Sal Masekela on Racism in Surfing - The Inertia
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 18 ноя 2014
- Sal Masekela was not an heir apparent to become the voice and face of surfing or action sports. Far from it. He discovered surfing after moving from Staten Island, New York to Carlsbad, California as a teenager. One day, after hopping on a surfboard at Tamarack State Beach, he fell in love. And from that day, he tossed aside preconceived notions about who belongs where, what boundaries and stereotypes might exist in action sports, and he pursued his new passion with reckless abandon. No matter that kids at his school told him black people couldn’t swim.
They can. And actually, they can become the face and voice of surfing to the world if they work hard enough. Sal did.
The Inertia: Surfing's Definitive Community // www.theinertia.com
Subscribe to our channel: bit.ly/TheInertiaYT
Follow us!
/ the_inertia
/ theinertia
/ theinertia
/ theinertia 
Спорт
I'm African American female surfer/ skateboarder grew up in Jax, Fl. Love the culture and life style and went threw the same thing. Wouldn't change my love for surfing or the ocean.
Exact same thoughts as you Sal. I'm an African Australian surfer and to see anyone of the coloured race qualify for the world tour would be amazing.
Michael February from South Africa is now the first replacement on this year's Tour. I'm confident that next year he will qualify!
Why?
Man! I can fully relate to everything he talked about in this video. I've gotten the 'white-black guy' thing my whole life with everything I do, and I still have to deal with it. I started surfing simply because I love being in the ocean, and I love the rush surfing a wave gives me, there's honestly nothing like it. Sadly some dumbass would always ruin my free joy by bringing up the fact that I'm a 'black surfer'. In my adult age I've learned to just smile and disregard the ignorance, regardless of my skin color I'm just going to be me and do the things I enjoy doing simply because I'm able to. Sal is definitely an inspiration to me, just the same as Kelly slater and Rob machado, they are people who attained much joy in life by simply being themselves regardless of what others think. Respect.
I'm a mixed raced guy from the U.K, and i grew up with the "why do you wanna do that?/stay in your place/ you just wanna be white/black" bollocks from both sides. I always wanted to try this, and skydiving since i was a kid, - I've finally tried both, and they were some of the best experiences of my life. I dont live near the ocean, and i'm too old to dedicate my self to it, but its fantastic to hear and see people of colour actively fighting against stereotypes. Keep fighting the fight, and doing what your doing bro, and always remember theres gonna be a young black kid who will take courage from seeing you doing your thing, and wanna hit the waves too!! One love!
Louis Anthony -
I just hope your consistent and you don't laugh at ethnic comedians that do those 5 cent race jokes (i.e. Whites can't dance, etc.). Respect, brother.
I totally agree and have lived with that same plight as Sal... The Black/White Sk8ter / Surfer... As being "THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRO SKATEBOARDER" and from South Orange County... I share his convictions and are pleased with this narrative of racism in surfing and in general ... Sal and I have met a couple of times and he was always such a genuine soul of which Is quite impressive on a very human level... Ty Sal... ❤️👍
very solid interview. sal is an intelligent introspective human being, i'm a white surfer
One of the greatest role models in all of surfing is a surfer of color,Icah Wilmont from Kingston,Jamaica. He sets the standard for aloha and does so much for the kids. Many very talented & welcoming black surfers in Jamaica. Great waves to!
As a skateboarder and surfer, I started in skateboarding which I had so many diffrent friends, but when I stated long boarding that is when I was the only mexican american surfing HB in 1980's, but I surfed. That was it... Today, we have Bobby Martinez the best example of being free from the formula.... Big Frank
Michael February just made the tour, so it's great to see a more diverse lineup of surfers on the WSL.
In Brazil. Especially in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Bahia we see many black surfers in the line up. We have Jadson, Wiggoly, Victor Bernardo. In the past we had Tinguinha LIma and Jojó de Olivença. On the beaches near the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Mainly in the Arpoador most of the young talents are black. However, the sponsors prefer to support surfers who have the "classic appearance" of Californian surfer, blue-eyed blonde. Just as we have Lewis Hamilton in formula 1. I believe that in a few years we will have a black world champion.
half black, half korean surfer here. i'll be crying tears of joy right w/ you, Sal, the day we see a black kid make the WCT.
raph garrett He already did. Sunny Garcia.
raph garrett check out Lolo bellorin. a venezuela black surfer trying hard to qualify.
