Let’s be honest, without massive social change in the US all of the t-shirt wearing, anthem kneeling, BLM banners, fist raising, walk-outs, etc is all just lip service.
The fact that you have an American election in November that is still up for grabs tells you just how divided and morally corrupt that country is. If their citizens really want equality it’s going to take more than pro-sports symbolism to achieve it. - bloatedmosquito
Spot on. Cancelling or postponing games will be forgotten in a week. The US needs to vote for change.
Postpone the games, put out an official announcement, have Bettman do a press conference about it.... something more than "here's a minute of silence, let's play hockey and not bring it up again".
I know hockey is very white, but this is a much larger issue, and I'm sure other athletes and people would respect the support of the NHL and NHL players adding their voice to the mix. - NewYorkNuck
It really makes you wish there were more players in the league with the balls to speak on stuff like this when it happens. It's so unfortunate that there is such a tiny number of them making any kind of a statement. I know it's not their job, but as public figures I'd like to think more of them would use their platform for making a positive change.
Let’s be honest, without massive social change in the US all of the t-shirt wearing, anthem kneeling, BLM banners, fist raising, walk-outs, etc is all just lip service.
The fact that you have an American election in November that is still up for grabs tells you just how divided and morally corrupt that country is. If their citizens really want equality it’s going to take more than pro-sports symbolism to achieve it. - bloatedmosquito
I agree, it has to be reform that starts at the highest level for anything to change fundamentally. But by the same token, making that change is on the general population, and the general population in the US listens to and watches their celebrities far more than their politicians.
It's disgusting but if change is going to happen they actually will need to rely on some popular public figures(like athletes) to lead the charge. It's certainly not any of their responsibility based on their jobs, but that's just the (frank)ed up celebrity obsessed culture they live in.
They can't help themselves. Believe it or not they even created a separate thread for this shit, soup discussions, and heavy trolling. - Load Management
Location: Greetings from the Humungous. Ayatollah of rock and rolla! Joined: 08.15.2014
Aug 27 @ 12:10 PM ET
Let’s be honest, without massive social change in the US all of the t-shirt wearing, anthem kneeling, BLM banners, fist raising, walk-outs, etc is all just lip service.
The fact that you have an American election in November that is still up for grabs tells you just how divided and morally corrupt that country is. If their citizens really want equality it’s going to take more than pro-sports symbolism to achieve it. - bloatedmosquito
Well said. Boycotts, walkouts cancelling games etc will accomplish nothing until real change is made. The NHL has actually done a good job of not getting too political and that's the way it should stay. If the NBA, MLB, WNBA want to do their thing all good but hopefully the NHL doesn't get sucked into that crap and is above it.
Well said. Boycotts, walkouts cancelling games etc will accomplish nothing until real change is made. The NHL has actually done a good job of not getting too political and that's the way it should stay. If the NBA, MLB, WNBA want to do their thing all good but hopefully the NHL doesn't get sucked into that crap and is above it. - LordHumungous
The thing about BLM is that it isn't fundamentally political.
Location: I’m a dose of reality in this cesspool of glee Joined: 10.22.2011
Aug 27 @ 12:14 PM ET
I fully agree. Things aren't going to change without a serious overhaul of some deeply ingrained systems. However, not doing anything is going to make it easier to sweep things under the rug and "get back to normal". Keeping a light on the big issues, constant conversation, political pressure... it adds up, slowly.
Unfortunately with American politics being a two party system (and highly partisan now), it's hard to separate issues when the parties are so extreme. Being in the States is not great, and I think its going to get worse – I'm actively looking at leaving here in the next six months. - NewYorkNuck
100%. I agree this is very important.
The US civil rights movement was a 16 year struggle. It was “grass roots” and I think it needs to be the same way today.
Looking at major commercial enterprises to push this forward might be a mistake IMO as it’s really not in their best interest to do so. Their focus is profit. They can’t be trusted with something so fundamentally important. Christ, they don’t even have their own employees best interests at heart. Look at how the NHL is handling the whole head injury issue... shameful.
It really makes you wish there were more players in the league with the balls to speak on stuff like this when it happens. It's so unfortunate that there is such a tiny number of them making any kind of a statement. I know it's not their job, but as public figures I'd like to think more of them would use their platform for making a positive change. - NorthNuck
For me, it comes across as very privileged – intentional or not. Hockey is so white that most of these players have never really been around minority issues on the day to day. And that's understandable, not their fault that hockey is super expensive and a lot of people of color don't have the means or access or desire to play.
But the self-recognition of knowing that, and voicing some level of concern or statement or talking as a league about it would be beneficial. A number of players spoke up after George Floyd about needing to do more and listening and learning, and now that something very similar has happened again it seems like a great time to keep that ball rolling.
Why is someones political / ideological / religious beliefs need to be injected in my hockey game?
There's enough division between teams. You wanna do stats for virtue signaling?
I cheer the Canucks because of location, team pride.
If you wanna protest...........go to a rally.
- WelfareWerewolf
agree absolutely, but then do a complete overhaul and get rid of anthems (which they should do anyway), military appreciation and all the other "appreciation" nights/themes.
agree absolutely, but then do a complete overhaul and get rid of anthems (which they should do anyway), military appreciation and all the other "appreciation" nights/themes.
Anthems should be for world tournaments - Codes1087
For me, it comes across as very privileged – intentional or not. Hockey is so white that most of these players have never really been around minority issues on the day to day. And that's understandable, not their fault that hockey is super expensive and a lot of people of color don't have the means or access or desire to play.
But the self-recognition of knowing that, and voicing some level of concern or statement or talking as a league about it would be beneficial. A number of players spoke up after George Floyd about needing to do more and listening and learning, and now that something very similar has happened again it seems like a great time to keep that ball rolling. - NewYorkNuck
Yeah, I'm with you. It's not like anyone expects them to try and change the world, just some recognition and respect given to the issues of the day would be nice.
Well said. Boycotts, walkouts cancelling games etc will accomplish nothing until real change is made. The NHL has actually done a good job of not getting too political and that's the way it should stay. If the NBA, MLB, WNBA want to do their thing all good but hopefully the NHL doesn't get sucked into that crap and is above it. - LordHumungous
And how does real change come about without boycotts, walkouts, protests, etc? The pressure put on the system is what forces it to change. Waiting for politicians to change on their own is a worthless plan.
Also, the "crap" of caring about and speaking up to racism?
agree absolutely, but then do a complete overhaul and get rid of anthems (which they should do anyway), military appreciation and all the other "appreciation" nights/themes.
Anthems should be for world tournaments - Codes1087
