Yes, I’m comparing roller derby to prison*.

Feel free to add how else roller derby is like the amazing Netflix series Orange is the New Black in the comments at the end of this post.

You get a uniform

And sometimes they’re ugly**.

You don’t choose your teammates (but you do choose your friends)



You’re all in the same place, but for different reasons



Your family no longer understands your actions



Getting here is scary

And after a while things get easier. You move up in the ranks. Maybe one day you can run the kitchen. I mean jam.

It’s full of lesbians (Or people who at least temporarily express their queerness)



It’s awkward to run into your derby-skating ex. Or be on the same team with her



Small victories can mean everything



You sacrifice for your teammates



Family visitation

Sometimes, on a weekday in-season, a roller derby skater gets time to see her family or friends. It’s a special, rare moment where the inmate/skater can ground herself in her support system. If only for an hour or two.

And these



*This is the truth disclaimer. I was the statewide prison reporter for my last newspaper. Roller derby is exactly nothing like real prison. But this TV show is fun and roller derby is fun and I’m fun, so here you go.

**But they’re worn by good-looking women, so there’s that.

All images from http://orangeisthenew.tumblr.com/