In American culture we play, support and watch tons of sports like football, basketball and baseball. These are team sports for people who like to have crowds watching them move a ball from one place to another, which is perfectly fine if once you had moved the ball to other side, it stayed, but sadly you start all over again doing a seemingly pointless task. Don’t worry, it just seems pointless, but then again, the Kardashians seem pointless, and they’re quite successful.

I probably sound quite judgmental right now, but this is the same sentiment  I constantly hear about and while I am skateboarding in the streets. Although I can’t speak for the whole skating community out there, I can at least speak for my friends and myself. Although sometimes we do have a tendency to almost get hit by cars, it isn’t our fault. The car usually doesn’t signal or stop at the stop sign. For some odd reason, it’s always our fault when a bigger vehicle almost breaks every bone in our bodies. My theory is that if the cops let us skate the streets, then everyone else should not angrily honk at us. I mean it’s not like we are going to tag every house in Seminole or go beat up some thugs. Have you seen my arms? I would die. I am not a threat to society or a member of some anarchist gang just because I ride a board.

Another thing that grinds my gears is when we are trying to do a simple trick down a curb or a super small set of stairs, and out of nowhere people tell us to stop. Why? Because we are going to break our necks falling down a six-inch drop? Seriously, how in the world could I possibly break my neck? The worst that can happen is a broken pinkie toe. Then after we peacefully explain to this overzealous civilian about how our activity on this piece of wood will not harm anyone, he or she will bring up suing us for harming ourselves. All that does is raise a question for me like, how in the world is a 17-year-old, so-called menace to society, supposed to get a lawyer? Do you really expect me to get a lawyer for something less dangerous than what happens on any football field on a Friday night?

For some reason people think that skaters look like a bunch of punks. I guess if you go back to the 80s/90s, you see the punk skater scene, but that scene died years ago. Today, the reason we wear raggedy loose shirts is because no one  in their right mind would go skate in their Sunday’s best. Who would want to ruin their favorite set of clothes falling on asphalt? Not me, that’s for sure. Now, if you look like you got your clothes caught by a weed whacker on purpose, go for it. I’m not the fashion police.

We, as skaters sometimes “forget” to do our homework, but I assure you, it’s not laziness. What did we do instead of homework, you ask. Let me explain. We skated… A lot. Sometimes you have got to practice that one trick one more than 200 times. This does take a while and sometimes gets you bruised shins and ankles, but it’s totally worth it. When we land that one trick that took us hours to perfect, it’s similar to winning a basketball game with a shot from half court. It is pretty intense.

Here is something to remember when you encounter one of my kind: stop, drop, and roll. I’m totally kidding, but if we are in your space or making you feel uncomfortable, politely tell us to move, and we most likely will. However, if you run into some spoiled brat who thinks he owns the middle of the street, he is a problem, and feel free to call the cops. That usually gets the job done.

I hope this has opened your eyes about my wonderful sport. I just want you to know that we take our sport just as seriously as any that are played in arenas or under bright lights. We might look rough and rugged on the outside, but I promise, we are cute and cuddly on the inside.