Arajae McRae Interview, August 24, 2019

INDEXED CLIP TIME: 00:00:06.210 --> 00:01:08.780 SEGMENT SYNOPSIS: Maren Orchard interviews eleven-year-old Arajae McRae on August 24, 2019 during Late Skate at Anacostia Park. In this clip, Arajae McRae talks about what she likes about the park. SUBJECTS: Late Skate in Anacostia Park; Anacostia Park (Washington, D.C.); Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative; National Park Service -- Anacostia Park; Basketball courts

August 24, 2019 interview of Arajae McRae and we at Late Skate at Anacostia Park. Do I have your permission to record this interview? What do you want to talk about today?

I like Anacostia Park because y'all have a basketball court. So the boys can stay out of our way. And y'all have a skate park and y'all have other things to entertain us. And that's what I like about Anacostia Park. And this is the best park that I've ever been to.

What makes it your favorite?

Cuz other parks don't got this. They just have stuff to slide on. Like that other park over there.

Where do you live?

I live in Maryland. I'm living with my aunt right now because I'm going to school out there but I live I actually live in Maryland.

Why do you guys come to this park?

Because it's better and we come here with our cousins.

Do they live in this neighborhood?

Yes.

They're older. They're grown.

Do you have friends at school that you like to hang out with?

Yes, but mainly my best friend that was just standing right there behind you, we've been best friends for 11 years. And yeah, and my mom is coming with my best friend.

How did you meet your best friend?

I was outside playing with my jump rope. [inaudible] Well they didn't say nothing at first and then we had walked past they had walked past again and then we just started hanging out again. She became my best friend.

What's your favorite thing about her?

Everything, but sometimes she's annoying.

All of our frineds are annoying from time to time.

She's crazy too.

INDEXED CLIP TIME: 00:02:50.790 --> 00:04:14.010 SEGMENT SYNOPSIS: Maren Orchard interviews eleven-year-old Arajae McRae on August 24, 2019 during Late Skate at Anacostia Park. In this clip, Arajae McRae talks about what she likes about school and what she wants to be when she grows up. SUBJECTS: Late Skate in Anacostia Park; Anacostia Park (Washington, D.C.); Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative; National Park Service -- Anacostia Park; Schools in Washington, D.C.; School children in Washington, D.C.

Do you have a favorite subject at school?

Math. Not a lot of people like math.

I don't like math. Why is it your favorite?

My teacher just got me into it.

Do you know what you want to do when you get older?

I have a lot of choices. So now not right at this moment.

If you like math, you're going to have a lot of options.

I want to be a lawyer but at the same time I want to do hair but at the same time I want to do nails, so I don't know.

Is there anything else you want to talk about that we didn't get to yet?

I'm 11.

That's good. What grade are you in?

I'm in 5th going to 6th this year, and I go back to school Monday.

Are you excited?

Yeah.

Are you nervous at all?

No

Thank you. It was great talking with you.