Can certainly disagree on what part the NHL and individual NHL teams should play as leaders and role models, but I'll tell you growing up as a minority in the hockey community was a ****ing nightmare on and off the ice. As you can tell I'm kind of an ******* so if anything it toughened me personally up a bit, but there's no excuse for a lot of the behavior I had to endure, and if I can make hockey that much easier to play for my kids and others in similar communities, that's better for the game as a whole.
No, it's not just hockey, no, you can't fix everyone, and no, it's not about 'safe spaces' or making everyone agree or anything like that, it's simply about focusing on the game itself and making it accessible without having to worry about bringing in all sorts of societal baggage. I wanted hockey to be an escape, but it was often a prison instead. No one should have that feeling, and even if I disagree with some of the events and causes sports organizations take up, I feel like supporting that is the right thing for me because I can't go into the stands and throw down every stupid ass parent who calls my kid a towelhead or (insert cause du jour here).
I would never force that view upon anyone, I respect that you disagree, just want you to know where it's coming from.
I will just say my piece and not derail the thread.
I think there are many people who isolate themselves from the world, and have the benefit of hiding their head in the sand when there is a problem.
I am not saying (general) you have to accept the lifestyle of people different from you. But the NHL is trying to make it an all-inclusive sport, which I applaud.
"Pride Night" or any other celebration of a minority is about telling people not to be discriminatory if someone wants to play. There are many people, such as myself, who haven't had to deal with racism, misogynism, ablism, ageism, etc.
RJ, I am sorry you have been subjected to racism. I hope that increasing awareness and championing of all to be encouraged to participate.
Again, I'm not saying you HAVE to be comfortable with differing lifestyles (I won't use this forum to discuss that), but I'll not understand being annoyed that hockey is simply trying to be more inclusive.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan was passed up on in the WHL draft by some teams because teams didn't approve of his lesbian parents. He's not even gay and he was judged and excluded by teams.
You can say "that's not your problem" and good for you that you haven't had to deal with it. But to say that's not "a" problem is willful ignorance. The best way to combat ignorance is to raise awareness.
That's my soapbox.
