guerrilla goodness: sk8r boyz…
September 10, 2010
I live really close to a beautiful park, it is just one of the 437 reasons why this new house makes me so happy. A group of kids in the neighborhood have turned the tennis courts into their very own skate park. They have built ramps, set it all up, it’s smart and so beyond hipster cool. I wandered over the other day and asked if anyone there wanted pictures. I was super nervous because even though I try to be cool in these situations, I am still the dorky lady with all those kids who lives down the street. Some of the kids were all over it, others gave me piercing “why are you here, don’t defile our awesome park” looks. I snapped just a few shots and left quickly.
Sadly, just yesterday there was an altercation, and somebody’s mother (I know, I know) came back with a gun, dropped it in the scuffle, a skater kid picked it up and brought it to an adult. He was hella brave. All of this is unusual for my neighborhood. Tensions are running high so it seemed so appropriate that my photo lab called to say my order was ready all on the same day.
I had ordered a few of the shots in 8×10’s and had them matted for the kids. We don’t know each other but they do know what I look like, I hope it still counts for semi-anonymous kindness. I left them on their ramps to find when they get home from school today.
I’m always amazed by the timing of kindness…I hope the sk8r boyz let me take their pictures again some day.
*eta: I really never feel unsafe in our park…I think it’s just like any other city park. This was totally an isolated incident.
Kindnessgirl 
September 10, 2010 at 1:21 pm
What a great idea!!! They will be thrilled. It totally counts.
September 10, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I love how you push yourself and others to get out of the comfort zone in service of kindness. I have not been good about documenting my efforts, but they are happening all the same. I know this park, as we have friends who live right on the corner of 30th, and we have definitely heard gunshots before when sitting out on their porch. Be careful, but keep pushing the boundaries of kindness.
September 10, 2010 at 1:41 pm
SO COOL. I love the ideas that come to you and from you!
September 10, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I don’t know the current “lingo” but I think they’ll think you rock
September 10, 2010 at 3:54 pm
You are hella brave, too. I am not as good at stepping outside of my cultural assignment, if you know what I mean. Go, Patience!
September 11, 2010 at 10:58 am
Love this, P — really lovely!
September 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I love this idea! I think it’s so important that we notice all kids. Not just the ones that are small and adorable! The big ones matter too. Lovely! ❤
September 11, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I’ll be doing something like this tomorrow. My girlfriend’s son who is 16 does ‘speed skateboarding’. He and his friends find streets with inclines then they speed down them on their skateboards. It can get pretty scary and his mom is petrified. She won’t watch him do it (can you blame her?!). They’ve been making video tapes for YouTube and just yesterday her son asked me very shyly if maybe I could come photograph him and his friends tomorrow. How can I not? I’m always photographing adults and little kids and babies but not teenagers. It’s their turn and I told them I would print them for them as my gift to them. And I hope I don’t have a heart attack watching them, either! lol
September 11, 2010 at 7:48 pm
P, this is my favorite one yet. What an amazing gift to those boys, such an esteem builder… and how wonderful for a young boy to know that not only is his hobby not an annoyance to neighbors, it is something to celebrate. Bravo.
September 12, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I agree with Gina. You have done something very wonderful for those boys and for your community!
September 12, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Pache,
This is so awesome!!! I know for a fact that those boys will LOVE the pictures. Boys like nothing more than seeing themselves in action. 🙂 Soon you are going to have them knocking on your door!
September 12, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Dear Patience,
I have tears in my eyes. Your kindness (whether completely anonymous or not) astounds me. What a wonderful gift you have given those boys – everyone likes to be noticed & appreciated…
When I was in college I was part of a volunteer program that taught art to inner-city children who wouldn’t otherwise have it. One thing I realized was that sometimes the kids who resisted it were the ones who needed it the most.
Thank you for continuing to share your beautiful gifts!
Be safe.
xo
Kristin
p.s. Your photo of Jack is great & I love his community comment – you are raising a wonderful young man!
September 12, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I heard about that incident. I think the kid who took the gun away was amazing. Doing the right thing when you are scared to death takes great courage. Thanks for honoring the skate boys!
November 10, 2010 at 6:39 pm
You are BRAVE and wonderful. How amazingly awesome that you would do this… i’m new to your blog
i love your KINDness!!
hugs!!
September 18, 2011 at 8:18 pm
somebody thinks im “hella brave”!? that was nice of you to snap those pictures. even the kids giving you the evil eye still love the attention. they all do.
January 14, 2015 at 1:14 pm
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