2008 Woodie Awards
Blacks on a New Grind
Black skateboarders say underground lifestyle becoming mainstream
Kelley Campbell
Issue date: 3/26/07 Section: Lifestyles
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"It scares me that they're (black children) one dimensional," said Robert Mayberry, a senior business student from Houston. Mayberry is working on a documentary that shows the positive and negative aspects of skateboard culture. "I love their passion, but I want them to see that there are different things that you can do with skating. Life is so much bigger."
While there are some who are true to the skateboard culture, some just aren't convinced about how long this extreme sport's fashion and following will be around.
"I don't knock anybody who tries to do it (the skateboard culture), but the real hardcore people know what the deal is," said Ryan Young, 21, from Jackson, Miss. The third-year business administration student said skateboarding is going mainstream, and just like all things it will return to the underground, "but the people who really like it will continue to follow it," Young said.
But Young believes this exposure is positive because "eventually more black kids will pick it up as an actual hobby."
But, according to Howell, this can also bring skaters who lack appreciation for the culture. "They think it's cool and don't take it serious."
"They are doing it to follow everyone else as opposed to doing it because you like it," Howell said.
While there are some who are true to the skateboard culture, some just aren't convinced about how long this extreme sport's fashion and following will be around.
"I don't knock anybody who tries to do it (the skateboard culture), but the real hardcore people know what the deal is," said Ryan Young, 21, from Jackson, Miss. The third-year business administration student said skateboarding is going mainstream, and just like all things it will return to the underground, "but the people who really like it will continue to follow it," Young said.
But Young believes this exposure is positive because "eventually more black kids will pick it up as an actual hobby."
But, according to Howell, this can also bring skaters who lack appreciation for the culture. "They think it's cool and don't take it serious."
"They are doing it to follow everyone else as opposed to doing it because you like it," Howell said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
Dr. Harold L. Aubrey
posted 3/26/07 @ 7:53 PM EST
Dear Reporter,
This is just another example of the lack of knowledge of your African American heritage. For those of use who grew up in the South in particular (for me it was East Texas), we were MAKING skate boards before you could by them in stores. (Continued…)
Ty Faison
posted 9/24/07 @ 9:07 PM EST
I'm an African American 18 year old who's been skating since 94' at that time I was teased and misunderstood for wanting to skateboard it made me want to do it more and became my main hobby. (Continued…)
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