Beatrice Domond pro for FA very soon

[Bumba]

@Bumba I'll do the same as I did before.

1) the effects of decades of racism in skating and over a hundred years of institutional racism didn't disappear at the millennium (speaking about America as an American). The fact that nobody can name more than two pro black skaters that are female illustrates this. There is still an overwhelming majority if skaters (pro or not) that are white. Don't have numbers for you, but I'm damn sure. I'm not equating the present to the past, I'm trying to factor in the past's legacy.

2) you may find this hard to believe, but I'm a teacher at a school where I'm the racial minority, so yes... I understand being around racial diversity. Here, you seem to be so hung up on the idea that I'm arguing that representation is absolutely necessary to inspire others. I've already explained how I'm not doing that, so I won't do it again.

3) I'm talking  like that because I've heard female skaters openly and proudly state how Elissa has opened doors for them and other women in the industry. I don't understand how that's backward. Also, see 2).

4) I'm not saying people hate black women. I might be saying I think it's overkill and that there is some bias at play when some folks choose to target and denigrate a black woman across social media platforms because she got some vans colorways for the first time when they've been giving them out to men forever. Like I said before... "she's not good enough" ignores so much context.

5) I edited that in because others have said it, not you. Didn't mean to imply you'd said it, just wanted to get in front of it/respond to said others.

@Slikk but I did engage you dude and you had nothing to say, as usual.

I can only give a quick response because I'm going to head to sleep. Is there so few black female pro skaters because we're institutionally racist or is it because there aren't many black female skaters at the level it takes to be a pro? We live in a world where you can put yourselves out there so easily now. All you need is a phone and a social media account. If there were numerous black female skaters that are pro level, this forum (and the wider skate audience) would know of them.

If you'd like to give these people some shine then please feel free to plug their names and I'll check out their skating.

[camel filters]

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@Bumba I'll do the same as I did before.

1) the effects of decades of racism in skating and over a hundred years of institutional racism didn't disappear at the millennium (speaking about America as an American). The fact that nobody can name more than two pro black skaters that are female illustrates this. There is still an overwhelming majority if skaters (pro or not) that are white. Don't have numbers for you, but I'm damn sure. I'm not equating the present to the past, I'm trying to factor in the past's legacy.

2) you may find this hard to believe, but I'm a teacher at a school where I'm the racial minority, so yes... I understand being around racial diversity. Here, you seem to be so hung up on the idea that I'm arguing that representation is absolutely necessary to inspire others. I've already explained how I'm not doing that, so I won't do it again.

3) I'm talking  like that because I've heard female skaters openly and proudly state how Elissa has opened doors for them and other women in the industry. I don't understand how that's backward. Also, see 2).

4) I'm not saying people hate black women. I might be saying I think it's overkill and that there is some bias at play when some folks choose to target and denigrate a black woman across social media platforms because she got some vans colorways for the first time when they've been giving them out to men forever. Like I said before... "she's not good enough" ignores so much context.

5) I edited that in because others have said it, not you. Didn't mean to imply you'd said it, just wanted to get in front of it/respond to said others.

@Slikk but I did engage you dude and you had nothing to say, as usual.

[close]

If you'd like to give these people some shine then please feel free to plug their names and I'll check out their skating.

If adidas isn’t doing anything with Nika, maybe Vans can use the marketing on the next Beatrice colorway to put her on. Random thunder flow girl found a way to put together a street edit

[sle_epy]

@sle_epy I know she isn't good at skating haha, but just attacking her doesn't do much to sway me.

You said she is the defacto example for black females, why is that? She is one of two pros, the options are obviously limited. You also said it's more important for girls to see the best technically skilled skaters... but why, necessarily? Is it because she is a bad example in your opinion? If you think so, I am curious about what you think about this: "... I think the argument that 'she sets a bad example for young black skaters' is a weak one, too. I think it's weak due to the lack of faith it has in black girls who see her and decide to skate. You think that after they get into skating, they won't push themselves further than 5050 front shuvs just because that's what Beatrice does? Talk about insulting..."

Also, do Samarria, Rayssa, Nicole Haise, etc not have platforms? I still don't see how Beatrice having one takes away from them or from young female skaters who can see them, too. I'm still convinced she is not doing more harm than good here.

