Blackgirlsskate

This page highlights the growing trend among black women enjoying themselves through skating. This blog showcases the history behind this, makes recommendations on rollerskating products and keeps up to date with the black skating community.

[blackgirlsskating]

Info Page

This page highlights black peoples experiences in the skating community, provides updates on trends and product recommendations. This page will be taking submissions from other black people in the form of writing, art and poems about what rollerskating means to them.This page is run by a student who is passionate about rollerskating and welcomes your feedback.

[blackgirlsskating]

Social media accounts that amplify black skaters

BIPOC Who skate- This page highlights the global experience of black skaters

Rhttps://www.instagram.com/bipocwhoskate/?hl=enoller

Holding Space- A podcast by Magical Wheelism explains race and identity in derby skating.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holding-space-with-magical-wheelism/id1478991974

Skatealldae-A page by a young black influencer teaching others how to skate.

https://www.instagram.com/skatealldae/?hl=en

[blackgirlsskating]

History behind black people rollerskating

skaters protested for desegregated rinks in the 1960s . One of the first civil rights sit ins  was at white city Roller Rink in Chicago.United Skates is a documentary that explores the relationship between skating and the black community.

Additionally, skating rinks provided spaces for black artists to promote their music.One of the ways many black artists gained fans and an audience was by performing at skating rinks which gave them an opportunity to have their music heard by others and gain popularity. In short skating rinks gave black artists a chance to grow and develop as well as gain fame.For example Dr dre and Queen Latifah began their careers this way.

The skating rinks that have survived have been a result of the community behind them.The lack of black cultural spaces has become an issue due to municipalities rezoning skating rinks to build retails shops instead to create profit. This shows the impact of capitalism in that spaces that benefit the community are not valued as much as money.

[blackgirlsskating]

What does  roller skating mean to me

Roller skating to me means the chance to experience creativity and freedom . Its a chance to also express yourself and relax. It is a sport that brings people together and challenges them to continue to improve and never give up despite falling many times. It teaches persistence and determination.Roller skating brings a sense of community online and offline which is beautiful , vibrant and creating social change that is needed . This sport embodies black joy which is really important in general for black peoples physical and mental health.

[blackgirlsskating]

Racism in the Rollerskating community

Social media has contributed to the whitewashing of the sport and it has lead to those in the general public being unaware of the history and racism behind the sport. Furthermore, many black content creators who post their rollerskating videos are censored and are discriminated against by tik tok who pretend about black issues when it is convenient for them.Black roller skaters have been existing and enjoying themselves but it hasn't been until recently that the world has payed attention to them. This attention whilst great has also highlighted the issue of people only paying attention to black people when they are being discriminated against as much of this same attention present when demo videos and those of black skaters enjoying themselves were posted. It sends the message that others only pay attention to black people when they are in pain or suffering and not when they are simply existing.Many skating rinks disbar black customers from entering with rules that do not  apply to other groups. There is also the issue of stereotyping black people as thugs and criminals which negatively impacts black peoples enjoyment of recreational and social activities.

Furthermore , non black people in this community are also very racist and choose to silence black skaters instead of amplifying their voices. Indy Jamma Jones is an example of this as she was recently under fire for censoring posts by black skaters who shared their experiences being profiled by the police.She believed the posts were too political and needed to be on another page.This incident highlights the ignorance and racism within these so called progressive communities and how black peoples  experiences are seen as political rather than a reality that needs to be acknowledged . It shows non black peoples fear over such topics  because they do not want to isolate their audiences and are eager to please them, but this comes at a great cost which is increased racism and lack of awareness over such issues.

[blackgirlsskating]

Black owned skating companies

1.SK8 Fanatics

2.Paradise

3.Moonlight Roller