DeKorda Jackson in Youngstown, Ohio, like Aaron Shafer and his disciples here in Memphis, recognize the power of skateboarding to turn around young lives…and even a city.
Mr. Jackson is campaigning for Youngstown to have a skate park. Rather than complaining after moving from Atlanta to Youngstown, he using the skate park as the vehicle to turn around his hometown’s negative images.
Here’s a great video of Mr. Jackson explaining why skateboarding matters so much to him. It also reminds us why plans for skate parks – and yes, it’s plural – in Memphis offer so much potential.
I would suggest that Dakorda Jackson would have served his own future better had he thorougly applied his acdemic skills to pursue more academic achievement while attending Gardner-Webb University.
Skateboarding is not likely to make Jackson a success in America, or in a terrible city like Youngstown.
He might consider also losing the earrings, getting a haircut, and studying and completing something a bit more challenging than bs sociology courses.
He, as a black man in America does not have the luxury to waste time on worrying about whether Youngstown Ohio has a ‘skatepark’. He faces far too greater challenges than this.
Translation: why ‘ontcha get a harcut. (apologies to easy Rider.)
Dear Skateboarderdude,
I fear your post only shows your own ignorance. As a PhD in Sociology I frequently have students such as you in my classes. When they are failing while making quite good grades in their Chemistry and Calculus classes they come to me moaning and whining about how they should be doing better in the “bs sociology” classes. I point out to them that understanding human bahavior is mush more difficult than understanding the simple realities of how chemicals relate to each other and how numbers relate in a purely hypothetical world.
My ignorance ? Mr Geroge ?
Looks like I struck a nerve about bs sociology. that’s unfortunate. You should not be so easily rattled.
You have every right to think what you will. If you think Dekorda Jackson has a future in taking a bunch of crap courses in sociology, that’s fine….I don’t. I don’t believe that choice (or skateboarding) will provide him the same future opportunities as finishing his advanced degrees say, in medicine, dentistry, law, software development, physics, molecular engineering, biology, architecture, chemical engineering, or even education to name a few.
Advanced degrees in sociology ? okay. The major avenue or opportunity there is to do what YOU do…..TEACH….otherwise, nobody in business or physical science gives a crap.
If you have paid attention lately, the US doesn’t need more “sociologists”..and my point about Dakorda Jackson was that he might consider a more productive use of his alleged “skills”. No body cares about his abilities or thoughts about the merits of “skateboarding”.
A Black man such as this, is wasting his precious time focusing on such crap. He’s wasting his energy on such a “project”.
I would encourage him, and many others, to go accomplish something “else” far more important for himself, his family, his community, his race pride, his forefathers, and his own future.
“Skateboarding” should be near the bottom of his list of things to do.
If he were my own son, or relative, I would “jerk a knot” in him, for being such a bonehead…then I would hold up a mirror for him to take a close look at himself…deeply.
George, a paraphrased quote from the great Sir Isaac Newton seems apropos to your post: “I can calculate the movement of the stars, but not the madness of men.” (He lost a fortune in a South Seas financial bubble).
Dear Skateboarderdude,
I acknowledge the point that you are trying to make by saying that as a black man in America, DeKorda Jackson has numerous challenges to face and I completely agree with you in that regard. However, I must say that your view needs to be widened a bit. As a black male growing up in Brooklyn, NY then relocating to the predominantly white suburbs (only black family in the neighborhood and in the school), I am well aware of the challenges that are ahead. I started skateboarding at the age of 14 and 14 years later I’m still here with a passion for skateboarding like no other. As a youth, skateboarding taught me things that teachers and my parents could not (regardless of how hard they tried): discipline; work ethic; and delayed gratification. There is no test to determine my achievements or level of proficiency when it comes to skateboarding. As you, and anyone who skates knows, skateboarding takes a lot of practice, hard work, and the ability to learn from each failed attempt in order to attain a level of personal gratification and success. All of these life skills that I learned by skateboarding I have been able to apply to my academic career. Not to sound conceited or arrogant by any means, but I have been extremely successful in that I have graduated college in 4 years with a BS in Microbiology and earned my PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pathology and currently research brain tumors. Your argument for Mr. Jackson needing to change the things that he identifies with him and his character are null and void. I have come across many professionals (physicians, pastors, lawyers, scientists, businessmen, college professors) that have dreads. I myself have multiple tattoos and 0-gauge plugs in both ears.
Furthermore, the validity of your comment “Skateboarding is not likely to make Jackson a success in America, or in a terrible city like Youngstown” is also not well thought out. Do you recall Kareem Campbell? If not, here is the story, black male born in Harlem, NY relocated to LA, one of World Industries best skaters and founder of Axion skate shoes. His company grossed over $48 million within a few years of its inception. Do you think that may qualify as a successful story? In short, skateboarding offers a creative outlet, hope, and life skills to those who may not be reached by conventional methods. If it were not for skateboarding and the fellowship of likeminded skaters, I would not be where I am today. So Skateboarderdude, please understand that skateboarding is a lifestyle and a community in which we support each other and appreciate one another. People like DeKorda Jackson is what keeps true skateboarding alive.