I said she was the defacto pro for all women outside of skating due to her platform. I think for younger girls black or otherwise that her attitude is horrible, so no I wouldn't want her to be the biggest influence on young female skaters.

Here we have an almost 30 years old woman acting like a petulant teen, not a great look and not who I'd want my kid looking up to. I think her platform is way way way bigger than theirs, because it is.

She's held up as something special inside and outside of skating, and the other women you listed aren't really despite being better at skating, and being better examples in general in terms of how they act and present themselves.

[Bumba]

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@Bumba I'll do the same as I did before.

1) the effects of decades of racism in skating and over a hundred years of institutional racism didn't disappear at the millennium (speaking about America as an American). The fact that nobody can name more than two pro black skaters that are female illustrates this. There is still an overwhelming majority if skaters (pro or not) that are white. Don't have numbers for you, but I'm damn sure. I'm not equating the present to the past, I'm trying to factor in the past's legacy.

2) you may find this hard to believe, but I'm a teacher at a school where I'm the racial minority, so yes... I understand being around racial diversity. Here, you seem to be so hung up on the idea that I'm arguing that representation is absolutely necessary to inspire others. I've already explained how I'm not doing that, so I won't do it again.

3) I'm talking  like that because I've heard female skaters openly and proudly state how Elissa has opened doors for them and other women in the industry. I don't understand how that's backward. Also, see 2).

4) I'm not saying people hate black women. I might be saying I think it's overkill and that there is some bias at play when some folks choose to target and denigrate a black woman across social media platforms because she got some vans colorways for the first time when they've been giving them out to men forever. Like I said before... "she's not good enough" ignores so much context.

5) I edited that in because others have said it, not you. Didn't mean to imply you'd said it, just wanted to get in front of it/respond to said others.

@Slikk but I did engage you dude and you had nothing to say, as usual.

[close]

If you'd like to give these people some shine then please feel free to plug their names and I'll check out their skating.

[close]

If adidas isn’t doing anything with Nika, maybe Vans can use the marketing on the next Beatrice colorway to put her on. Random thunder flow girl found a way to put together a street edit

There we go. This isn't "a good black skater", this isn't "a good female skater", this is "a good skater".

According to some of you I can't be inspired by this because I don't look like her. Well fuck you I'm going to watch this before my next session to get me hyped.

[Mr. Pickles]

42 pages. Get over it.

[sle_epy]

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@Bumba I'll do the same as I did before.

1) the effects of decades of racism in skating and over a hundred years of institutional racism didn't disappear at the millennium (speaking about America as an American). The fact that nobody can name more than two pro black skaters that are female illustrates this. There is still an overwhelming majority if skaters (pro or not) that are white. Don't have numbers for you, but I'm damn sure. I'm not equating the present to the past, I'm trying to factor in the past's legacy.

2) you may find this hard to believe, but I'm a teacher at a school where I'm the racial minority, so yes... I understand being around racial diversity. Here, you seem to be so hung up on the idea that I'm arguing that representation is absolutely necessary to inspire others. I've already explained how I'm not doing that, so I won't do it again.

3) I'm talking  like that because I've heard female skaters openly and proudly state how Elissa has opened doors for them and other women in the industry. I don't understand how that's backward. Also, see 2).

4) I'm not saying people hate black women. I might be saying I think it's overkill and that there is some bias at play when some folks choose to target and denigrate a black woman across social media platforms because she got some vans colorways for the first time when they've been giving them out to men forever. Like I said before... "she's not good enough" ignores so much context.

5) I edited that in because others have said it, not you. Didn't mean to imply you'd said it, just wanted to get in front of it/respond to said others.

@Slikk but I did engage you dude and you had nothing to say, as usual.

[close]

If you'd like to give these people some shine then please feel free to plug their names and I'll check out their skating.

[close]

If adidas isn’t doing anything with Nika, maybe Vans can use the marketing on the next Beatrice colorway to put her on. Random thunder flow girl found a way to put together a street edit

This chick is way sicker than her and should def get the love Beatrice is getting, but those Dylan arms... That'll be Beatrice's ultimate legacy, stolen steez. There are so many problematic things about Beatrice. Will you Beatrice lovers be happy when she steals Dylan's steez for posterity amongst women and is listed as some sort of style god? I won't be. And we will prob have to hear about her forever.

