“This is how I think”: Skate Life, Corresponding Cultures and Alternative White Masculinities by Emily A. Chivers Yochim A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Communication) in The University of Michigan 2007 Doctoral Committee: Professor Susan J. Douglas, Co-Chair Associate Professor Bambi L. Haggins, Co-Chair Associate Professor Robin R. Means Coleman Associate Professor Derek W. Vaillant Copyright Emily A. Chivers Yochim 2007 In loving memory Colin Matthew Chivers 1982-2004 To my forever love, Chris Yochim ii Acknowledgements Like most large projects, This Is How I Think has been accompanied by and ushered through great joys and great sorrows, and I have many friends, colleagues, mentors, and family members to thank for seeing it and me through along the way. The words throughout this document are punctuated by lives past/passed, present, and future, and it is my hope that the following paragraphs can convey my appreciation for the vitality that I hope infuses my research and writing. For it is what Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) in The Science of Sleep calls “relationships, friendships, and all those ships” that have both brought this project to life and bring life to this project; that give my words meaning and provide a reason for writing. As a graduate student, ethnographer, teacher, and burgeoning writer, I have had the opportunity to develop friendships and professional relationships with many thoughtful, passionate, and smart people who have brought those thoughts, passions, and smarts to my own work. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Susan Douglas, whose Where the Girls Are suggested to my undergraduate self that academic work could truly enlighten my understanding of the world while also being a delight to read. Susan has been an indispensable dissertation co-chair, providing sage and pragmatic writing advice, modeling dedicated and energetic engagement in academe, and offering clear and sharp comments that always shepherded my thinking along. Bambi Haggins has been with me since my first steps into the academy, and as co-chair, she has demonstrated the dedication, love, and creativity that have allowed me to write with iii confidence and joy. Bambi’s rigorous commitment to the significance of pop culture, her venerable writing and editing, and her nuanced understanding of theory and practice have made this dissertation more dynamic and complex. Derek Vaillant’s keen enthusiasm for theoretical debate and discussion and his willingness to work through the multiple layers of theory that accompany interdisciplinarity have both challenged and inspired me. As an advisor and committee member Derek has always encouraged me to expand and refine my theoretical assertions and has helped me to think of myself as an academic. Robin Means Coleman’s lively and sagacious approach to research and academe is a consummate model, and her kind interest in my future empowered me to take charge of my career path in a culture that frequently encourages young PhDs to take any job they can get. Robin came comparatively late to this dissertation, and her fresh eyes and pointed and supportive critiques brought new energy to this project and made my work more rigorous. I’m really not sure what I would have done without my close friends and writing partners. Megan Biddinger, Sarah Crymble, Kamille Gentles, and Debra Burns Melican have each brought their vastly impressive brains to my work, reading countless drafts, listening to many, many presentations, and talking through theoretical quandaries that reminded me how exciting academia can be. But more importantly, each of these women have been trusty confidantes and supportive allies through the peaks and valleys of the past six years. Megan, always creative and passionate as she grapples with theoretical and social problems, has inspired me to demand more of myself and society, and together, she and I are absolute writing dynamos. Sarah’s thoughtful and empathic wisdom has ushered me through lots of situations and served as a model for staying true iv to oneself and others. Her theoretical prowess and dedication to her work are exemplary, and if I can even approach her level of rigor, I think I’ll be in good shape. I am ever grateful for my friendship with Kamille and the phone calls that have sustained our relationship. Since our first conference in Miami, Kamille and I have navigated the waters of grad school together, and time and time again, her compassion, humor, and astute questions and comments about my work reinvigorated and inspired me. I have taken great pleasure in coming to know Debbie over the years, and her energy, courage, and style move me to cull as much I can from all of my experiences. In the final hours of this dissertation, Debbie read over 100 pages and gave me astute, clear, and invaluable feedback. Each of these women have touched my work in many ways, but more importantly, they have all enriched my life. