California Recreation

Look up through the viewfinder and listen to the men that have gone before you. Being present, like in homeroom when the teacher takes attendance is infinitely better than being absent. The subjects in this photograph taken outside the California Recreation Center have taught me about what really matters by listening to their personal journeys.

The first professional black skateboarder out of Long Beach, California, Ron Chatman poses with praying hands between two more professional skateboarders out of Long Beach, California Rob Gonzalez (left) and Danny Montoya (right). These gentlemen rip on the streets, but extend kindness like the grace of perfectly landing difficult skateboard maneuvers. Inside the California Recreational Center a meeting was being held by former council-member of the 7th District Mike Donelon and council-member of the six district Dee Andrews for the planning of McBride Skate Park. Their involvement was an integral part of this project.

There is an important history behind this photograph. Danny and Rob grew up near Ron. They looked up to Ron Chatman because of his expert skill in skateboarding. Ron has appeared in classic skate videos such as ‘Useless Boney Boys’ (1990) directed Mark Nisbet and World Industries’ ‘Rubbish Heap’ directed by Spike Jonze.

Rob, Ron and Danny show compassion toward the Long Beach community by being present and making themselves available to partner with city officials dedicated to uplifting the youth who live in life-threatening areas through action sports. Not knowing which kid has parents or even a father present in their living quarters helps reinforce the point of showing up to these local skate park movements where the youth can establish positive role models rather than the illicit role models flowing throughout the city streets. In the end, they will decide which path to take. Hopefully to become shredders and rippers. They’re living proof of what you can accomplish when you shred and rip all the way toward each goal set forth.