Has "Sexploitation" entered the R&B skate world? RST Op-Ed Nov. 2006 This past weekend RST received a letter from a concerned skater in response to a Myspace.com website which contains the pictorial works of skater and photographer Scott Banks.  His site is titled “Tazz, Your Rolling Photographer” and his online gallery features several photos of skaters and non skaters in various settings.  One part of his exhibit that stands out from all other parts is the slide show of scantily clad women, in a variety of sensual and seductive poses.  Oh -- by the way -- they also happen to have on roller skates.  It is unclear whether the women are actual skaters or are simply models who participated in yet another photo shoot as part of their business and professional dealings. The concerned skater, who desired to remain anonymous, had this to say in the brief letter sent to a number of individuals and groups, including RST:   "A number of us recently received an e-mail from [Scott] Banks regarding  a "My Space" site. I commend you, as editors, publishers, producers, photographers, officers and members of skating clubs, skating groups, members of the archive committee, as well as efforts by individuals, who have labored so hard to bring our roller skating world to where it is today and are still working extremely hard to promote and preserve this great skill for generations to come.  It has been extremely rewarding for all of us to experience the day-to-day, month-to-month, year-to-year involvements in this great skating revolution.  However, are we going to allow negative forces to destroy or interrupt all that our skating world has accomplished?  What about all the children we work so hard with in an effort to socialize them into our skating world? I know teenagers who are yearning to be 21 so they can join our wholesome international skate parties.  This [Myspace site] is not the "freedom" of speech nor publicity we want our skating world  exposed to” Although RST respects the right of all, including Scott Banks, to have “freedom of speech and expression,” we share some of the concerns of the letter writer who questions how the photos reflect positively on the R&B skate community.  Is this what young skaters, particularly girls, need to see? It's much like the world of hip hop videos where scantily clad women reduce themselves, and allow themselves to be reduced, to little more than sex objects and all for 15 minutes of fame, a paycheck, to be on the “A list,” or sometimes for nothing at all – some do what they do for free.  The videos are then shown around the world portraying an image of Black women (primarily) as “video hos.” Ladies boxing champ Laila Ali spoke on this issue a few years back in “Boxing Champ Has Message for Video HOneys”  which can be read on RST's sister site – The Black House. “All you see in Black videos are people shaking their butt,” she said.  “What about other races who turn that on?  They think all Black women are hos and all we got is a big booty and are just trying to show it off.  It's sad.” Can something similar be said about the women in Bank's photo exhibit?  When people look at it, will they come away with an increased respect for roller skating or will the women only be viewed as big bosoms and butts which happen to be on skates?  On the other hand, is this all much to-do about nothing, an over reaction?  Are the photos harmless and simply an expression of the beauty and creativity one photographer saw and chose to display in this manner? After viewing the photos, do you find them offensive or are they, in your opinion, tastefully and respectfully presented?  Share your opinions, views and comments in The Black House's “Skater's Lounge” - a place for skaters to gather for skate related discussions, information and dialogue. NOTE:  As of publication time, Banks had not yet responded to RST's query seeking clarification and comment. - Adeeba Folami - Posted 11/07/06

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