Black hockey players excel on ice despite history of racism, lack of rinks in Chicago

[doniceage]

I was getting a haircut at Madison Street Barbers recently when I mentioned that I play hockey just down the street at Johnny's IceHouse, one of the city's few indoor rinks and the only sheet of ice in a 16-square-mile area encompassing the city's west side and many other neighborhoods.

The man who cut my hair told me he watches hockey on TV but described being an African-American fan of hockey as "awkward."

"There's not too many of us out there," he told me.

Over the years, many people of color have told me that they want to like hockey and let their kids play or even just ice skate, but they're afraid of being singled out based on their appearance. What's more, black and brown families who want to embrace the sport really haven't had many places to turn because ice rinks are few and far between in many neighborhoods.

https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicag...t?oid=45276499

There also a podcast here with the zebra sisters touching on this story:

‘Zebra Sisters’ discuss black hockey players, 50/50 Day in Ep. 12

In Episode 12 of “Zebra Sisters,” a podcast about race relations hosted by columnist Mary Mitchell and former reporter Leslie Baldacci, the hosts discuss the lack of diversity in hockey and the women’s movement.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/podcast...rs-episode-12/

[Crosscheck]

This is a great read

in my work with our local youth hockey association and trying to grow the house hockey program working to get more minority kids playing is something I’d like to see happen. We have a handful of Hispanic and a couple of Asian children but no African Americans. When I talk to black parents in the community about their children playing hockey there does seem to be a sense of unknown and maybe fear.

My problem with the NHL’s Hockey is for everyone program is that it focuses almost all on the LGBT community. I feel it needs more effort on minoritys. sure throw the LGBT community in there as well I’m fine with that but I feel Bettman is using this program to pander and sell rainbow flag NHL logo shirts more than he is grow the game of hockey. If hockey is truly for everyone the marketing dollars need to be spread around to all walks of life.

[doniceage]

This is a great read

in my work with our local youth hockey association and trying to grow the house hockey program working to get more minority kids playing is something I’d like to see happen. We have a handful of Hispanic and a couple of Asian children but no African Americans. When I talk to black parents in the community about their children playing hockey there does seem to be a sense of unknown and maybe fear.

My problem with the NHL’s Hockey is for everyone program is that it focuses almost all on the LGBT community. I feel it needs more effort on minoritys. sure throw the LGBT community in there as well I’m fine with that but I feel Bettman is using this program to pander and sell rainbow flag NHL logo shirts more than he is grow the game of hockey. If hockey is truly for everyone the marketing dollars need to be spread around to all walks of life.

Thanks for sharing. What work do you do with the local youth on the hockey front?
@Crosscheck

Don

[Crosscheck]

Mainly help the director of our hockey association with the house hockey program.
Speak my mind at board meetings when need be. I also just try to spread the message of youth hockey around here and try to get kids interested in trying hockey.

[doniceage]

Mainly help the director of our hockey association with the house hockey program.
Speak my mind at board meetings when need be. I also just try to spread the message of youth hockey around here and try to get kids interested in trying hockey.

Cool.

Don

[Maggot]

At the end of the day no rink will turn you away if you have the money to play/see a game. Feeling awkward because of your appearance or worrying that your friends will think you're weird has nothing to do with hockey.
The extremely isolated incidents of racism cited are the realities of of society and in no way limited to the hockey world.

Something to do about nothing, in my opinion.

[Crosscheck]

At the end of the day no rink will turn you away if you have the money to play/see a game. Feeling awkward because of your appearance or worrying that your friends will think you're weird has nothing to do with hockey.
The extremely isolated incidents of racism cited are the realities of of society and in no way limited to the hockey world.

Something to do about nothing, in my opinion.

oh your 100% correct I would never argue with you or discount your above statement