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Issue 2, Semester 2 LUCINDA REINHARD I have it on good authority that there have been rumblings amongst the ranks of the Law School academia. It started as an eye twitch when the first trees came down, and has grown each day correlative with the number of cute sk8r boiz and gurls (I should pick up skating to increase the numbers) who began appearing, grinding along those sweet, sweet slabs of concrete, still free of skate stoppers (metallic bits that attach to architecture to ruin fun for the skaters, and a good night’s sleep for the homeless).  Illustration by Lily Hart I for one enjoy the spectacle. I find it a far more interesting activity to watch than cars looking for a park in Parkville (who names these places?). I respect the skills required to pull off the sik tricks. I appreciate that there are people who will dedicate hours to using that park, with a community built around honing those sik tricks. How many hours do you spend in the park? Gazing at it wistfully from your study spot doesn’t count. It is almost as if the architect purposely created open concrete spaces with ledges to encourage a multi-purpose use—perhaps something to offset the classic ‘professionals on their lunch break’ standard?
When people complain that skaters have overtaken their public spaces, is it because they believe that their use is more valuable than another’s? Is it because counter-culture is counter-culture, and sik tricks don’t make you a productive citizen? Is it because stinky teens from the burbs should not be seen in manicured urban spaces? I don’t really know. If anyone has the answers, hit me up. I’ll be with the skaters drinking Fanta and smoking Pocky. Lucinda is a Third Year JD Student. Lily is a Third Year JD Student. Comments are closed.
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December 2021
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