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to study, write, and work with a number of other creative, vibrant, and loyal individuals who have deepened my love for teaching and research. Pete Simonson is the reason I came to graduate school. Pete’s mind is vast, and as my undergraduate mentor, he constantly pushed me to ask new questions of theory and to find joy – and new knowledge – in the nuances and quirks of everyday life. Pete has remained a steady and supportive friend and mentor through the course of graduate school, and I am always moved by his continued engagement in my work and my life. Catherine Squires has also been a steady presence through graduate school, and her skillful and fiery commitment to theory and practice are exemplary. Roei Davidson’s smarts, energy, and wide-ranging knowledge have widened my own experiences. Brad Taylor’s thoughtful and dedicated approach to teaching have served as a reminder of its pleasures, Sheila Murphy has guided my thinking about digital media, and Dara v Greenwood has given me the opportunity to present my work in several lectures. Phil Hallman’s dedication to his work is enormous, and since he amassed a host of surfing movies for me years ago, his vast knowledge of the mediated world and his interest in my work have been invaluable. Rachel Kennett, Stephanie Wooten, and Emily Dalton, my intrepid research assistants, have contributed an enormous amount of frequently mind- numbing labor to this dissertation with patience and humor. I’ve been lucky to get to know them. Darci Dore and Chris Gale have, in turn, provided invaluable guidance through the complexities of the University, and John Cross, Wendy Benedict, Roberta Saling, Dawn Viau, and Orlandez Huddleston have each willingly and ably provided enormous administrative support. This project truly would not exist were it not for the skateboarders. More than willing participants in my research, these young men have come to represent hope, passion, youthful vigor and humor, and I deeply value their friendship. All of the boys happily provided thoughtful responses to my questions in exchange for a bit of food, but Mason, Andrew, Marcus, Sikander, Davidson, and Eric went above and beyond, welcoming me into their lives, guiding me through skate culture, and providing humorous and hip respite from schoolwork. I am glad to call them friends. I don’t think I could have made it through the final years of graduate school without my little gym in Milan, MI. Butch Thomas has been so much more than a trainer and has given me so much more than a few muscles. His love and support and constant interest in the challenges of school work have sustained me through many professional challenges, and his firm belief in my own physical power has followed me through to all aspects of my life. Cindy Anders has been a model partner, inspiring me with her own vi energy and dedication and serving as reinforcement when Butch was too zealous – and mouthy – in his encouragement. The humor, perseverance, and friendship of the many men and women I have met at Z-Force Fitness have made getting up at 5:30 in the morning worthwhile, and the friendly community there was irreplaceable during my solitary days of writing. Though the chocolate chip cookies at The Lighthouse coffee shop in Milan, MI canceled out many of my hours at the gym, the shop’s willingness to allow me to commandeer their back booth for hours at a time was crucial to this dissertation’s timely completion. Providing coffee and good conversation, The Lighthouse was an ideal space in which to write about popular culture and everyday politics. Both Z-Force Fitness and The Lighthouse are examples of what Ray Oldenberg would call a “third place,” or a “great good place,” for they serve as small town hubs where regulars actually discuss politics and air their personal troubles and triumphs. In these places, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in many dynamic conversations about local skateboarding policies, skateboarders’ reputations in school, church, and home, and individuals’ opinions and attitudes about teenage boys in general and skateboarders more particularly. Finally, great big thanks to all those who knew me before. My close friends Bethany Lewis, Nicole Conrad, Maria DeBacco, Marie Elia, and Timilee Vaughn have been steadfast in their support – celebrating my accomplishments along with me and keeping my head above water when I was about to drown in work. The Yochim family’s cheerful love and creative humor is always comforting. The Chivers family has been supportive so many, many ways. My mom, Mary Chivers, listened to regular end-of- semester breakdowns, cheered me through every accomplishment, and regularly helped vii me through the many challenges of everyday life.