Despite notable pioneers, Black athletes remain underrepresented in the sport, with systemic barriers still in place

Despite remarkable strides by some, Black athletes continue to be a rare sight in the world of figure skating. Canadian skater Vanessa James recalls witnessing Black excellence on ice during the 1998 Winter Olympics, when French skater Surya Bonaly defied expectations with a backflip in her routine. Although controversial at the time and largely unaccepted by judges, Bonaly’s defiance left an indelible mark on those who followed in her wake, including James herself.

James, who is skating in her fourth Winter Games in Beijing, reflects on the barriers that persist for Black athletes in figure skating. “If you don’t see yourself in the sport, how can you believe you belong?” she asks, highlighting the struggle to envision success in a sport that has historically been dominated by white athletes. In fact, the Salchow, Biellmann, and Charlotte spiral—core moves in figure skating—are named after white pioneers of the 20th century, reinforcing the sport’s European roots.

This year, no Black skaters are representing the United States, although the team does feature Asian American athletes and LGBTQ+ representation. Mexico’s figure skating team has Donovan Carrillo, the lone representative from Latin America. In contrast, James is the only Black skater competing in Beijing, a symbol of Black excellence in a sport where such representation remains scarce.

Elladj Baldé, a Black Russian-Canadian professional figure skater, attributes the lack of Black skaters to historical racial segregation, especially in early 20th-century Europe and the U.S. “Black skaters weren’t allowed to be in figure skating clubs or competitions,” he explains. Despite the systemic barriers, Baldé’s unique style—blending hip-hop with classical skating techniques—has garnered attention and helped advocate for greater diversity. His work with the Stake Global Foundation aims to increase BIPOC participation in figure skating by building accessible rinks and supporting young skaters from diverse backgrounds.

The impact of Surya Bonaly’s legacy can be seen in the continued presence of Black skaters in the Canadian and French teams, but the U.S. has yet to cultivate a strong pipeline of Black talent. The struggles of pioneering Black American skaters like Mabel Fairbanks, who was excluded from U.S. Figure Skating competitions in the 1930s due to racism, and Debi Thomas, the first Black American to medal at the Winter Olympics, illustrate the challenges faced by Black athletes in the sport.

Ramsey Baker, executive director of U.S. Figure Skating, questions why Thomas’s success did not lead to a greater influx of BIPOC skaters. The answer lies in the sport’s socio-economic barriers, which have hindered the advancement of Black athletes. The murder of George Floyd in 2020 reignited the Black Lives Matter movement, pushing organisations like U.S. Figure Skating to focus more on diversity and inclusion. In response, U.S. Figure Skating hired Kadari Taylor-Watson as its first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion to address these issues, including conducting a diversity census and ensuring BIPOC skaters feel welcomed in the community.

James’s presence in the Winter Games coincides with Black History Month, and the support from fellow athletes like former French Olympian Maé-Bérénice Méité highlights the importance of representation. James reflects on their bond, saying, “When she’s on the ice, I see me.” Together, they inspire young Black skaters who can now imagine themselves on the Olympic stage. “It’s not just seeing it once,” James says. “It’s recreating it and repeating it.” As she and Méité continue to break barriers, they are paving the way for future generations, proving that representation is key to growth and success in the sport.

30 years on, grunge legends like Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, and Mark Lanegan have matured into cultural pillars, while Britpop stars like Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn have fallen from grace

In the early 1990s, grunge and Britpop defined two opposing musical forces, one marked by American angst and rawness, the other by British irony and pop influences. Now, three decades later, the grunge icons—Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, and Mark Lanegan—have aged gracefully into respected elder statesmen, while their Britpop counterparts have taken a far less admirable route, with many devolving into eccentric, cranky figures.

Eddie Vedder’s recent tour highlights this stark contrast. Opening in New York with a cover of REM’s “Drive,” the Pearl Jam frontman demonstrated just how far he’s come since his early years of grunge turmoil. At 57, Vedder now embraces his legacy as a leader in rock, a far cry from the disillusioned youth he once was. His 30 years in music are celebrated on his upcoming solo album Earthling, marking his evolution from troubled artist to rock royalty.

Meanwhile, his Britpop peers seem stuck in a cycle of bitterness. Noel Gallagher has become a vocal critic of modern culture, often ranting about trivial issues like face masks. Ian Brown’s anti-lockdown stance and Damon Albarn’s criticism of artists like Taylor Swift have led to them being regarded more as disgruntled old men than icons of their generation. These once-vibrant figures, who once provided the soundtrack to British youth culture, are now reduced to complaining about the world that passed them by.

The contrast between these two movements was once crystal clear: grunge, born out of Seattle’s grim reality, faced off against the British optimism of Britpop. With Nirvana’s rise in 1991, grunge encapsulated a raw, rebellious spirit, while Britpop responded with cheeky defiance, celebrating British identity. However, as time has passed, it is the grunge veterans who have endured, while many Britpop stars have faded into irrelevance.

Dave Grohl, who continues to lead Foo Fighters, is another grunge survivor who has maintained his positive presence in the music world. His relentless output of new music and his cheerful personality have made him a beloved figure, while Mark Lanegan, once known for his brooding, has found a second act as a writer and a cleaner, more stable figure after battling addiction. Lanegan’s post-grunge career has seen him embracing a quieter, reflective life in Ireland, marked by memoirs that recount his tumultuous past.

Grunge, with its roots in despair and darkness, was never supposed to have a long shelf life. Yet, despite the tragic losses—Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Chris Cornell—grunge’s survivors have turned their experiences into wisdom, aging gracefully with purpose. Contrast this with Britpop’s decline, where former stars like Gallagher and Albarn have become figures of ridicule, seemingly unable to adapt to the changing times.

This generational shift is most clearly seen in the contrast between the current state of grunge and Britpop. As Vedder and Grohl continue to captivate audiences with their enduring talent, figures like Noel Gallagher cling to past glories, while Damon Albarn, whose legacy once seemed secure, now finds himself embroiled in petty controversies.

Perhaps the most telling reflection of this shift came from Lanegan, who, after years of turmoil, has found peace and purpose through his writing, while still managing to maintain a sense of humour, even mocking Liam Gallagher in his memoir. It is this self-awareness, maturity, and ability to adapt that marks the difference between the grunge survivors and the faded stars of Britpop. While grunge’s grandmasters have become culturally relevant and respected, the Britpop kings have become caricatures, unable to escape the ghosts of their past.

As Eddie Vedder sings and reflects on his journey, it’s hard not to see him as the grunge generation’s “dude”—older, wiser, but still riding the wave of music history with a knowing smile, unlike the many Britpop figures who seem stuck in a battle with the past.