3 years later Michael February from cape town made the CT www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/312112/welcome-to-the-tour-michael-february
And Wiggolly Dantas from Brazil
Aidan Aquino he is of color
What a great, insightful, heartfelt and intelligent interview. Condolences on the passing of his famous father.
"...Just thought of myself as a very average surfer, who suffers from a lack of ability to get barreled the way he'd like to on his backhand, and you know, the constant humbling defeat of head dips and bad timing on turns, and getting out there and doing it again." We can all relate to that. .
Wise words bro... But as a black surfer myself, I must testify the fact that fortunately racism has not yet spoiled every part of the world. Guess I'm lucky... I live in Mauritius, tropical island filled with Black/ White/Asian surfers. :-) Take a trip in the Indian Ocean islands and you'll be surprised how divers our surfing world is..
Awesome commentary, thanks for putting together and posting
Loved this. Thanks for sharing Sal.
Respect to Sal, I worked with him back in 2004 to 2006 in the surf industry and he was a real bro. Glad to see this video as I know exactly what he's talking about here in terms of his thoughts and sentiments. California cup 😃!
What a chilled level headed dude, respect mate!
very wise man. I like your words, very well thought out
As a former competitive tennis player in my youth and a lifelong Caucasian surfer, I always have respect for anyone that are pioneers in the process of changing and shattering stereotypes and appreciate the struggle that many still disregard. Keep doing what you love and have passion for...regardless of what others think. Tennis was similar to surfing 40 years ago with hardly any Black superstars (Arthur Ashe was the only one)...now you have the Williams sisters, Naomi Osaka, and many others dominating at the highest level in tennis. Surfing will evolve in the same way and there will be more blacks at the highest level, and possibly even a world champion in the future!
I've always wanted to surf, ever since I saw the movie Soul Surfer . just wanting to be a girl who surfed and maybe impress..some boys lol. Wanted that cool spiritual connection that surfing seems to bring. Yeah im still gonna learn surfing cant wait till Summerrrrrr yeah.
Hope you've had a go! Can't say I've impressed anyone, let alone any boys but made wonderful friends and get a great perspective on the world😉
This was eye opening and inspirational.
Sal Masekela-grown man! Inspirational!
I hear u man no category just excellence and strife
Church ! Wise words good vibes from Mexico !
Inspiring -Great to see this.
I'm an African American Male who was raised in Hawaii by white parents. I've always had a love for surfing and action sports. This phrase your the whitest black person I've ever met has been thrown my way so many times and this is the first time I've heard it summarized so well on how it felt over time.
It doesn't stop my love for people and the ocean but throughout the years it definitely stuck with me and really did start to feel wrong. Sal has always been an inspiration to me and I can't thank him enough for being a role model for people like me. I just hope to continue my love for all things action sports and people the way he does.
This was really insightful
Sal. I think you became my mentor and im older than you.... Im a 54 year old Snowboader and now live near the beach. So want to surf better and not look the " Tourist trying to surf" Loved seeing you on the old school XGames. Blessings to you bruv.
Sal, there already is a junior champion for surfing, in South Africa 🇿🇦, where they filmed Endless Summer I . I happened to see this where the original crew went back to J-bay to see if they had any impact on surfing culture there 50 odd years ago. May I offer you a tissue my brother from another? Blessing on you my fellow Surfer.
Sal speaks the truth here. I’m a a white guy who grew up in the same place, but in the late 90s and early 2000s. As a white guy I heard things from surfers and skaters that Sal was fortunate not to hear. Racism/homophobia is rampant in beach/surf communities, anyone who says different is in denial.
Sal you've been to Fiji... there's some awsome black surfers there, also the caribean and South africa...one day we will see your dream happen. Actually Mickey February is pretty close..so get out the kleenex :)
I'm a white kid I'm play water polo and surf, 2 activities not commonly associated with African Americans everytime I see a African American surfing or playing water polo it makes me happy
Trey Whitaker Por qué dices african american?
Eres tu euro american?
Back when I was in high school one of our best water polo players was a black kid. He ended up playing college water polo in upstate new york.
Trey Whitaker hello Trey.
Everything that he is saying. Everything... I can relate on every level.