[Urtripping]

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@sle_epy I know she isn't good at skating haha, but just attacking her doesn't do much to sway me.

You said she is the defacto example for black females, why is that? She is one of two pros, the options are obviously limited. You also said it's more important for girls to see the best technically skilled skaters... but why, necessarily? Is it because she is a bad example in your opinion? If you think so, I am curious about what you think about this: "... I think the argument that 'she sets a bad example for young black skaters' is a weak one, too. I think it's weak due to the lack of faith it has in black girls who see her and decide to skate. You think that after they get into skating, they won't push themselves further than 5050 front shuvs just because that's what Beatrice does? Talk about insulting..."

Also, do Samarria, Rayssa, Nicole Haise, etc not have platforms? I still don't see how Beatrice having one takes away from them or from young female skaters who can see them, too. I'm still convinced she is not doing more harm than good here.

[close]

I said she was the defacto pro for all women outside of skating due to her platform. I think for younger girls black or otherwise that her attitude is horrible, so no I wouldn't want her to be the biggest influence on young female skaters.

Here we have an almost 30 years old woman acting like a petulant teen, not a great look and not who I'd want my kid looking up to. I think her platform is way way way bigger than theirs, because it is.

She's held up as something special inside and outside of skating, and the other women you listed aren't really despite being better at skating, and being better examples in general in terms of how they act and present themselves.

My bad on the misquote. I know she's been talking some shit on Instagram but I'm am positive that is all a response to the daily shit she gets from countless faceless idiots online, right? I personally can't fault her. Also, I think you should watch her Jenkem vid interview. I did not get bad vibes.

I think her platform is so big because she models too (hence the vogue interview). No doubt her sponsors push her because of how far she reaches... but again, I'm still not convinced she's a purely bad example for girls, inside or out of skating. My kind might be changed by some really terrible shit she's said as evidence, but if im being honest I haven't seen it. Here, or on her social media when I looked.

@camel filters that's fucking sick, you should've posted that like 10 pages ago instead of wasting so much time pretending Beatrice took your spot on vans and is ruining skating lol

[Slikk]

42 pages. Get over it.

nah

why dont u stop perpetuating the equivalent of a participation trophy ‘just cause’

ima give credit where it’s due, and bd gets a 0 for effort

slikk slikk

[sle_epy]

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@sle_epy I know she isn't good at skating haha, but just attacking her doesn't do much to sway me.

You said she is the defacto example for black females, why is that? She is one of two pros, the options are obviously limited. You also said it's more important for girls to see the best technically skilled skaters... but why, necessarily? Is it because she is a bad example in your opinion? If you think so, I am curious about what you think about this: "... I think the argument that 'she sets a bad example for young black skaters' is a weak one, too. I think it's weak due to the lack of faith it has in black girls who see her and decide to skate. You think that after they get into skating, they won't push themselves further than 5050 front shuvs just because that's what Beatrice does? Talk about insulting..."

Also, do Samarria, Rayssa, Nicole Haise, etc not have platforms? I still don't see how Beatrice having one takes away from them or from young female skaters who can see them, too. I'm still convinced she is not doing more harm than good here.

[close]

I said she was the defacto pro for all women outside of skating due to her platform. I think for younger girls black or otherwise that her attitude is horrible, so no I wouldn't want her to be the biggest influence on young female skaters.

Here we have an almost 30 years old woman acting like a petulant teen, not a great look and not who I'd want my kid looking up to. I think her platform is way way way bigger than theirs, because it is.

She's held up as something special inside and outside of skating, and the other women you listed aren't really despite being better at skating, and being better examples in general in terms of how they act and present themselves.

[close]

My bad on the misquote. I know she's been talking some shit on Instagram but I'm am positive that is all a response to the daily shit she gets from countless faceless idiots online, right? I personally can't fault her. Also, I think you should watch her Jenkem vid interview. I did not get bad vibes.

I think her platform is so big because she models too (hence the vogue interview). No doubt her sponsors push her because of how far she reaches... but again, I'm still not convinced she's a purely bad example for girls, inside or out of skating. My kind might be changed by some really terrible shit she's said as evidence, but if im being honest I haven't seen it. Here, or on her social media when I looked.

