Middle schoolers and cousins Mykia Charles and Aionna Butler discuss their experiences in Anacostia Park. Mykia has been coming to the park for a long time; for Aionna, it's her first time. Both of them enjoy skating and meeting up with family in the Park. They remember falling down while skating. "This is a fun park ... but bring some kneepads!"
Eleven-year-old Arajae McRae talks about why she likes Anacostia Park. It's a place where she can play basketball, skate, and gather with her friends and family. She describes it as her favorite park that she's ever been to. Arajae discusses why she likes her best friend, why she likes math, and what she wants to be when she grows up: "I have a lot of options."
Ashley Emerson, a second generation Washingtonian and Director of the Mayor's Office of African American Affairs, discusses the work she does, her personal experiences with Anacostia Park, and what it means to be a native of DC. She describes how important the Park is in her efforts to preserve African American culture in DC and help people with upward mobility. She talks about the Mayor's Office's efforts to invest in parks, schools, and small businesses. Ashley expresses the importance of sharing the rich history and culture of DC, and of bridging the tension between the old and the new; we need to reach out and communicate across cultures.
Bruce McKelton, a longtime DC resident, describes his experiences with go-go music. He started going to go-gos in the DC area around the age of 13, and reflects upon his favorite artist (Little Benny) and experiences. He shares how he thinks go-go has changed over the years, and explains how it's still going strong today. Bruce tells the importance of go-go to the city: "go-go is the sound of DC ... go-go is everything to DC."
Bryan Proctor, a longtime Southeast DC resident, reflects on his experiences in Anacostia Park. He talks about how he's been skating for over 30 years, and discusses the changes (both good and bad) he's seen in the skating arena, the Park, and DC as a whole. He emphasizes how the city should have more events - like Summer in the Park - at Anacostia Park. He reflects on the changes he's seen in DC and his wish that Anacostia Park will stay the same: "I hope Anacostia Park doesn't change too much."
Carol ""Cookie"" McKelton explains what go-go music means to her and to DC. She grew up in NW DC, and fell in love with go-go and Little Benny after going to her first show with her brother Bruce at the Howard Theater. She describes how go-go was her outlet during a difficult move, and reflects on an experience of sneaking out to go to the go-go. Cookie shares what go-go means to DC as the city's outlet for fun, and stresses that it's not going anywhere. ""Go-go, to me, is my life."
Derrick Nathan, Outreach Coordinator with the National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens, describes the work he does and shares his experiences with Anacostia Park. His organization was a part of this Late Skate event, and Derrick shares how they work to meet the needs of anyone transitioning back into society. He also remembers the big events hosted by the Park in the 80s, and tells stories (good and bad) about his experiences there. He discusses how central Anacostia Park is to its surrounding community, and urges his neighbors in the Ward to reach out to congress members: "this is our park ... don't sit back."
Dinita Dausuel reflects on the importance of go-go music to her. Growing up in Northwest DC, she would spend every weekend going to the go-go and, after moving to Maryland, would do whatever it took to keep going to places like the Panorama Room. Dinita shares memories about her favorite go-go artists and life experiences that happened at the go-go. She describes how fun go-go is and how it transcended violence and was one of the few things that brought African Americans in DC together: "we didn't know it was our culture then, but it was what we loved to do."
Frank A. Mobley, a native of Southeast DC, reflects on his time skating in Anacostia Park. He's been coming to the Park for 38 years, and shares stories of his time practicing in the Park and the changes he's seen. Frank reflects on his former skating partners and the first time he ever performed as a skater. He explains the history of the skating group he co-founded, the Anacostia Rollers, and his inspiration for creating a skating group with more rhythm and dancing. He expresses his desire to have more people come out to the Park and promote the roller skating: "we need to get more recognition down here ... because we've been doing it for so long."
A Southeast DC native, James Smith discusses the problems he sees in DC. He explains the things he thinks are not right: namely, the over-policing in his community. He expresses his bitter attitude toward the police and society in general, and his lack of hope. He reflects on how (if at all) people can beat the system. James ends by talking about how he likes Anacostia Park, but sees much room for improvement. Based on his own life experience, he does think some change is possible.
Kurt Rollins, born and raised in DC, reflects on his memories of Anacostia Park and go-go music in DC. He remembers going to go-go events in the Park, and talks about how the different clothing people would wear signified what DC neighborhood they were from. Kurt discusses the importance of keeping go-go culture alive, even in what he sees are more violent present times, and reflects on how proud he is of his heritage. He briefly addresses gentrification as making DC different, but sees it as necessary in some areas. His ultimate goal: "I just hope we can come together and live harmoniously."