Treehouse: We must acknowledge the apprehension surrounding black boys at skate parks
I want to be candid for a moment. I’m a skater, not even that good, honestly. I skate for fun, for the thrill of it, and to hang out with my friends.
It’s a way for us to escape, to feel free, to express ourselves. But there’s something I need to talk about, something that weighs heavily on my heart when I’m at the skate park.
You see, when I see black boys at the park, it stirs something inside me. And it’s not because I believe they shouldn’t be allowed to skate.
No, it’s far from that.
I love skating, and I believe everyone should have the right to enjoy it, regardless of race. But in these times, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease. It’s not about the individuals themselves; it’s about the world we live in.
I think about the stories I’ve heard, the news reports that flood our screens, the injustices that seem to happen every day. I worry for them. I worry about their safety, about how they might be perceived, how they might be treated. It’s a fear that grips me, and it’s hard to shake off. I want to skate alongside them, to share that bond, but I can’t help but feel that the world isn’t as welcoming as it should be.
It’s frustrating, you know? We’re all just kids trying to have fun, trying to find our place in this chaotic world. But when I see someone who looks different from me, I can’t help but think about the weight they carry. The judgment, the scrutiny, the fear. It’s not fair. It’s not right.
I want to be better. I want to be an ally, to stand up against the injustice. But sometimes, I feel powerless, like my voice doesn’t matter. I’m just a skater, after all. But I want to change that narrative. I want to create a space where everyone feels safe, where we can all skate together without fear.
So, if you see me at the park, know that I’m trying. I’m trying to understand, to empathize, to be a better person. I want to skate for fun, yes, but I also want to skate for change. I want to skate for a world where we can all feel free, where we can all belong.