As we previously reported, REAL Skateboards, under DLXSF, encouraged skateboarders to get out and vote, reminding the community that their voices matter.
However, the post quickly attracted backlash from core heads who weren't feeling the idea of bringing politics into skateboarding.
Several skaters argued that skateboarding has nothing to do with politics, echoing comments from fellow YouTuber Ricky Glaser, who said skating isn't about politics, no matter how much brands try to connect the two.
READ MORE: Ricky Glaser Says “Skateboarding is Not Political no Matter How Hard They Try to Force it to Be”
The discussion caught the attention of YouTube skater Dale Decker, who had plenty to say about those rejecting the political roots of skateboarding.
He questioned how anyone could spend years skating and still fail to understand its connection to anti-establishment culture.
Decker's argument centers on two things.
First, skateboarding developed alongside other countercultural movements, including punk and hip-hop, both of which have long challenged authority, social expectations, and established systems.
Ignoring that history means missing a fundamental part of what shaped skateboarding into the culture it is today.
RELATED: YouTube Skater Zach Dowdy Provides More Information on Why Skateboarding Is Political
Second, he pointed to street skating itself. Skateboarders regularly take over public spaces, stairs, ledges, handrails, and other structures for purposes they were never designed for.
This challenges how public and private property are used, especially in environments designed around consumers and commercial activity.
That relationship with architecture, public spaces, and property is one of the reasons Decker believes skateboarding can't be separated from politics.
The culture has always involved questioning how spaces are designed, who gets to use them, and why skaters are often told they can't skate certain spots.
The disagreement also brings up an interesting question about the role of skate brands in political discussions.
Some skaters believe companies should stick to skateboarding and leave voting and political issues out of their messaging. Others see encouraging people to vote as part of what skateboarding has always stood for.
RELATED: Yes, Pro Skateboarder Turned Mayor Mikey Taylor is a Republican
For Decker, the whole idea that skateboarding isn't political completely misses the point. From its punk and hip-hop influences to the way street skaters interact with the world around them, the culture has always been connected to wider social issues.
He also summed up his frustration with the comments, saying:
"I feel like I'm explaining how to tie your shoes to a toddler."
So, what do you think? Is skateboarding political by nature, or should brands keep politics out of their messaging?