Burning Man founder Larry Harvey tries to defend the annual festival's lack of diversity

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Larry Harvey, founder of Burning Man, claimed that there is no diversity at the annual festival because he doesn't 'think black people like to camp'
The Burning Man census shows that the event is 87 per cent white and just 1.3 per cent black
The first of the annual Nevada festival's ten principles is 'racial inclusion'
Harvey said festival organizers shouldn't be blamed for lack of diversity

Published: 15:09 EST, 5 September 2015 | Updated: 19:25 EST, 5 September 2015

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The founder of Burning Man tried to defend the lack of diversity at the annual festival with quite a generalization on Friday: 'I don't think black people like to camp,' he claimed.

Larry Harvey shared his thoughts on the subject during a press conference at the festival, which is currently taking place in the desert of Black Rock City, Nevada. One of the festival's ten principles is 'racial inclusion'.

After claiming that the lack of diversity might be due to 'historic reasons', he clarified his comments on Friday.

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Larry Harvey, founder of Burning Man, claimed that there is no diversity at the annual festival because he doesn't 'think black people like to camp'

A census for the annual festival that takes place in the Nevada desert shows that the event is 87 per cent white and just 1.3 per cent black

Harvey went on to say: 'I don't think black folks like to camp as much as white folks'. He said that his views have been criticized before

'Remember a group that was enslaved and made to work,' he told The Guardian. 'Slavishly, you know in the fields.

'This goes all the way back to the Caribbean scene, when the average life of a slave in the fields was very short.

'And, so, there's that background, that agrarian poverty associated with things. Maybe your first move isn't to go camping. Seriously.'

Harvey said that he had been criticized for his view in the past, particularly when festival organizers spoke with a consultant who 'was black, and lesbian, and she had a niche in the nonprofit world, because they're always trying to check off those boxes, in terms of quotas'.

'At a certain point, she made a speech which was pro forma, which I didn't know was the speech she always made, about the racial question,' he said. 'I said "Well, I don't think black folks like to camp as much as white folks!" And she said "You son of a b****!".'

Sandy Peach competes in the Carnival of Death Race on High Rollers during the Burning Man 2015 "Carnival of Mirrors" arts and music festival on Thursday

Participants Mephy (left), Sandy Peach (center) and Queen Anarchy (right) compete in the Carnival of Death Race

Mark Goldfogel plays the organ at the Prairie Wind Chapel art installation during the Burning Man on Friday

The Burning Man census shows that the event is 87 per cent white and just 1.3 per cent black, according to the Guardian.

Harvey took time to note that his ex-wife and children are all African American and that he brought them to the festival in hopes of other African Americans following suit.

'I have contributed. Because, my stepson and my stepdaughter and my ex-wife are here,' said Harvey.

The Burning Man founder said that though he wants more diversity, he thinks it's 'a little much to expect the organization to solve the problem of racial parity'.

Harvey also stressed that his goal is not to offend people with his statements.

'I hope I haven't said anything to incendiary,' he said.