To what extent do perceptions of skaters as ‘criminals’ affect their access to public spaces? In today’s society perceptions are everything, being stereotyped as a ‘criminal’ can dictate how others treat you. While stereotypes branding skaters as ‘criminals’ shape public perceptions, the impact goes beyond judgment, influencing policies and social dynamics. Skater’s may face increased discrimination and even harassment in public places where their presence and appearance is often met with suspicion. Additionally, these stereotypes can lead to restrictive and anti-skateboarding policies being implemented, which further restricts access to public places where they can pursue their passion. Moreover, in retail settings skaters may experience …show more content…
Despite the growing popularity, skaters still find themselves wrestling with stereotypes that influence their social interactions. While statistics show a 38.8% increase in support for skateboarding, perceptions of skaters as ‘criminals’ continue to shape how they are perceived and treated in social settings. For instance, skaters face discrimination and harassment while skating in public places, such as being confronted by security guards and members of the public who see them as trouble. Moreover, they may encounter challenges in social situations where their identity as a skater leads to negative assumptions about their character, affecting their ability to form meaningful relationships. Often times stereotypes branding skaters as ‘criminals’ shift into discriminatory and regressive policies restricting access to public spaces and establishments. For example, many cities have implemented skateboarding bans and regulations in public places, noting concerns about property damage and safety. These types of policies not only limit skaters’ ability to practice their sport, but also reinforce negative stereotypes about their behaviour. Additionally, this could lead to heightened surveillance and profiling by law enforcement, deepening feelings of marginalization and distrust within the skateboarding community. Therefore, stereotypes labeling skaters’ as ‘criminals’ not only affect
Women of color are treated differently; law does not function as a social mediator between relationships of all people. The focus is on women of colour and how non-white communities are considered inherently violent. By such stereotypes, rape myths create a belief that certain races are more dangerous than others, creating fear based on the social construction of society. Using the ``Slut Walk`` article as an example: women have argued ``it is different for a white middle class women to wear something slutty and march in a parade than a women of colour.`` Due to the social construction black woman are more likely to have their characters stereotype and are seen more promiscuous compared to white woman. (Julie Dowsett Lecture).Stereotyping has even gone so far where a police official made a comment about York university students, referring to the females saying “they should not dress like a slut” to reduce assault (Slutwalk 249). Such rape myths put women on the line, claiming that it is their fault for getting sexually assaulted because they provoke men. “Such stereotypical assumptions find their roots in many cultures, including our own. They no longer, however, find a place in Canadian law” (R. v. Ewanchuck
In Brent Staples article Black Men in Public Spaces, he recalled on times that he was perceived as a mugger, rapist, or burglar on the streets because of his appearance. He began by stating that his first “victim” was a white it wealthy woman in Chicago. After she avoided him, he realized that she was frightened by his presence-- large, black and intimidating. Other incidents, which include him being mistaken for a burglar, instilled anxiety to him. He quickly began to try and change his appearance and how others perceived him by whistling while walking down the streets. Staples used these experiences to show how racial stereotypes have reluctantly changed his behavior in order to be perceived by others in a different way.
Ice hockey, a sport that has been in existence for over two hundred years, has become a fan favorite across the globe. From Canada to Sweden, you will be able to find some of the best ice hockey players in the world; both male and female. This pastime has instilled a unique tradition throughout the years of its practice by a combination of both physical skill and mental strength. Although it did not provide aid to globalization, it has created a worldwide culture that many people are proud to be a part of. Since its inception until now, there has been a great deal of gender stereotyping concerning the sport. Regardless, ice hockey will continue to be a lucrative market, as well as a cherished hobby for many years to come.
Skateboarders strive to find those skatespots because they are the best way of learning harder tricks, without driving miles to a visit a skatepark outside their city. That 's why skateboarders have a tendency to put themselves in risk of prosecution by the police just to be able to reach their goals of becoming sponsored one day. A sponsorship is when a company wants to pay you to represent their product. This isn’t an easy thing to earn, but with a lot of dedication anything can happen. A skatepark nearby will allow kids to start practicing at a young age, so one day they hav... ...
This means that because of the racism that exists within our system, black people are labeled as criminals, even if they have never had a run-in with the law. In the media black people are also all too often portrayed as the “sidekick of a white protagonist, for example, the token black person, the comedic relief, the athlete, the over-sexed ladies’ man, the absentee father or, most damagingly, the violent black man as drug-dealing criminal and gangster thug” (Smith). Shetterly would argue that these stereotypes are damaging to the image of black people as a whole. On the other hand, there are several very successful black people in popular culture who seem to escape those stereotypes. This is the other side of the binary that Shetterly talks about.
