| Think about what you hear about skateboarding in | | | | skateboarding as they are more valuable than you |
| the media and you will realize that most of it is | | | | might think. |
| negative in nature. This is a trend that really needs to | | | | However, let one of the professional skateboarders |
| stop because it doesn't show the whole picture of | | | | get injured during an event or practice and it is on |
| what is really taking place out there concerning it. In | | | | every news site out there. Along with it is the |
| fact, the media can put a twist on it to indicate that | | | | sensationalism about skateboarding being too |
| skateboarding is linked to violence. Let's take a look | | | | dangerous and that they are risking it all to take on |
| at a few of those stories they have covered. | | | | more complex moves. These types of introductions |
| In October of 2008 a teenage boy was brutally | | | | are often followed by statistics about injuries in the |
| murdered in queens. It was discovered by police a | | | | sport. Yet they fail to show the entire picture as |
| few days later that another teenager had done it. | | | | they don't talk about how many people get out |
| The two boys had been fighting over a skateboard | | | | there on a skateboard daily and don't get injured. |
| and that led to the death. The focus of this story | | | | It is important that you let your views about this |
| should have been the death of the young man and | | | | type of coverage relating to skateboarding be |
| even youth violence. Yet the focus that many | | | | known. When you see such negative stories offered |
| reports took was that it involved too boys that | | | | on TV or online, take the time to contact those |
| were labeled as skateboarders. | | | | entities and tell them how you feel. Offer them some |
| Now, when is the last time you saw a news story | | | | topics that are more positive for them to cover |
| that covered young men and women having a good | | | | relating to the sport as well. If enough people take |
| time practicing on their skateboards? Where are the | | | | the time to do this, they will have to come to the |
| pictures of them working with each other to learn | | | | realistic conclusion that there is so much about |
| more and to help improve skills? Where are the | | | | skateboarding that they aren't seeing. |
| stories on kids that have taught themselves to | | | | As they begin to cover more of the positive |
| perform some of the very complex tricks of the | | | | elements of skateboarding, it can change the image |
| professionals? Sadly, if you want them you will have | | | | that many in society have about it. That is important |
| to find skateboarding specific magazines and | | | | because those that take part in it have had a bad |
| websites. | | | | reputation based on stereotyping for too long. |
| Speaking of professionals, they often don't get great | | | | Removing those problematic views can help people |
| media coverage either. They are part of sports | | | | to see this sport for what it really is. This is one that |
| events all over the world, but there is very little live | | | | requires skill and dedication. There are some amazing |
| coverage of them. Unless you turn to skating | | | | people that take part in skateboarding and they |
| oriented magazines and websites you may not even | | | | deserve some positive support for all of their effort. |
| know about most of the events that take place, let | | | | If you don't speak up though those types of |
| alone the results of them. Make sure you tune into | | | | negative coverage are going to continue being the |
| these types of resources if you are into | | | | norm. |