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Directed by Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown and executive produced by John Legend, “United Skates” is more than a roller skating documentary. It is a film about race and segregation, hip-hop culture, and personal expression. I have become fascinated about the social and cultural connections between African-Americans and roller skating since I saw the short film about the Atlanta roller skating rink, Cascade. The film brought back so many good memories of me skating in my youth in Atlanta. But the film also highlighted something deeper and personal that I didn’t realize till I was older. Growing up, I was very shy and skating allowed me to come out of my shell. I learned to dance on roller skates. I took risks on skates. It was a place that I learned a little about myself and wasn’t afraid to share it with others.

88Nine Radio Milwaukee

Growing up in Atlanta, I became a huge lover of roller skating. It was one of the few things that put a huge smile on my face when I was young. It was a place where I got to hear and skate to early hip-hop music. And just like most things I enjoyed in my youth, they become faint memories in my adult years. However, in some cities, roller skating still lives in cities like Atlanta’s Cascade roller rink, which is part of the city’s African-American cultural fabric.

A new documentary called “United Skates” takes a closer look at the role of roller skating in the African-Amerian community. You can catch the film this afternoon at 4:30 pm at The Oriental Theater followed by a skate party at Butler Skateland.