Second, If he were my son or relative, I would teach Dakorda Jackson how to recognize when he is getting “used” as a “mouthpiece”, and being dangled in front of others like a puppet in an effort to legitimize somebody else’s crusade (especially a group of narrow thinking white men in Youngstown, Memphis or any other city).
Third, I would take him somewhere to get him some decent mainstream clothes…and eliminate any shirt that has “GIRL” written on it.
Dakorda Jackson doesn’t realize the obstacles he places in his own way. He needs to learn some realities about society….which he obviously has not even while taking those bs sociology classes.
NYC
Skateboarding is a sport of ‘sort’…fine. Let’s not suggest that it’s some carthartic exercise, or some kind of panacea for Black youth. That’s silly.
I would say the same thing about being focued on basketball, thinking he or others are goin to make it to the NBA.
That’s crazy. It’s a game, it’s a sport. The vast majority of black and minority youth don’t need to be sold some pipedream.
Let’s not glorify skateboarding for heaven’s sake. It’s relatviely unimportant in the scheme of things !
Families and commuinities build character…sport “may” help in the process. Sometimes sport does nothing (just visit any blacktop basketball center in urban America, and you will see, hear and experience the obvious failings).
Let’s not be fooled, mislead, or overly impressed by anecdotal “SUCCESS” stories about a limited number of Blacks. Most successful business people or other professionals were not, are not skateboarders for heaven’s sake (or basketball players, or surfers either).
Let’s not pretend here. Black males in this country, are still faced with hurdles that measurements that others don’t have. We have not come that far yet. Dakorda Jackson should not be lulled into a false sense of security and purpose. Dakorda Jackson should focus on the things that really matter.
Skateboarding was not the componet of any historical Black man’s rise to his own challenge…even in the face of untold hardship.
Dakorda Jackson should keep that in the back of his mind at all times, and not let bullshit ‘take parking space’ in his own nappy-dread-locked head. I dare say his own grandparents might say the same thing. He should never allow himself to be “used” by The Man…lol…The Man always puts his own agenda upon the likes of Dakorda Jacksons of the world. Dakorda Jackson should be already aware of that…but he’s not likely to learn that wasting his time on a piece of wood/fiberglass skootin’ down a piece of goddam concrete.
Thank you George and NYC Skateboarder for offering relevant and supportable feedback and critique on this topic.
It seems the success that Mr. Jackson and others may encounter in pursuing their passion while simultaneously providing a resource for the betterment of a communities youth will be derided by at least one. In contributing one’s skills, talents and energies toward a neighborhood or city, there will always be those who believe they somehow know better despite all evidence to the contrary or the fact that they themselves have no prior experience or knowledge of the topic at hand. While they may believe they can relate the likely experience and viewpoint of an entire segment of society on these pages, they represent nothing more than their own unsubstantiated and jaded views.
Skateboarderdude, you have pointed out numerous times on this blog under other pen names that you know exactly what needs to occur in order to address the pressing needs of those isolated by poverty. I once again challenge you to identify the correct program that will provide the silver bullet that you support so often at this site.
I believe that Mr. Jackson’s own experience speaks volumes more than anyone who simply thinks they know what “vast majority of black and minority youth need”. If his investment is leveraged towards bringing success to only a handful of those from severely disadvantaged backgrounds, then more power to him. I think we need to let Mr. Jackson define what success is for himself where his own investments are concerned and not allow stereotypes to interfere.
It’s funny that some of you think other posters ‘have no experience’ or the only opinion that matters is their own.
That’s pathetic thinking- why be so disturbed by another’s opinion ?
Then some of you ‘issue CHALLENGES’ ? That’s nuts. No one is required to agree, or ‘answer’ some bs ‘challenge’.
No one answers to another poster…duh…lol
Yeah buddy, that’s what society needs : more skateboarders !
Never mind some kids can’t speak English correctly, or compose a paragraph, or know how to behave, or think.
LOL
If Dakorda Jackson can waste his valuable time, God Bless him….and I can talk about how stupid that choice it as well, right ?
And of course no local white architect really cares about what a Black young guy does in wasting his time in the first place…heck, it’s fine with him if he were just another ghetto-acting thug because he then would :
” define what success is for himself where his own investments are concerned and not allow stereotypes to interfere”
ha ha
My opinion is that Dakorda Jackson is wasting his precious time, and losing focus on priorities.
