Elliot Ackerman Safe On The Southbank Summary

The New York Times Magazine uploaded an article called the “Safe on the Southbank” written by Elliot Ackerman, talking about his experience seeking his right home. At the age of nine years old, he was living in Los Angeles until he moved and arrived at Heathrow where he then discovered, the Southbank. Southbank was British’s center location in the Thames for skateboarding. He loved the area, feeling the tingly sensation of skateboards crashing, where graffiti artists were not bothered, homeless people had a place to sleep, and the repulsive smell of urine. Elliot made friends with other local skaters, together, they made a language within themselves, enjoyed experimenting skateboard tricks, the girls around the area, and the word he praises, safe. His relationship with the word safe began in a skateboarding trick that damaged a nerve in his hand and his friend, Toby, helped him up saying, “Safe, man. Safe.” A couple of minutes after his injury he re-tried the trick. When he landed it, Elliot shouted “Safe! Safe! Safe!” He moved to Washington as he got older and tried to go skateboarding there but, it was far from his experience in the Southbank. In a couple of years, he joined the Marines where he did a couple of special units and made friends there where they became replacements for his skateboarding …show more content…
The way he described his real haven was like my experience when I discovered mine. Besides my home as a safe place to make me feel comfort and joy, my tranquil spot is The Hope and Future Center. I felt welcomed and a part of the family where I can be myself, hang out, relax, and even exercise. No other location or fitness center was the same then returning and walking into Hope and Future with love and arms wide open to you like Elliot’s reconnection to the word safe with the “rail-thin teenager.” The Southbank for Elliot was something more than what met the eyes of