I'm surprised at this I'm white from California, beaches and surf is worldwide. No locals only,mother ocean is for everyone
Dean Morrison from Queensland,check him out,was in the top 5 on the world tour,
hahahahah "suffers from the lack of abilty to get barreled the way he would like to on his back hand" that has to be quote of the fucking year
As a black female I wouldn’t mind seeing more colored / black females and males in the ocean ripping
I'm Mexican went to compton high, and the only surfer there'' in the late 80's to early 90's . the school had a swim team and water polo with black guys that were better swimmers than me .
I AM SO INSPIRED BY YOU!!
well said
Cab Spates: Look him up: East Coast LEGEND.
There is a guy named Aiton, a kite surfer, who rocks the world. But I just want everyone out there, flopping or getting better at watersports. Nike said it. Just do it y'all. Oh my... He just said what I said. Yeah
Thank you, I am a black surfer.
As a 25 year Black surfer, I’ve connected with other Black surfers who protect me. We refer to ourselves as a tribe and travel globally. During our travels we purposefully have limited or no interaction with white surfers. Why? The racism and false sense of entitlement is epidemic. Many have tried to infiltrate our tribe, but we respectfully decline. Yes, there are probably a few white surfers who don’t subscribe or partake in racist behaviour, but we prefer to keep it in the family.
During a trip to Santa Monica, a white surfer decided to step out on line. He received a lesson that he’ll remember for the rest of his life. Water should be a peaceful sanctuary, but protecting one’s self is paramount. I’m unapologetic regarding protecting myself or members of my tribe; and won’t change for anyone.
Good to see my folks of African decent paddling out. Don't worry about those who can't handle it. Surfing started in Africa AND Hawaii. We and your ancestors got your back. Dey don't want none of dis...!
Man, I remember seeing sal in surf the in the early 2000s prob even 90s. But I can relate to these situations too growing up in the 80s skateboarding and then the 90s surfing. I was the exception black guy. But in a reverse roll from sal white kids just we're so amazed I was surfing there weren't any racial jokes really. my negative feed back was from black tell me a I'm a wanna be white boy and saying I'm not black and so on. Shit I'm 38 now and I'm still ridings boards and listening to punk.
REAL TALK.AWESOME.I FEEL THE SAME WAY.IF YOUR BLACK SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LIVE LIFE AND EXPLORE OUTSIDE THE BOX.
He's a nice man
yassssss
Beautiful said.
Great! :-)
I'm a black Brazilian surfer living in southern California and I tell you all that most Californians and Australian surfers don't like black people period !!! I have to work extra hard for my waves , many surfers trying to drop in because they don't want to see the black guy getting the best waves !!!
jc s i understand what you go through, the same shit happens to me all the time in Virginia Beach....
bullshit!
I'm sorry. I hope things change for you. Working hard is an excellent attribute though.
Fuck off idiot,I'm black ,I surf, and I'm Australian,more like they don't like Brazzos mate!
Every surfer feels this, especially learning. I think you might be attributing universal experience to racism, which is the tragedy of these times.
"My life is particularly hard because I'm" (pick one or more): a person of color,; female; gay; trans; etc., etc., etc...
during the 70s and 80s the pro surfing tour would go 2 south africa every year...i always assumed it was mainky because they never saw surfing as a multi ethnic sport (especially among blacks native africans or otherwise ) so as a result they probably didnt think that their association with south africa wouldnt result in people being hurt by it...anyway year after year they would cover the south african contests without ever realy doing a serious article about apartheid or even how hawaiin,,or balinese or even local native surfers would potentialaly be treated
Surfing is a “Brown person” sport
I think parents are a major factor, a lot of African American people don't seem to want to live near the beach, they're missing out on some great fun
"don't seem to want to live near the beach", Omg, that is special Lucas. You didn't learn a thing from this.
Right on, man. This guy is the real deal.
I felt awkward in so cal being a brown surfer
Alberto Estrada bro there are tons of hispanic surfers in so cal..go to imperial beach mostley mexicans surfing
Feel every single word “ your jokes are not funny” got a lot of those jokes being a black skater and surfer! It also makes me mad too because surfing is not a “white” sport it’s a Hawaiian tradition. Where the hell do they get off thinking they can set the rules.
Es de muy mal gusto e insoportable que hayan editado el video en blanco y negro. Para qué? Por qué?
