Several current and former NHL players have created the Hockey Diversity Alliance.
Racism has no place in this world. It’s been plaguing societies since pretty much the beginning of time. Hockey and the NHL are no different, as we’ve seen players like Akim Aliu have to face racism on a regular basis.
Several players have decided to do something about it by forming the Hockey Diversity Alliance. This movement is being led by Aliu and Evander Kane of the San Jose Sharks, who are the co-heads. Their executive committee includes Trevor Daley, Matt Dumba, Chris Stewart, former NHL player Joel Ward, and Wayne Simmonds.
This is the first of its kind in hockey. Ward and several of the players announced the formation of their movement on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/JRandalWard42/status/1269992607884533760
Honestly, this is long overdue. Minority players have long been facing injustices and cruel treatment for no other reason than their ethnicity or the color of their skin. Ward himself has been the victim of racists, as several Boston Bruins fans tweeted racial slurs at him following his overtime winning goal in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Hopefully, this will help the league address its racial issues. Racism is hard to counter because it can be so subtle. However, it’s a problem that must be addressed regardless. The league makes the claim that “hockey is for everyone”. If that claim is anything more than an empty statement, the HDA needs to be listened to and have any concerns they bring up addressed.
One thing that’s worth noting is there currently isn’t a female participating in this movement. However, professional women’s hockey player Saroya Tinker offered to help the cause. The HDA had the chance to talk with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick earlier this month, according to TSN‘s Frank Seravalli.
This all comes on the heels of recent protests after George Floyd was murdered by police officers on May 25. Every team except for the New York Rangers has come out with a statement condemning racism.
However, given the league’s undeniable ties to racism, words aren’t nearly enough. Actions are needed. And black players need to be driving those actions and inspiring them. Hopefully, the HDA will help with that. It’s embarrassing that people who have been the victims of racism have to be the ones leading the charge to help solve a problem they didn’t create, but hopefully, they can help.