When asked where she sees roller derby going for her, Ebert responds, “Honestly? I wanna be on national TV in two or three years. I want to play nationally, where everybody can see it on TV. It will be two years of hard work, but I am ready.”
Ebert’s goal speaks to why Patton sees modern roller derby as part of something larger than itself.
“The resurgence of roller derby shows that women are seeking greater freedom of self-expression and greater opportunities to explore their full potential,” she said. “Most women have heard – at least once while growing up – that girls can’t or shouldn’t do things that roller derby girls do. Derby girls compete, they push and shove, they get back up when they’re knocked down – and they have a great time doing it.
“Beginning usually in early adolescence, girls and women encounter enormous pressure to change their bodies and selves to conform to an ideal image; in roller derby, you find a radical departure from that kind of pressure, as skaters are encouraged to develop styles and appearances that reflect their unique personalities.
“So basically, roller derby gives participants a space to test their physical endurance and a stage to express their personalities. It is a fun sport that celebrates the diversity of women and encourages participants to be themselves at the same time that it allows them to develop and test their athleticism.”
When asked if women are as competitive as men, Patton does not hesitate.
“Hell, yes … and any roller derby queen worthy of the title has gotten at least one gnarly bruise that proves it.”
Easley said she is not the only person in her family who gets something out of her roller derby participation. “My daughter is 5. At first, I didn’t tell her much about what I was doing, because I was not sure how much of it she would get. But a lot of roller derby talk happens around the house, and she has gone to practice with me. My husband will say, ‘Well, Mom is a roller derby queen.’ And she will say, ‘I want to be a roller derby queen!’ I want to teach my daughter that she can do anything she wants in her life. If she puts enough hard work into it, dedicates herself, she can do whatever she wants.”
Rick Wade is a freelance writer living in Jacksonville.
The Lincoln Land Roller Derby League practices at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Drive. There is no cost to join but admission to Skateland is $5. Skates are available to rent. Find out more on the league’s Facebook page.
