I went to the screening of United Skates not knowing anything about skating, and left with a new understanding of how roller skating can be the foundation of a culture and community. I was most intrigued by the national skating parties, where people from all over the country come together to share their unique regional skating styles and to just have fun. I admire the passion that people have to travel so many miles to skate together, and I would absolutely love to participate in something like this if I knew how to skate. It was also heartbreaking to see how many skating rinks were heavily policed and how there was  discrimination through policing how big skate wheels could be, which made me realize how subtle discrimination can be. However, the film did end on a more positive note, where it showed a roller skating rink going back in business. While the pandemic is probably hurting roller skating rink businesses, I am inspired by this film to go to my local rink (if it is still around) after covid to try skating!