I'm a guy, and being one I'm excluded from Roller Derby for the most part. I'm not complaining, though. Not by a long shot. I help out when I can, and I'm training to be a referee so that I can be as big a part of this sport as possible. In fact, the impossibility of my being a player actually makes it more... real for me, I guess. I couldn't figure out how to put my thoughts of just how awesome this whole deal is until I read Down and Derby, by Jennifer "Kasey Bomber" Barbee and Alex "Axles of Evil" Cohen. In it, it goes over almost everything one needs to know to be involved in the sport, including the non-skating elements. However, leave it to an announcer to give me the best quote of the book.
When asked what the best part of being an announcer for Derby is, Randy Pan the Goat Boy (aka Jack Merriman of the Rat City Roller Girls) said it best, and anyone who loves the sport but can't skate with the team for specific reasons (i.e., being a dude) can affirm that he's spittin' the truth here...
"For me, it's being a part of a revolution. Not to be hokey, but that's what I truly feel roller derby is. It's the biggest "fuck you" to the status quo (sports status quo, male-dominated -anything status quo, corporate-Satans-running-everything status quo, etc.).
To be a guy involved in a revolution run by women is a special privilege. Granted, that puts me on the ass end of the totem pole, but I can hang there for a change, it's about time.
Tied for that is the life of it all. What I mean is, when you're doing derby you are truly engaged in living, not just waiting to die. You're taking an opportunity that life has given you, as opposed to watching other people do it. There's so much love that comes with this. You're in a community where everyone supports each other and loves each other for it, even if we don't all like each other. So yeah, best part is revolution, life, and love. Goddamnit, I sound like a hippy, I better go eat a fucking steak now."
Truer words are seldom spoken.
Song of teh post: Born to Kill, by The Damned
Announcer of teh post: Latenight Lyle, of VCRD
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