On Skaters and Haters

My story for PW this week was about the increasingly harsh tactics of some members of the Philadelphia Police Department against skateboarders in Center City - and so far, it seems to have caused a little bit of a stir judging by the comments that were posted on the story, roughly 160 unique comments in 48 hours.

What I've noticed about both those comments and my observations while reporting this story, is that skaters are greatly misunderstood. While watching some normal skate action at LOVE, I was amazed by the way these kids seemed to all work together, work out 50 of them all vying to roll urathayne wheels on the same slabs of granite - and some how it just worked. There was this natural ebb and flow to it. And when pedestrians would walk by, sure they eyed skaters with suspicion, but it was just in a watch-out-for-my-ankles kinda way. I remember an older couple - white, upper-crusty, probably in their mid-to-late 60's and they were just watching these kids as they walked through. They didn't change their pace or hurry, but they just watched these little urbanites do their thing. Frankly, skating takes balls. Balls I have never had, but have always admired.

It's easy to hate on skaters, they're usually young, mouthy and not afraid of falling - but what's not easy to do is treat them with a little bit of respect, when all they are are human beings trying to find their way. I watched this little guy, the board more than half his size, trying forever to land a trick. Nothing crazy, looked like something that's kind of simple for the older guys.. but this kid tried and tried and tried.. and finally he got it. And when he did, he didn't need people clapping or cheering (although that does happen there) no, the corners of his mouth turned up a little and he smiled to himself and he charged right back to do it again. It was actually kind of beautiful to witness.

When I hear these stories of how kids are chased by cops, it makes me think, here is this generation of kids that's growing up who is learning that the right way to respond to cops is to run from them, and to be afraid. It just seems to bode bad things for any sort of respect for authority.

I understand, skating is illegal. Skating does damage to public property. But, can't Philly see what it does to alienate youth? Especially this particular subculture of creative and fearless beings? Make no mistake about it, some of them are little shits. But as one of my sources pointed out to me, little shits exist in every form of sport and subset. Little shits play soccer, baseball, basketball.. everything. You know why? because they're kids. And I'm sorry if this activity - which is pretty freakin awesome to watch - is deemed illegal by the city.. but you cannot beat these kids up for doing it. Take their bolts off their wheels and give them a ticket. Fine. Charge them with Tasers? Not fine. Chase them into traffic? Not fine.

You can't teach a kid to have any respect for anything by authority beating them into submission. It's just wrong.

Another thing that I think is wrong, is the generalization that skaters are all jobless losers. Man. That's messed up. Every one that I talked to in sourcing the story - except for the 14 year old kid - has a job. In Philly no less, meaning that not only do they pay taxes, but they pay the dreaded wage tax that Republicans and conservatives blame for flight from the city. Here they are, living, working, paying, breathing, shopping.. and all they wanna do is ride LOVE.

Now, I have little interest in getting involved in the legalization matter - but I will say that I enjoyed watching people skate in preparation for this story. No one gave me a hard time or tried to make me feel uncomfortable - and I'm a chubby, almost-30, white girl. So, I wouldn't mind watching more of it. Also, I wouldn't mind if this city that I love were to embrace this younger generation. Show them that their method of expression is valid. Also, I wouldn't mind if this city would embrace the money of this younger generation. Teenagers who skate all day get thirsty and hungry and they spend money. The X-games and the professionals who headline them bring in spectators, revenue and book hotel rooms.

It just seems like the skateboard ban is doing more harm than good. There has got to be a way to find some common ground here.