@camel filters that's fucking sick, you should've posted that like 10 pages ago instead of wasting so much time pretending Beatrice took your spot on vans and is ruining skating lol

I saw the interview because I wanted to give it a chance after someone brought it up, she came off differently there but it was also from four years ago so it doesn't hold much weight with me in 2023.

[Urtripping]

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42 pages. Get over it.

[close]

nah

why dont u stop perpetuating the equivalent of a participation trophy ‘just cause’

ima give credit where it’s due, and bd gets a 0 for effort

slikk slikk

You sound like a suburban little league dad with that take

[Slikk]

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42 pages. Get over it.

[close]

nah

why dont u stop perpetuating the equivalent of a participation trophy ‘just cause’

ima give credit where it’s due, and bd gets a 0 for effort

slikk slikk

[close]

You sound like a suburban little league dad with that take

at least its grounded in reality

class dismissed

slikk slikk

[sle_epy]

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42 pages. Get over it.

[close]

nah

why dont u stop perpetuating the equivalent of a participation trophy ‘just cause’

ima give credit where it’s due, and bd gets a 0 for effort

slikk slikk

[close]

You sound like a suburban little league dad with that take

Skateboarding is very hard, being pro should be extremely hard. Also skating is more art than sport and if I remember from art school critiques were brutal and you didn't get participation trophies for anything. You had to put in the work to get noticed and do it right. And that's fucking liberal ass art school. Still had to be good to get any shine or praise.

[Urtripping]

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42 pages. Get over it.

[close]

nah

why dont u stop perpetuating the equivalent of a participation trophy ‘just cause’

ima give credit where it’s due, and bd gets a 0 for effort

slikk slikk

[close]

You sound like a suburban little league dad with that take

[close]

at least its grounded in reality

class dismissed

slikk slikk

You're funny man.

Last thing I'm saying here because this thread is mostly trash: @sle_epy and @Bumba  I give you a lot of kudos for expressing yourseves on here about this issue in particular with meaningful responses. Others... not so much lmao. That being said, I'm still not convinced Beatrice is bad for skating or for other women with platforms in skating just because she isn't very good and gets mad when people harass her online. I think there's much more going on, as I've explained.

I still think everyone who's claiming skating is post racial and that I'm "race baiting" is willfully ignoring history and even the present day context of skateboarding and the America's social climate. That type of willful ignorance is hard to unlearn, but I hope you guys can do so.

[Pango]

The biggest disconnect I have with talking about race or skaters of color on slap is that for the most part most posters here are white dudes and the second part is that most posters treat a single skater of color or another skater from a marginalized community as a monolith, as if they themselves represent or is the whole group encapsulated.

As someone who is AAPI first generation in America that is what frustrates me when talking about race with white people, like Beatrice Domond does not represent all black female skaters nor does Jerry Hsu represent all Chinese American skaters.  Look at them as individuals not as a monolith.  I get that representation is important but you need to look at that example of representation individually and it is ok to critique that example because critiquing that example of representation is not critiquing that marginalized group or race as a whole.

For example many white people I know love Crazy Rich Asians, I myself as AAPI person dislike that movie because of it's portrayal of an AAPI is very unrealistic and continues to perpetuate the model minority stereotype and negates the struggle of many AAPI families.  Does my criticism of that movie put down all AAPI actors in Hollywood, no.

Yes it is good there are more skaters of color like Beatrice Domond we need that, but does she represent all skaters of color? No, she does not and when people criticize her for her skating or her actions, they are not diminishing all skaters of color.

In short please white posters, don't just paint individual skaters of color as a monolith, it's ok to be critical, I would argue it is to be to be critical so that we avoid tokenism, but don't race bait and be a white knight

[Urtripping]

OK last thing lol: as a white poster who's been VERY active in this thread, never once have I (at least intentionally) insinuated she's the monolithic, end all be all representative for black female skaters. In fact, what I have maintained since I entered the discussion is that her being one of very few current black female pro skaters can and reasonably will lead to more black females entering skating. The argument isnt that she should be or is the ONLY person who can get black girls involved in skating, it's that her having a career will probably have a hand in leading to more. She and Samarria are on the forefront for that demographic and creating possibilities for others. Its already been acknowledged that people can get into skating by seeing those from other backgrounds skating (Bumba). As it stands, there's a significantly slim number of black girls represented (or just involved in general) in skating. I think Beatrice could inspire more of them to skate, and I don't think that's a problematic take in any way.

