What I Learned from the Roller-Derby Girls
Recently I spent my Saturday night sitting in the bleachers of a parks and recreation building on the outskirts of Chicago, rooting for Hoosier Mama and Georgia O’Grief. It was a roller-derby match-up between the Windy City Rollers and Seattle’s Grave Danger. In other words, a bunch of tough women sporting helmets and knee pads, flying elbows and fishnet stockings, creative names and impressive bruises.
Not my typical Saturday night.
The roller derby was my friend Jill’s idea. It was her birthday, and everyone knows the birthday girl gets to choose how to celebrate. My fun-loving friend was tired of the same old dinner-and-a-movie routine and had just read an article about the Windy City Rollers, a recently resurrected team trying to gain momentum in the growing roller-derby circuit. So Jill and I decided to plop down our ten bucks and go support the girl power.
I admit our sense of adventure waned a bit when our MapQuest directions took us to a smidge rougher neighborhood than ones we typically frequent. But we took comfort when we saw fellow sedan-driving, capri-clad suburbanites walking toward the venue. So we parked and joined them, along with the spikey pink-haired folks also filing into the arena.
Ever a lover of people watching, I was in heaven. The crowd included an eclectic mix of tattoos and mohawks, grandmas and school kids. The players were decked out in jerseys and shorts or skirts. Jill and I especially loved their old-school roller skates—the kind we each wore as young girls. The players’ game names were emblazoned on their backs—Ann Arkie, Tash Yaround, Anita Applebomb, Katarina Whip. The emphasis was obviously on being rough and tough, which they certainly achieved once the action started.
What struck me most was that not everything within the spandex or fishnets was, well, small or necessarily pretty. These skaters weren’t all thin, toned women—there was some serious weight being thrown around!—but they didn’t seem to care. These women sailed around the roller rink displaying their skill and strategy, working the crowd, and obviously having a blast.
Their confidence was contagious.
The next day turned out to be a brilliant, sunny Sunday. After church, I felt the need to walk to my new Happy Place, a lake about ten minutes from my home. I take a book, sit on one of the benches flanking the lake, and read to my heart’s content.
No matter how hot it is, I always wear capris on my walks—and pretty much everywhere else I go. I just don’t feel like baring my sturdy, lily-white legs to the world. I’d rather sweat profusely than expose my thighs—especially if there’s any sitting involved, when my “sturdiness” tends to squish out all over the place.
But this day, inspired by the roller-derby girls, I boldly donned a pair of shorts. I and my lily-white legs went for a walk. We sat on a bench, squishing and all, for more than an hour’s worth of reading. And we even happily helloed passers-by.
Why? Because I figured if those ample women could don fishnet stockings, work a crowd, and display confidence in their strength, then certainly I could sport shorts and enjoy a beautiful spring day, confident in my strength—the kind that comes not from muscle but from knowing I'm part of God’s good creation. Wholly and unconditionally loved. Beautiful not because I have a certain type of physique, but because I'm a daughter of the King.
As I flip-flopped home, I walked a tad taller in this renewed confidence. A confidence I hope to keep walking in as the summer progresses—and the shorts weather continues.
Just don’t expect to see me in fishnets anytime soon!
Blessings,
What about you? Have you had an experience that’s made you feel more comfortable in your own skin—whatever size or shape you may be?
Posted at 8:00 AM on June 11, 2007.
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I was 50 before I found my inner THP - my Truly Happy Place. It was during my birthday celebrations on the 5th anniversary of my 10th birthday, that I realized I had spent much of my life trying to be acceptable. To whom? To my Mom, to my friends, to passer-bys, to myself. It occurred to me at that moment (some call me a slow learner!) that I am already 100% unconditionally accepted by the King of Kings, and in that realization all the other striving seemed so silly, so useless. A rush of peace overwhelmed me, and as I lookd at the 50 good years facing me - I figured I was in good health and had most of my mind, so 50 more years was certainly attainable, should God choose - I was filled with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful gift given to me so long ago, but one only just then accepted...that of His unconditional love and acceptance through Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross for ME!
