate community. The best way to have those questions addressed (and raise even more thoughtful questions) is to instigate a dialogue...So here we go.

I've compiled a few popular questions from Ultimate players who have had reactions to Downtown Brown after seeing/playing/hearing us at Fool's Fest, Poultry Days, Lei Out, or Potlatch.

What is Downtown Brown?
Simply put, DTB is a team of Ultimate players who are, either in-part or in-full, ethnic minorities who pick-up at tournaments together. Though we recreationally play in all three divisions (coed, women, and open), we take time during part of the tournament to have deep, sincere discussions—often times about our heritage, personal cultural experiences, and race relations in Ultimate and beyond. In many of our conversation circles, we put Ultimate completely aside and focus on larger issues like identity and humanity.

How can you be both exclusive yet inclusive?
Good point, and I don't have a clear answer. DTB has evolved over the last decade, and we're constantly growing. As we continue to develop both in sheer numbers and in new ideas, we've come across this inherent conflict. How can we be an exclusively all minority team, while still believing in concepts of tolerance, equality, and inclusion?

Though we have had Caucasian players play on our team a handful of times, playing on the same field isn't enough. Inclusion begins at a more personal level, hence the emphasis on dialogue. Discourse is the first place to start the inclusion of others. We want to have conversations with people of any and every background who contemplate issues in race in Ultimate. Obviously, we don't discriminate! Naturally, no two members of DTB will have identical thoughts on the issues, but nonetheless we welcome you and your interest in our team. If you see us at a tournament, hit us up.

What are your goals as a team?
If you asked the members of this enormous group of brown people from across the country (110 and counting!), you'd probably get several different answers. Some may say to encourage more people of color in the sport of Ultimate. Others may be seeking self-empowerment. And some members just want to check in with their brothers and sisters. But no matter what the individual goals are for the team, our underlying values are clear: the celebration of diversity, love for all, and unity on and off the Frisbee field.

So why is this team special?
As I mentioned before, we're a pick-up team. I don't think we ever have or ever will have the exact same roster for any two tournaments. Our numbers, our average age, and our skin tones are constantly in flux from appearance to appearance, but what remains the same is the Downtown Brown process. We play. We bond profoundly in our circle. Then we play again with a closeness that is indescribable. Our circles are a tradition that brings our team together. After we share our tribulations and triumphs in an environment of support, there's a sense of trust...a sense of heart...and a sense of strength...that translate onto the field.

This was by no means an exhaustive response to any of those questions (in fact, they are short), but it is a start. Downtown Brown is a team that you might run into in the near future- perhaps on the fields or the dance floor of Potlatch 2009. You might see us walking around in our bright-colored jerseys playing, moonwalking or having lively debates with one another, but no matter what we're up to, we encourage you to check us out. Chit chat. Ask questions. We do this all in hopes to learn from each other, spread a little knowledge, and show some brown love.

Venus plays, stars and rocks out with the University of Oregon Fugue and Portland's Schwa.