I get you though, that's why it's really important to have people like you, sleepy, and Bumba commenting on this.

[sle_epy]

OK last thing lol: as a white poster who's been VERY active in this thread, never once have I (at least intentionally) insinuated she's the monolithic, end all be all representative for black female skaters. In fact, what I have maintained since I entered the discussion is that her being one of very few current black female pro skaters can and reasonably will lead to more black females entering skating. The argument isnt that she should be or is the ONLY person who can get black girls involved in skating, it's that her having a career will probably have a hand in leading to more. Its already been acknowledged that people can get into skating by seeing those from other backgrounds skating (Bumba). As it stands, there's a significantly slim number of black girls represented (or just involved in general) in skating. I think Beatrice could inspire more of them to skate, and I don't think that's a problematic take in any way.

I get you though, that's why it's really important to have people like you, sleepy, and Bumba commenting on this.

Then she should be a social media influencer on cariuma riding Brite boards then because she's not a pro skateboarders but she could be a "professional" skateboarder if that were the case. Boom problem solved. Can we trade her to braille or smthng.

[Urtripping]

You lost me dawg. She kinda is just a social media influencer anyway. Lots of "pros" are. I said we should all be hating on them instead like two days ago.

[sle_epy]

You lost me dawg. She kinda is just a social media influencer anyway. Lots of "pros" are. I said we should all be hating on them instead like two days ago.

I'm saying that's all she should've ever been. How we've gotten here with her being blessed as legit is beyond me. Thankfully based on this thread the majority of actual skaters will never see it like that.

[skate_or_dingus]

You lost me dawg. She kinda is just a social media influencer anyway. Lots of "pros" are. I said we should all be hating on them instead like two days ago.

 Dawg you've lost just fuckin' STOOOOOOOP already.

[Slikk]

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You lost me dawg. She kinda is just a social media influencer anyway. Lots of "pros" are. I said we should all be hating on them instead like two days ago.

[close]

 Dawg you've lost just fuckin' STOOOOOOOP already.

its ok he already dm’d me back telling me im wrong cuz he has 478 next to his name, so anyone with a lower rep is actually just fuckin stupid

THIS DUDE IS A TEACHER

slikk slikk

[tadej Pog]

 Most of the dudes that bring color skin to the table are white.

They says every time: she is a black woman and represents others black women.  Dont ask for themselves if the girls give a damn for his opinion tying to  be cool politic guy.

They says again: she is a black woman, she is a black woman.

"Look at me...Im good with people of color."

[Urtripping]

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You lost me dawg. She kinda is just a social media influencer anyway. Lots of "pros" are. I said we should all be hating on them instead like two days ago.

[close]

 Dawg you've lost just fuckin' STOOOOOOOP already.

[close]

its ok he already dm’d me back telling me im wrong cuz he has 478 next to his name, so anyone with a lower rep is actually just fuckin stupid

THIS DUDE IS A TEACHER

slikk slikk

Word for word, I said that. You guys can trust Slikk. @tadej Pog I posted a comment from a black girl supporting Beatrice intentionally because there are none in this discussion.

@skate or dingus it's people like you who see this as a competition that make discussions here nearly impossible

[shouldn't]

Most of the dudes that bring color skin to the table are white.

They says every time: she is a black woman and represents others black women.  Dont ask for themselves if the girls give a damn for his opinion tying to  be cool politic guy.

They says again: she is a black woman, she is a black woman.

"Look at me...Im good with people of color."

i unintentionally read this in borat’s voice upon first glance & it translated perfectly.

[shockpadsandwristguards]

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@Bumba   To answer 1): the lack of representation is due to a lack of involvement (and yeah, therefore skill) which stems from both institutional and direct racism/exclusion. I don't think skating was a very welcoming place for POC until the Late 80s at the earliest, probably. The fact that it's been predominantly male and white is exactly why I think it's sick that Beatrice, a non white male, is being supported regardless of her skill. It's another step forward.

