I just started reading Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters: The Struggle over Segregated Recreation in America by Victoria W. Wolcott (2012). It’s about how the fight for Black people to be able to access public spaces was not just about lunch counters and busses , but also amusement parks, pools, roller rinks, and other recreation centers.
In the section on roller rinks, I came across this image of Black protesters outside of the “White City Rink” (yes that was it’s name!) in Chicago in 1946. They were advocating for their right to skate there, along with white skaters. Many rinks re-branded as “private clubs” to exclude Black skaters. Those that were able to gain admittance faced intimidation, threats, insults and physical assaults. Tripping was a common bullying tactic.
But they persevered, and rinks were forced to desegregate, along with many other institutions, thanks to their bravery.
And the struggle continues.