In response to some of the recent letters to the editor about the skateboarders, I have a few thoughts on the matter.
First, I would like to say I have a 14-year-old son. He is not an avid skateboarder but a lot of his friends are. All of the kids I know are good kids. They are respectable and well-mannered kids who come in a large variety — some have long hair, and some do not; some have the grunge look and some do not.
I think too many people judge these kids without knowing one thing about them. We all know it is not human right to place judgment, but a lot of people do it anyway.
In regards to a skate park: what is the big deal? We have a skating rink, a bowling alley, a soccer complex, even a fun station.
Skateboarding is a sport — it takes a lot of strength and agility to ride them and do all of those tricks. A lot of these kids are really talented.
A professional skateboarder earns a very high salary, probably just as much if not more than a lot of other pro sports.
What I am trying to say is that all skateboarders are not bad; all football players are not bad. I will use Michael Vick as an example — all sports have bad people; all races have good and bad people. It is not fair to discriminate against these kids and treat them as though their needs are unimportant or that they are unworthy.
They need a place to practice and ride those boards. They simply need a way to develop their skills besides using the streets downtown. Any facility has to be monitored and have a certain standard it is run by. Let’s give our kids their park and run it properly from the start.
If someone doesn’t go by the rules, then they don’t get to use the park.
Statesville might produce the next Tony Hawk! Anyone who doesn’t know or understand how big and important the skating sport is should check out the X Games. They are no different from the Olympics.
I am very proud to say I know a lot of these kids. I wish many other people had that privilege as well.
Beth Woods
Statesville
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As a former skater who grew up, joined the military, served during the first Gulf war, went to college, earned two degrees and then went to law school, I couldn't agree more.
This was a problem 25 years ago, and it is still a problem today. Many communities have grown past this issue, but many more have not.
Physically, skateboarding requires the total body strength of a swimmer, mixed with the ability to overcome fear that is found only in full contact sports like football, and the level of dexterity and balance are impossible to compare.
Even books such as The World is Flat would suggest that it is better to bring this activity into the light instead of pushing it underground into the darkness. Push it underground and kids are more likely to be forced to rebel and then get into real trouble.
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