[sporkydistance]

"Skaters skate not gatekeep people"

That's the overstatement of the century. In group / out group always has gatekeepers by definition.

Not sure where you grew up, but I sold skateboards at a bike & ski store for a while in the early 80's and skaters were absolute dicks about their self-enforced hierarchy. Skater culture claims to be inclusive but holy fuck that's a lie if you accidentally buy equipment just a tiny bit above your skill level.

I got to see this first hand: as the point of retail sale for their replacement parts, they confided in me because they needed to buy things from me, so they would tell me who the posers were and rip on them mercilessly. Just like any other ingroup.

[Fricken]

Well you do have to have a skateboard and ride it to be part of the in-group but skateboarders are well reputed for being inclusive and super supportive of anyone who wants to learn. The sport is tolerant of weirdos because many of its legends are weirdos as well.

[sporkydistance]

the "weirdos" had no problem humiliating anyone who tried to skate with them that they deemed a "poser".

please actually read my comment next time.