These past 5 years since that birthday have been wonderful...I have the perfect body shape (for me), the perfect complexion (for me) the perfect personality (for me) and all the resources of Heaven to use and enjoy. And, I have the unconditional acceptance of the only One who matters - the King of Kings!
Posted by: Sandee on June 11, 2007
Three years ago I reached my goal weight at Weight Watchers and have maintained the almost 40-pound loss. I'm just barely 5' 1" so any extra weight tends to make me look like a beach ball.
It feels good to know that, while I'm not thin, at 52 I really do like how I look and feel.
I recently bought a bathingsuit that's a little skirt and a tankini top -- and I wear it without a big shirt over it.
Maybe this fall I'll put on fishnets and roller skates...on second thought, maybe I won't.
Great column!
Posted by: nancy k on June 11, 2007
A charming story, fishnet stockings and bullpen activity not-withstanding!
This warmly reminded me of Anne Lamott's story about her "aunties" (which I believe were her thighs). I'm glad you made peace with yours. Maybe this will be the start of a whole new "family" relationship!
Posted by: L.L. Barkat on June 14, 2007
The world has lost a wonderful Christian when God called Ruth Graham home.
She was an example to all Christian women.
Posted by: Dottie on June 15, 2007
When I was a kid I used to watch the original Rollar Derby on television. My favorite skater was "Toughie" Maroo-not sure of the spelling so long after the fact. I recall that these women were not in need of "Women's Lib" as they did what they wanted nomatter what the norm was. They were my idols and every day I put on my skates and tore up the sidewalk.
It seems women today worry way too much about what others think, missing great adventures in life.
The author mentioned that the Rollar Derby was in a part of town she did not feel comfortable in, but when others driving cars and wearing clothes (capris) were seen at the venue she went on in.
I don't think this is a story about feeling good in ones skin because of how we look. I think this is a story about courage and and feeling good in one's skin enough to venture out into a place not in one's own comfort zone.
Don't go to the fancy gyms--try one in the Barrio where you can practice your Spanish. Shop in places where you can buy goods generally bought by other ethnic and economic groups than your own. Make friends with people who aren't your age or socio-economic group in places you don't normally visit. If anyone looks at you at all, it won't be because of how fat or thin you are, but rather what you're doing out of your territory. Just smile and make a friend. You'll be spending so much time learning about the world around you that looking good in shorts will no longer be a primary issue.
We're all people--God's creation. Get out there and investigate all of God's it and a few pounds might just fall off and without even thinking about it. Try rollar skating to start.
Liked the article, but oh, how glad I am to be of the generation that grew up with Rollar Derby ladies.
Posted by: Kathy on June 17, 2007
For me, the change came when my Mom passed away in 2003. I was 39 and since the time I was 16, my precious Mom had lived her life with half her face and throat paralysed from a botched operation on a benign tumor behind her ear. In her last few years of life, the tumor returned and the paralysis and it's effects took a toll. Her swallowing became more and more difficult and in her final 8 months, she had her one eye stitched shut (that had not shut properly for 20 years). She stopped eating that summer and literally wilted away. The Lord took her home that October and although I miss her greatly, she left me with a real sense of where true beauty comes from. According to our world's standards, my Mom wouldn't have been considered beautiful (although before her operation she was Elizabeth Taylor beautiful), but to me, she was beautiful and it has taught me to be more concerned about my inner beauty than the outside. The inner beauty is what leaves the legacy!
Posted by: Sue on June 21, 2007
All these stories are good and intersting. I too think us women worry to much about our looks. But this so inspires me to get out there and just live life to the fullest in Christ Jesus!! Just be led by the Spirit and be a blessing. Just be free to be me!! And all of you, be free to be you!
Posted by: Vickey on June 29, 2007
I have to say, that as a roller girl, I am moved by your article. Many people seem to miss the fact that derby embraces and celebrates all body types.
I have always been happy with my body, but derby has taught me to view my body in a totally different way. My body is now my sport and it is a machine with more potential that I ever realized it had. It has also complete redefined what I considered to be physically fit. Women on my team who outweigh me by 50 or more pounds can run me into the ground and have more grace in their pinkies than I have in my entire body. Thank you so much for writing such a positive blog about body image and about derby.
Posted by: Amanda on January 25, 2008