Guys I think we are missing the bigger picture here.
This is a terrible situation all around and one that is a direct result of a long standing culture within skateboarding of glorying drug and alcohol abuse as well as violence and criminal behavior. This sort of jackass attitude does nothing but paint skateboarding in a bad light.
Looking at this trend it was only a matter of time until someone innocent got hurt. Sponsors and pro skaters have only themselves to blame in this situation. I might be in the minority but I can't stand any skate video where it's all about drugs, goofing around and pissing people off.
I want to see the best skaters in the world skating, not drinking beer or throwing shit at one and other. FFS what are we, 5 years old?
I started skating in the 80's and I strongly believe skateboarding has its roots deeply embedded in counter culture and that's a good thing, skateboarding should be about freedom and exploration and absolutely to an extent breaking the rules, skating street spots etc.
But when skaters just comes across like a bunch of thugs, fighting, knocking passers by over and in general just behaving like scum, that's what they become, scum.
Skateboarding needs to take a stand and look itself in the mirror. I work for Red Bull as a filmer / photographer and I can honestly say that more and more corporate sponsors will not stand for this. One can complain that Nike etc is ruining skateboarding, but maybe a somewhat cleaner image is exactly what skateboarding needs to move forward. I'm not saying no to rebellion and counter culture, just criminal and childish behavior.
With regards to the SF incident it is a tragedy all around. Dan has had his and his family's life changed forever and skateboarding is right to reach out and offer condolences and financial support.
However you look at it though, Jesse is also a victim, a victim of a culture that has been allowed to go on far too long and that viewers and consumers have fueled by watching and buying boards etc.
How many of the people that are calling Jesse out, has laughed and shared similar videos where skaters have been in altercations with security and members of the public? If you did, you are all guilty of fueling the behavior that led to this.
Yes Jesse fucked up, as did the whole crew that was with him, but he is now being made a scapegoat for an entire culture and all the people that's been supporting that culture are turning their backs.
Jesse needs the support of the community now more than ever and I call hypocrite on most people who are slagging him off. I'm not defending what they did and they should absolutely pay for it, but I see this as an opportunity for skateboarding to come together and move forward to a better place.
Topic: Security guard beaten at SF Black Rock (Read 376285 times)