LOL
What one person deems as success can be viewed as a failure in others eyes. With that being said, how would you know exactly what challenges Mr. Jackson has ahead of him? Better yet, can you name all of the challenges I have had to face in my life and academic pursuit? I highly doubt that you can do that in the same way that I cannot detail your struggles or that of anyone else for that matter. You, nor I, nor Mr. Jackson are representatives for the entirety of Black America, we are individuals with individual struggles, successes, and shortcomings. Your postings make it seem like you know everyone’s history, what everyone needs, and what others are thinking. That is not the case, you and I both know that. However, I understand that you have your own opinion, and that’s a great freedom that we have in this country provided by the First Amendment. The fact is that DeKorda Jackson has realized that skateboarding has done something positive for him and he wants to share that with others. He is not recruiting skateboarders. If Youngstown is that bad of a place, then why wouldn’t you give thanks to have someone like DeKorda trying to make it a slightly better place, even if it is just through skateboarding. I would honestly like to hear all that you have done to improve your community and the fate of young Black America (in your community or at large) and if it was successful so that maybe we can share these tips with DeKorda Jackson and the like rather than have you just berate him.
Lastly, in response to your statement: “Skateboarding was not the componet of any historical Black man’s rise to his own challenge…even in the face of untold hardship.” Just because it has not been in the past does not mean that it cannot be in the future.
Well, we have here a poster who is CLAIMING the ability to assess the prospects of people he doesn’t know and hasn’t MET based on his own stereotypes. All the WHILE, claiming to be a former U.S. Marine, a black person, having a second home in Destin (probably a doublewide). Among OTHER things. Shekel, you’d have more credibility if you would stop trying to PRETEND you’re a different person each time you post.
And if you want to CRY that I’m unfairly attacking you the poster rather than your ideas, well,….”And of course no local white architect really cares about what a Black young guy does in wasting his time in the first place.”
LOL.
NYC- excellent post. Per the “Skateboarding was not the component of any historical Black man’s rise to his own challenge…even in the face of untold hardship”, that assumes that the original author’s comment has any credibility. I know that they have not done a survey of all successful African American’s in this nation to determine what events or activities they consider as important to creating the life they now lead. There are a few that will not recognize the accomplishment of those who do not strive to address the issues they personally consider important in the manner they believe said issues should be addressed. Mr. Jackson’s pursuits are noble and no doubt the passion he shares for the sport and his interest in bettering his community will have a lasting impact.
“Never mind some kids can’t speak English correctly, or compose a paragraph..” Perhaps it is too easy, but the fact that Skateboarderdude would make this comment considering their assault on the English language to date is laughable.
Ah yes, let the cybergang attacks begin !
My comments on Dakorda Jackson were my own opinions, and no one must agree. I could not care less, really..I’m not trying to obtain any endorsements here on the WEB.
What are you ? nuts ? lol
And, I hate to break it to you, I’m not black either…lol
Second, I need not describe what I’ve done for any community in order to satisfy anyone, right ? are you for real ? surely you can’t be that out of touch…LOL
Also, what’s this “credibility” crap ? I don’t try to win anyone over..lol….that’s crazzzzzy on the WEB ! I’m not your friend, not your bud, not your associate, and I’m certainly not trying to win any medals awarded by any other poster on a WEBSITE. Ha ha ha
Get real people ! push yourselves back a bit from the glow of the flatscreen, you’re in a bit too deep.
Breathe…it’s crrazzzy ! I’m not submitting ‘papers’ to be ‘graded’ here on the WEB either..I’m not your freekin student in your classes ROFLMAO I’m posting my own opinions and too bad some of you actually think your recoil, etc affects my doing so..now how NUTTY is that ?
P/S What’s this crap about Destin ?? I never liked the Redneck Riviera…lol….it’s got too many rednecks from Memphis, Birmingham, and Jackson MS…LOL
Unintentional self-parody at this point, Shekel.
Dear Skateboarderdude,
You have provided support for the notion that ignorance is bliss.
Even the ignorant have the ability, ergo right to opinion, and to state it forthrightly…lol
sticks and stones, pal – ever heard of just ignoring ? I see Memphis can’t change…lol
“ever heard of just ignoring ?” Take your own advice sometime, pal. I see you can’t change either….
I don’t think Dakorda (nice name- sort of like “Anfernee”, sort of like their moms probably meant Dakota, and Anthony maybe , but couldn’t pronounce or spell either ??)
probably did not finish his time in college ??
Just guessin, just sayin
Now, we’re sinking to the level of making fun of people’s names. Have you entered puberty yet?
well, the names of “Dakorda” and “Anferenee” are in fact odd and are obviously aberrations of the English Language, and those names aren’t found in any other known language it seems..
face it, the test is whether YOU would name your own son “Dakorda” or “Anfernee” ? don’t be a white Memphis hypocrite, you probably would not choose such crazy names…but you are too phoney to state so.. I would not do it either…so there
No, I wouldn’t name my kid Dakorda. Nor would I name him Dakota. Or Austin. Or Katelyn. Or Thurston Howell III for that matter. Stop being a white Memphis snot-nosed jerk. Those names are only “odd” b/c you have your own cultural biases you’re unwilling to admit. BTW, shekel, has the U.S. Marine Corp found your service record yet?
I like this name ^^ you like Giannini ?