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I was lucky enough to be born into a well off family and had the privilege of playing rep hockey throughout my childhood and teenage years. As a white male, I did not experience nor do I fully understand the barriers POC face when entering the world of hockey. In saying this
I witnessed and experienced quite a few instances of racism and "gatekeeping" and have even been told stories by my father about other parents on my teams that are quite revolting. I was on a team where a player on my team called another player the N word, and didn't receive
Anything more than a stern talking to. We were young, but there was no suspension or anything handed out to the player for its use. Another instance was something my father told me had occurred where during tryouts, a POC made the team and another parent actually said
"Now there's 4 of them" as to signify that in my age group of hockey there were 4 POC playing in it total now. There are many other anecdotal stories, ranging from gatekeeping all the way to outright racism but one theme is clear to me now. I have no idea what its like to
Experience this like I said, but something has become very clear to me through reactions to the NHL's response and what POC appear to feel or experience in regards to the NHL and hockey. *They feel like they don't belong*. Like its not for them. Like there is this status quo
That exists in the sport, and POC are on the outside looking in. This is what I have observed, and its devastating to think a sport that I hold so near and dear to my heart can feel so alienating to others that want to love it so bad. So for those that don't get it or think
There is some agenda or political motives to this, step back and listen to those effected for a moment. Listen to their stories, try and understand their views. This is not about separating us and holding certain people above others, its understanding the struggles of those
Who haven't experienced life and hockey the way most of us within the sport have. The NHL needs to do better, the sport of hockey needs to do better.
This was already way too long but I hope I expressed my point clearly.
Lets actually make hockey a sport for all.
#BLM
This was already way too long but I hope I expressed my point clearly.
Lets actually make hockey a sport for all.
#BLM
