DeepSummary
The episode tells the story of Mabel Fairbanks, a Black and Seminole figure skater who spent her career training figure skaters of color while navigating the racial and social dynamics of the predominantly white sport. Mabel faced discrimination and was denied opportunities to compete or perform early in her career, so she started her own portable ice rink show and began coaching Black skaters. Despite her talent, she was continually rejected from major skating troupes and competitions due to her race.
With determination, Mabel found ways to help her students gain membership in skating clubs and pass the required tests to compete, paving the way for the first generation of elite Black figure skaters like Atoy Wilson, Ty Babylonia, and others to break racial barriers. Her students went on to win national and world championships, though some eventually left her to train with white coaches as they reached higher competitive levels.
While disappointed that her students left, Mabel took pride in nurturing their success and planting the seeds for greater diversity in the sport. In 1997, at age 70, she became the first Black skater inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, finally receiving overdue recognition for her trailblazing impact despite the racial obstacles she faced throughout her career.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Mabel Fairbanks was a pioneering Black figure skater who overcame racial discrimination to train the first elite generation of Black skaters.
- She creatively found ways to help her students gain credentials and membership to compete despite being denied those chances herself.
- Some of her students like Atoy Wilson and Ty Babylonia went on to become national and world champions, though many eventually left her for white coaches.
- At age 70 in 1997, Mabel became the first Black inductee to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, finally receiving overdue recognition.
- Despite the progress, Mabel acknowledged more work remained to achieve true diversity and inclusion in figure skating.
- Her story highlights the perseverance required for trailblazers of color to create change in institutions built on racial exclusion.
- Mabel's belief in her students' talents and ability to succeed beyond barriers profoundly motivated them as athletes and people.
- Her pioneering vision planted the seeds for greater diversity that groups continue pursuing today in the sport of figure skating.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Since I could not get in, then I had to train other black skaters to get in.“ by Mabel Fairbanks
- “Mabel had that. Just. That unique spark that just. You would want to do anything for her. You know, she'd say, jump higher. Yes, I'll jump higher, because you just. You feel it.“ by Atoy Wilson
- “When I look back at it, I'm saying skating has moved up, but not that much. It is happening little by little. We have come a very long way, but we still have twice as far to go.“ by Mabel Fairbanks
Entities
Company
Book
Person
Product
Episode Information
Code Switch
NPR
3/2/22
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy