'We don't look like them': Black figure skaters face barriers to entry from a young age

[Jilly_in_VA]

Before figure skating practice, Michael Baker would ask his mom to let him out of the car before they got to the entrance of the ice rink.

“He would say, ‘Mommy, why don’t you just drop me here?’” Shirley Brown, Baker’s mom, told NBC News. “And I knew exactly why he was doing it.”

They still haven’t replaced their beat-up 2007 Toyota Rav 4, one in a long list of sacrifices made to support Baker’s skating. Brown has delayed her retirement. They can’t go on vacation.

Baker, 17, dreams of one day competing in the Olympics. But even if he has the talent to make it, the family worries the cost may hold him back.

Baker started skating at 13, when he signed up for lessons at a mall on his birthday. A coach saw that Baker had talent and offered to teach him.

“In the beginning, it was very, very, very tough,” Brown said. “I find that it’s an elitist sport. You’re not welcomed by some of the parents. We don’t look like them.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/-dont-look-black-figure-skaters-face-barriers-entry-young-age-rcna15816
____________________________________________________________________________________
Who's the last Black figure skater YOU remember? Surya Bonaly? Debi Thomas? Think how long ago THAT was!

[MagickMuffin]

1. USA currently has an African American skater

Her name is Starr Andrews and she placed 12th.

And yes, figure skating is an expensive sport. There have been a lot of past champions would held fund drives to support them.

Even Nathan Chen had to have help along the way. His coach believed in him.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. Don't generally get to see

the ones that place far down the ranks, unless one has Peacock, which we don't. Still, 12th is respectable. I didn't even see Starr Andrews at nationals. Are you sure you are not saying she placed 12th there and not in the Olympics? Only the top 3 go to Olympics.

[LisaL]

3. Nobody yet placed in the Olympics among the ladies.

The competition hasn't even started yet.

[Jilly_in_VA]

4. Well

you might have made it a little more clear what you were talking about and when. That's all.

[AngryOldDem]

5. I believe this place was at the U.S. Nationals.

She has been skating at the senior level for a few seasons now.

[MagickMuffin]

6. Sorry for not being clear. Yes, I was talking about the US Nationals this year

I watched her skating both short and long.

Check her out she is a beautiful skater. She is twenty years old and still has time to train for the next Olympics. And hey heart drugs are now an approve drug to take and compete!

The US, I believe were only allowed three skaters to compete at the Olympics.