2): Colorblindess does not do much good for anyone, regardless of what Sam Jackson says. This has been argued by black academics, civil rights leaders, and many more. Humans are also wired to be social and connect with each other through shared culture, that's literally how we're wired, so it makes sense that seeing someone who you associate with your culture doing something novel will help you connect with that activity. That's just logical, really. Again, I'm stoked you found skating despite skating being predominantly white, but your experience does not trump human nature, and I'm sorry if that insults you. Genuinely. I am sincerely not arguing "the only way black girls will ever skate is if Beatrice has a career." I'm saying it helps you get into an unfamiliar hobby by seeing someone familiar participate. Case in point, I'm pretty sure it was Jerry Hsu that mentioned being stoked to see an Asian pro (can't remember the name) in his epicly latered. He got extra stoked because it was so uncommon. I could be totally misremembering that, but I don't think you'd have to look hard for other examples. I'm sure many white women credit Elissa and other women for getting them into skating, or at least playing a significant role in their attraction to it. I don't think that's an insulting statement, I'm sorry...

3): you ask the perfect question: "at what cost?" What is the cost? Is there a real cost we should actually be concerned about? The most compelling argument I've read here is that Beatrice cutting corners kind of negates all the hard work other black females (and female skaters in general) have had to put in. But again, that is assuming that one black girl having a career erases history. I fully believe that it opens doors... jt doesn't shut them (past or present). Also, if almost 100% of skaters don't have an issue with black girls at their local, why do so many have an issue with one with her name on a board? In my opinion, "because she's not good enough" is a "faded take."

4) I am still waiting for someone to actually explain how Beatrice having a career takes away from others' opportunities. I mean, unless you're arguing that there are only so many spots available for POC in skating... Again, in my view it's completely the opposite: the more we normalize seeing and celebrating black female skaters, the more we'll see them in skating. This diversity benefits all POC in skating, unless we assume there is a quota and only a certain number of them are allowed to be pro. Now THAT'S tokenism.

I'm sorry for the essay too, but it's not something that's easy to discuss for me personally and it takes time to articulate (I'm just a bad fucking writer I guess), but it's a worthy discussion. I wish it could have been more clear and civil, but this is slap.

Edit: lastly, I think the argument that "she sets a bad example for young black skaters" is a weak one, too. I think it's weak due to the lack of faith it has in black girls who see her and decide to skate. You think that after they get into skating, they won't push themselves further than 5050 front shuvs just because that's what Beatrice does? Talk about insulting...

[close]

Well said.
End thread.

lmao I love how you people are white and too sensitive to talk about this thats why you are scared to say something "wrong."

we all want inclusion of all gender and race and it still should be room for critic. im not Chris Roberts sitting in his chair having to like everything to be slick and dont hurt anyone by criticizing people from a different race for their lack of skating skills.
Also you guys act like there are 4 ethnicities and ASIAN is like Japan and Korea and if they have representation that means the whole continent of Asia is felt seen and is happy.
Some countries dont give af about skating and thats why they have zero representation in skating. I dont feel like you have to give the next best girl from my area a pro board only so skating looks more international and I finally dont feel depressed and alone anymore when I grind my curb.

[Urtripping]

Oh you love that, huh? What else do you love? I wanna give it to ya.

[Lowcalcium]

I like Beatrice’s skateboarding. I also think she looks good in Vans.

Hell. 50 / 50 front shuv is a hard trick. I’ve never done one.

[Atiba Applebum]

Some earlier kinda nailed it for me:
if she was 16 I think I would be a lot more stoked on her and “intangibles” bc she’s a young kid just learning and getting hyped on it, but there’s something weird about a college grad who’s 28 to be this way

[shockpadsandwristguards]

Oh you love that, huh? What else do you love? I wanna give it to ya.

may be an ear for people that are lesser represented in skating than black americans telling you they never needed people  to look like them to be inspired.

if girls want to finally skate because of beatrice & briana king than so be it. Im done hating on her. more girls in the pro ranks. no quality threshold needed. more money in skating thats good.

[Nanda Zinger]

Can we all agree that she has a cool name at least?

[Captain No Cab]

Anyone got the scoop on when the shoes are dropping in Australia?