Cuál es el propósito?
La verdad no entiendo, supongo que la edición la hizo algún euroamerican
a lot of white people may pick on you, but not make fun of you for choosing... they, we admire leaving the violent choices many take the road towards. a path that many of a race refuse to take part of different in due to social stigma within a race.
I was in the navy, met a guy who like talking about my Jeep and he said he had one too. He had a Wrangler and didn't get in knife fights like the other clowns on the ship. He despised them for the crap they made him go through in his life to be what he wanted to be... not just a trend bucking guy. I love that guy as a brother and he was as honest as they come. We used to pick back and forth about him being the only guy of color to own a Jeep that didn't say Toyota on it... lol.
Maybe you look beyond what people say and try to understand why it is that they welcome you with open arms... when they have to fear taking the wrong turn and being beaten... maybe worse on any given day. Despise the burden of the many that put you in the position, but not the ones who truly accept you. Surfers won't gang up on you while you're walking down the street with your GF and while a gang tries to kill you by punching you in the throat... thugs tried that with me and karma probably led that group to jail or worse. All because they bought into violence against all humans and not surfboards.
Get my point?
Google's swipe is awful, but I'm not going through the trouble to repair it... it reads "OK."
Aint1S not white people. euro americans
im stoked when i see a black surfer. i think people are usually just surprised since there isnt very many black folks that surf. if you want to see some serious racism in surfing,,,,,,be a white dude in hawaii
Haven't seen Sal in years he cut his braids eh?
How sad! I never thought of it. But how nice you always followed your path. Let people think what they want. People who know about the roots of surfing wouldn't think like that. Black people are not water people sounds so ridiculous!!! It has not do with a race, rather the fact where you live. Not absolute, but I mean people living near water tend to swim, sail. etc.. They are just more water people, that's how it all started right? Moreover, white people discovered surfing much later than other races, right?
My favorite part is the "you're not like a regular black guy, your like a white black guy" Just switch out the guy for girl and welcome to my world. Its sickening
Who’s stopping black people from surfing???!!!! NOBODY!
No doubt you got harassed. So. Cal. surfers are 75% trash who attack newbs. I am stoked that you didn't bail. The beach would be legendary with more black people surfing. I am from Georgia, grew up racist. It is crap. Everything he says, every word, is so real.
I thought kelly slater was black
making a mountian out of a mole hill ?
what !!! racism ! keep in mind that surfing( ,horue , faa hee) ,whas invented by dark skinned people so if youre white surfin racist youre out of the picture and i feel sorry for you
Rather than talk about how these rather dense or not well-spoken white kids were so accepting of you, I wish you would of talked about about how misguided these Oceanside gang-bang black kids were, and how unfortunate it was for you and others, that they give so many a bad name through their despicable actions and unfair racial stereotypes.
Why is the creepy weirdo Nigel Farage back on ads everywhere?
Surfing in the sixty s and seventies never saw a black surfer , they just didn't exist .
From a white Surfer & Old School. #1: Respect your older surfers & #2: keep the Rules. Then everyone has fun. I enjoy surfing with Groms & people of colour.
But! That being said. Every person has been on the wrong side of the Race card. White or Black. I grew up in Rhodesia now Zimbabwe. My Dad lost his life in the Police, by a Black man. Does that give me a right to be racist. NO! I have been in South Africa for 38yrs. I've seen 2 Countries go through political change. More than 3/4 of my life has been a Race struggle. I hear all the time "It's the Whites Fault".
Dam guy's. Get over it. I've had to accept change (& it hasn't been for the better) We all have the same 24hrs in a day. I agree we don't have the same financial opportunities. But that doesn't stop us from being a successful street cleaner or Doctor.
It comes back to the 2 surfing rules... applied in Life... Respect your Olders & keep the Rules layed out by Society.
Heads up to Sal... Be strong :)
& the same to my fellow Brethren in the Waves of the world & the Waves of Life.
It's your life to change.
This is the most sensible comment I've seen on this thread.
@@MLJohnsonian Thank you very much. Sent from the heart.
Surfed most all my life in San Diego area , no blacks ever at the beach . Just wasn't their thing
Wrong, John! I believe you might have meant to write, very few Blacks ever IN THE SURF. There have always been many at the beaches and bays in S.D.