Skateboarding, Prejudice, and the Police

A skater wrote me today and told this story:

"The other day, I saw my friend Mathew BMX'ing at the local high school, and went to skate with him. We saw a cop and I started to get worried. I was all like,"What if he kicks us out?" So,my friend waves at him. Later I asked if he was scared, and he said no. I asked why, and he said that he used to skate, and the 13 times he skated at the high school, he got kicked out 9 of em. But when he picked up biking, he started going to the high school every day, and has never been kicked out. My point is that I think cops and the high society people are prejudiced against skaters, which isn't right. They see inliners and bikers, but don't get mad till the skaters show up. So do you think this is wrong to? Is this against what America is about?"

This is a great question, and something that most skaters deal with. Have you dealt with this? Here's a poll: The prejudice that exists against skaters is wrong, but it's there because a lot of skaters don't know how to deal with police, and people who hate skaters. Read How to Deal with Police Harassment to get some ideas for how to deal with bad cops and people who might get in your face. Being a skater can be tough, depending on where you live. Some places it's worse than others. Read other skater's stories in Worst Police Harassment Stories - you can even share your own if you have one.

It's sad that we have to deal with so much prejudice, but believe it or not it DOES make you stronger. People always judge each other shallowly - don't let it get to you. Know you YOU are, as a skater, learn how to deal with bad cops, and you'll be one step closer to being a commanding member of your community. And when that happens, use your strength to change the culture from the ground up! I think that's the best way to do it. What do YOU think? Leave a comment if you have an idea!