Akim Aliu recalled how no one knew what to expect when he and four NHL players of color sat in a circle inside a dimly lit locker room and, with cameras rolling, were asked to share their most personal and painful experiences involving racism.
B次元官网网址淓veryone was really worried B次元官网网址� because, obviously, weB次元官网网址檙e not actors or anything and with the really raw material B次元官网网址� that we would run out of things to talk about,B次元官网网址� Aliu said.
Instead, a film shoot initially expected to last no more than half an hour was approaching 90 minutes when the director finally said cut.
The stories were told by Aliu, MinnesotaB次元官网网址檚 Matt Dumba, ColoradoB次元官网网址檚 Nazem Kadri, TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Wayne Simmonds and FloridaB次元官网网址檚 Anthony Duclair, members of the recently formed Hockey Diversity Alliance. The exchange proved so powerful it became the focal point of a that debuted Saturday to launch an HDA campaign to eradicate racism in hockey.
Sponsored by Budweiser Canada, an edited version of the video (to meet broadcast standards for language and content) will be used in a commercial aired in Canada to promote the TapeOutHate campaign. An unfiltered version will be posted on social media.
As part of the campaign, rolls of black hockey tape with messages of support and solidarity printed on them with $1 from each sale going toward the HDA.
by current and former NHL players of color in the wake of in May 2020. This campaign represents its next step in raising awareness of racism in hockey, while at the same time seeking to make the predominantly white sport more accessible to minorities.
Dumba found the discussion empowering. With his mother Filipino, he was the target of racial slurs growing up in Saskatchewan because he has darker skin.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 standing up for our younger selves, you know, the 10, 11, 12-year-old Matt Dumba, knowing how confused he was by all of it, and how hurt he was at a time,B次元官网网址� said Dumba, the first in protest of FloydB次元官网网址檚 death. B次元官网网址淓very guy in our group, you start talking about some of the stuff you lived, and itB次元官网网址檚 bringing out more stuff that you just had buried for so long.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 also a message Dumba wanted to share with those dealing with similar experiences: to know they are not alone.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 disheartening that kids are having to go through this and feel that sense of loneliness and not know where to fit,B次元官网网址� Dumba said. B次元官网网址淚 hope it is a beacon of hope for the younger generation.B次元官网网址�
Racism isnB次元官网网址檛 new to the NHL. WhatB次元官网网址檚 changed are those within the game willing to speak out.
The cultural shift began in November 2019, when accusing his former minor league coach, Bill Peters, of directing racial slurs at him a decade earlier. The allegations proved true, leading to Peters resigning as coach of the Calgary Flames.
B次元官网网址淩acism, ignorance, hate, it has no place in our game,B次元官网网址� Dumba says in opening the video. What follows in the unfiltered version is a disclaimer and then actual slurs HDA players have endured on social media, text and direct messages from so-called fans.
During the locker room discussion, Dumba questions why any of them would want their child to play hockey. Simmonds responds by referring to his daughter: B次元官网网址淚f I knew she was going to have to face the same stuff I faced, probably not.B次元官网网址�
A 14-year NHL veteran, Simmonds was entering his third season with Los Angeles in 2011 when . The .
Budweiser Canada approached the HDA a year ago with its vision of the ad, with an emphasis on sending a strong message.
B次元官网网址淲e believe that we need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable because thatB次元官网网址檚 ultimately how we grow, learn, change and evolve,B次元官网网址� Budweiser Canada senior director Mike DB次元官网网址橝gostini said.
B次元官网网址淭he intent of this campaign is not Budweiser gaining. I think itB次元官网网址檚 about our partnership, really about the HDA gaining and the hockey world getting to a better place is the goal of this,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淲e hear those stories, we hear the struggle that the best players at the professional level are going through, and we want to be on the right side of the conversation and change.B次元官网网址�
Aliu helped oversee the project, and the former NHL player said he would never have teamed with any sponsor with an intent to water down the message.
B次元官网网址淲e were never going to sugarcoat anything and never do anything thatB次元官网网址檚 performative,B次元官网网址� Aliu said. B次元官网网址淭o be completely honest, theyB次元官网网址檝e kept their word from Day 1.B次元官网网址�
WhatB次元官网网址檚 disappointing to HDA members is the NHL declining an invitation to be involved.
Dumba questioned the leagueB次元官网网址檚 lack of interest by noting the campaignB次元官网网址檚 potential to broaden hockeyB次元官网网址檚 base.
B次元官网网址淭hat hurts. I guess it further shows where their heart lies on these issues. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a tough pill to swallow for us, for our group, for a lot of people trying to promote change in our game,B次元官网网址� Dumba said. B次元官网网址淭hey could have a huge hand in that and I just havenB次元官网网址檛 seen it yet.B次元官网网址�
The NHL, however, said it is supportive of the campaign, and intends to promote the video on its various platforms.
B次元官网网址淭he NHL applauds our partner Budweiser and the Hockey Diversity Alliance for their efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the sport of hockey,B次元官网网址� the NHL said in a statement released to The Associated Press.
B次元官网网址淭his ongoing movement requires vision and commitment from every stakeholder in hockey,B次元官网网址� the statement read. B次元官网网址淲e welcome all who are using their voices and platforms to pursue these important goals and remain determined to continue to use ours and to do the work necessary to create real change.B次元官网网址�
The league, , partnered with Scotiabank in October in launching a video promoting diversity titled
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John Wawrow, The Associated Press