The social world of these youths is characterized by violence, internalized street codes, limited opportunities, and the availability of firearms. Violent events are public social performances. These performances often have serious consequences for social identity and personal safety. Wilkinson shows how violence is a resource for gaining/maintaining social identity (masculinity) and status on the street. The dynamic of moving from victim to victimizer is clearly understood in the socio-cultural context of the street.
Through a personal anecdote Rebecca Walker, in her essay “Putting Down the Gun,” claims that the stereotypes imposed on young females and males, daunt them from undertaking what they truly want. By the use of dialogue Walker argues that societies beliefs on what are the ‘feminine’ and ‘masculine’ traits are only hindering the young kid from their true selves. “‘Boys talk about sports, like their matches and
misconceptions. Stereotypes are a big image or idea of a particular group, type of person, or
Skateboarding Is Not A Crime Each year hundreds of thousands of skateboarders get arrested each year for just skateboarding and about 5/6 of them didn’t commit a hurtful crime. Every day, at least one skateboarder gets arrested. Skateboarders don’t just get arrested but also get tickets, and there are a lot more tickets than there are arrests. If skateboarding was looked upon as a sport this many arrests and tickets would not occur. A group of teenagers could go out, get drunk then go rob stores and beat up people for no reason but a group of skateboarders are considered criminals.
A race issue that occurs within the rap and hip-hop musical genre is the racial stereotypes associated with the musical form. According to Brandt, and Viki rap music and hip- hop music are known for fomenting crime violence, and the continuing formation of negative perceptions revolving around the African-American race (p.362). Many individuals believe that rap and hip-hop music and the culture that forms it is the particular reason for the degradation of the African-American community and the stereotypes that surround that specific ethnic group. An example is a two thousand and seven song produced by artist Nas entitled the N-word. The particular title of the song sparked major debates within not only the African-American community thus the Caucasian communities as well. Debates included topics such as the significance and worth of freedom of speech compared with the need to take a stand against messages that denigrate African-Americans. This specific label turned into an outrage and came to the point where conservative white individuals stood in front of the record label expressing their feelings. These individuals made a point that it is because artists like Nas that there is an increase in gang and street violence within communities. Rap and hip-hop music only depicts a simple-minded image of black men as sex crazed, criminals, or “gangsters”. As said above, community concerns have arisen over time over the use of the N-word, or the fact that many rappers vocalize about white superiority and privilege. Of course rap music did not develop these specific stereotypes, however these stereotypes are being used; and quite successfully in rap and hip-hop which spreads them and keeps the idea that people of color are lazy, all crimin...
“All gymnasts are tall and skinny, they only care about winning, and they are all perfectionists”, is what I hear when people talk about gymnastics. When I tell people I’m a gymnast they always say “You’re too short to be a gymnast” or “How can you get yourself to flip when you are so close to the ground?” Also they always just assume I am very competitive or all I care about is winning. They also assume that I am a perfectionist. These are common stereotypes I hear the most about gymnastics.
A group of people who leads others to cheer especially at a pep rally or athletic event. That's the definition of cheerleaders. But stereotypes seems to block the positive energy coming from the cheerleaders and make them look negative. Cheerleaders main goal is to pump up the crowd and cheer on their team. However, when the students and parents neglect that it doesn't just mock the cheerleaders, it also takes away the spirit of the football/athletic team. There are so many stereotypes, but some of them include: cheerleaders aren't intelligent, cheerleaders aren't athletes, cheerleading isn't dangerous, boys can’t be cheerleaders and cheerleaders are snobs. I believe that stereotypes should not run cheerleaders lives or anyones for that matter especially if they're not true.
Adolescents like to have a place they can call their own. In the fifties, teenagers hung out at the malt shop, sipping cherry cokes and rockin' with Elvis. Today, in small town USA, they're jam skating while listening to the favorite group of the month. I was amazed to find a microcosm of life blooming on a 70 x 160-foot cement slab known as a roller skating rink.
Kubrin, C. (2005). Gangstas, thugs, and hustlas: Identity and the code of the street in rap music. Social Problems, 52(3), 360–378.
All moderately sized towns should have a skatepark for three main reasons: it will make the town look like a nice place to live, the kids in the town won’t be getting into trouble for skating around town, and it is a lot safer than skating in the streets. In countless cities around the world, well-built skateparks have also been proven to be valuable community assets with tremendous benefits. Instead of viewing skateboarding as a negative problem that needs to be solved, these forward-thinking communities have found ways to embrace these sports while showcasing their artistic and acrobatic spirit(“The Benefits”).