On Sunday, Jamal and I tried something a little different. I realized that I had come up with most of the ideas for our outings, so when he asked about going to the local skating rink for a free, ‘family skate’ session, I thought it would be a good idea. My fiancé decided to join us so that she could meet Jamal and spend the afternoon getting acquainted. Having visited local skating rinks in many suburban settings, I was interested to see what differences I would find in a ‘hood’ roller rink.
One of the first things that grabbed my attention was that the hood had actually named the local family fun center after America’s favorite home fried chicken, Shake and Bake. Fascinating. Then there was the thumping loud rap music that could be heard from the moment we entered the vestibule. It was so loud that the ticket booth lady and I had to repeat ourselves constantly while I bought the tickets. Why would anyone think it appropriate to blast Clipse, T.I. and Snoop for the 10 and under crowd? To my utter amazement, the DJ did not play a single R&B, Pop, or any form of non-rap tracks for the duration of the ‘family skate.’ He did however, play the edited versions so that the children were only treated to the first syllable of each profanity or innuendo. I was also surprised to see that the rink had employed not one, but two rink bouncers to man the doors between the ticket booth and the rink. How many guys does it take to tell the first graders not to cut line?
On a more positive note, I witnessed in person what could be described as rhythmic figure skating/skate dancing, but is officially known as Jam Skating. I’m sure that this has probably been around since the 80’s or before, and I have seen it in a number of music videos from the past few years, but never in an actual rink. Jam Skating was featured in that horrible movie, 'Roll Bounce' that made a brief stop in theatres on its way to DVD last year. Throughout the session, some of the older boys and the rink referees demonstrated some serious moves; spins, bounces, shakes, and glides and all with the rhythm of the tracks. They were quite a sight to behold. I have to admit, I felt really out of touch. I spent most of my formative years in the rink trying to run my brothers off the track, or just seeing how fast I could go with no regard for rhythm or coolness.
Jamal and I raced around the rink a whole bunch of times, playing cat and mouse, and weaving in and out of crowds. Periodically, I broke away to force my fiancé to venture away from the wall around the rink for a lap or so. After about 45 minutes, it became clear to me why I used to resort to trying to ram my brothers and friends into the walls. There’s not a whole lot to do other than go in circles over and over. But since Jamal was having a good time, I just kept rolling.
This outing really brought out Jamal’s thoughtful and caring side. He repeatedly offered to buy us lunch, and even offered to leave early when he noticed that I was getting tired. I normally wouldn't let him see me like that on an outing, but I had worked a 24 hour shift the day before. He also purchased some light up jewelry for us to use during the ‘lights out’ skate half way through the session. I didn’t take him up on the lunch, but gladly accepted my flashing ‘power ring.’ Even though it is already broken, probably never to flash again, I’m going to keep the ring as a souvenir. Maybe the two of us will share a laugh years down the road about flashing jewelry and our trip to the fried chicken skating rink.
7 comments:
Fried chicken skating ring? Sounds absolutely hilarious. I am glad that you had the opportunity to go skating with Jamal. You seemed to really enjoy yourself. I especially like the fact that you are going to keep the jewelry as a souvenir. Pretty sweet! Again, keep up the good work. I enjoy reading your encounters with Jamal and am thankful that there are mentors like you. I hope to learn from your example. Blessings.
Are you serious? I mean, are you really that out of touch with the human experience that you have no clue about an extra-curricular activity such as roller-skating? To you, it is acceptable to run someone into a wall and become an accessory to causing severe physical injury, but dance and rhythm as innocent fun is completely unheard of! There is so much indirect racial and class discrimination in your article that it's pathetic you think this way and see no harm! And you're a medical student, huh? So exactly what are your thoughts when you encounter a patient who may be wearing slacks and a Rolex versus Timberland boots and gold chain? And another thing, who wrote the previous comment? You or your clueless fiance? Nevermind, you probably do not comprehend any of the above and the both of you will continue to "learn from your [alienated, objective] example".
Wow,
Someone is bent out of shape. Clearly, you didn't pick up on some of my sarcasm and irony. I have a clue about skating, I did it regularly as a kid. My point was that I had never seen jam skating (they don't do that much in the suburbs). And when I was 12, it really wasn't a big deal to body check your little brother into a wall. Ever heard of hockey?? Don't twist things.
What's the difference between discrimination and noticing 'cultural differences'? Sometimes that can be a very thin line depending where you are and what you're discussing. West Baltimore is very different from anything that I've seen, and it's pretty obvious that it's not a healthy place for a child to grow up. I pointed out some of the elements that make it a less than ideal environment as well as some of the elements which make it uniquely cool.
As a black man, I have good enough sense to know that you cannot dismiss someone based on the superficial as I am on the receiving end of that frequently. I wear Timberlands to the hospital myself sometimes, so I probably wouldn't discriminate based on that. But if they were wearing a doo rag, smelled of weed, and talked street... Yeah, I'd have to make sure they received the poorest medical care. kidding.
As a first time vistor to your site, I have read several of your blogs and have found them to be very refreshing and inspiring. Since your from PG and not a Baltimorean I must school you on where the name "Shake and Bake" came from and its not fried chicken. The Baltimore Neighborhood Recreation Center, better known to the natives as "Shake and Bake" was the brianchild of a former Baltimore Colts wide receiver by the name of Glenn Doughty. Doughty wanted to build a center that could be used by the less fortunate citizens of Baltimore and with his private money and funds provided by the city was able to do so. The center carried his nickname "Shake and Bake", which is what he did to opposing cornerbacks. Doughty privately operated the center for several years and them sold it to the city, who renamed it, but the previous name has always stuck.
I know the blog is about you and Jamal and the great things you are doing, but this brought back some memories for me.
I'm glad "anonymous" straightened out the name issue. If you happen to catch any old Baltimore Colts clips on NFL films, check out #35 -Glenn "Shake and Bake" Doughty.
I was actually at the grand opening of Shake and Bake when I was about 11 years old. After growing up and then doing almost 20 years in the military, I rode down Pennsylvania Ave to try to see if I could locate the building and there it was with the original name.
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this article is really amazing, it's delicious, my grandmother always tasted with a glass of milk
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