HOCKEY IS BACK #BGHC!
Racism in hockey is a cultural norm and when we speak on it, we put ourselves up against systems in place that benefit the powerful status quo. Being anti-racist in hockey means acknowledging this fact + making tangible moves against racism on a daily basis.

Look at other sports reminding audiences on a daily basis that they believe Black Lives Matter. Shirts, kneeling, however it's done, those moves remind viewers this anti-racist shift in sports isn't going anywhere. I hope the hockey world remembers that when playoffs begin.

I hope that the NHL bubble reporters remember to ask these players AND NOT JUST THE BLACK ONES how they plan to continue the anti-racism work they started when they posted BLM on their timelines during quarantine.

I hope hockey culture doesn't fall back on the favorite adage, "Stick to Sports" and try to gaslight us into thinking there is nothing more important going on in this world than hockey games.

It is probably easy to pretend that systemic racism doesn't exist when it doesn't personally affect you. Being anti-racist means fighting for the marginalized even when it's inconvenient or exhausting because you understand that we don't get to take a day off from our skin color.

This goes out to the journalists, hockey admin, players, WAGS and fans who donated money to Black causes, including #BGHC, as a part of your journey into anti-racism work.
What is your next move? What are you going to do now?

Because part of the way systemic racism works is making us believe there is a better time and place sometime in the distant future for a conversation about racism in your workplace/church/family/school/league. There is no better time than now, friends. No better voice than yours.

Use the power you have, whether it's hiring power, social media, the classroom, the boardroom or the dinner table, to do whatever you can to thwart oppression. Don't go back to sleep and leave Black folks out here doing the work to unravel the systems YOUR ANCESTORS built.

Ok, I'm done. Enjoy your Sunday. Listen to Black women. http://www.blackgirlhockeyclub.org/donate/bghcfam