Title: Twitter Blows Up with Racial Reactions after P.K Subban Scores Game Winner
Author: CBS Detroit
Link: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/05/02/boston-strong-racist-reaction-after-subban-scores-game-winner/
During the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Boston Bruins were playing the Montreal Canadiens in a heated rivalry game. The game went to overtime and then a second overtime, when P.K Subban, arguably one of the best defensemans in the NHL, scored and ended the game. What seemed like a great, physical hockey game turned into a race matter, when people took to their phones and started saying horrible, racial slurs to P.K Subban. The use of the n-word was very prevalent along with other derogatory names. Many Boston fans said that he did not belong in hockey and that the sport is run by whites only. Boston apologized to Subban and the league on behalf of their fans, but it begs the question how far have we come in minimizing racism and stereotypes. In a predominately white league, shouldn’t we embrace athletes that come from different backgrounds and ethnicities? What surprised many people the most was the reaction from P.K. He said that these tweets did not represent Boston as a whole, and that he is very grateful to play in a rink with such passionate fans. This resilience and self-determination to not retaliate is truly remarkable, as it is only a natural reaction to fire back. Almost more embarrassing than the tweets, is that P.K’s brother is actually a member of the Boston Bruins. Although the young goalie is not in the lineup yet, he is a prominent player on the Providence Bruins, a secondary team. Just like his older brother, Malcolm showed poise and maturity when asked about the tweets. These incidents can be compared to, “Forty Million Ways to be Black” because according to Boston, “blacks don’t belong in hockey”. “Forty Million Ways to Be Black” talks about stereotypes and the stereotype that it is strange to see African American hockey players is unfortunately a reality. In the end, these tweets are a disgrace to Boston and don’t belong in hockey.
Author: CBS Detroit
Link: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/05/02/boston-strong-racist-reaction-after-subban-scores-game-winner/
During the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Boston Bruins were playing the Montreal Canadiens in a heated rivalry game. The game went to overtime and then a second overtime, when P.K Subban, arguably one of the best defensemans in the NHL, scored and ended the game. What seemed like a great, physical hockey game turned into a race matter, when people took to their phones and started saying horrible, racial slurs to P.K Subban. The use of the n-word was very prevalent along with other derogatory names. Many Boston fans said that he did not belong in hockey and that the sport is run by whites only. Boston apologized to Subban and the league on behalf of their fans, but it begs the question how far have we come in minimizing racism and stereotypes. In a predominately white league, shouldn’t we embrace athletes that come from different backgrounds and ethnicities? What surprised many people the most was the reaction from P.K. He said that these tweets did not represent Boston as a whole, and that he is very grateful to play in a rink with such passionate fans. This resilience and self-determination to not retaliate is truly remarkable, as it is only a natural reaction to fire back. Almost more embarrassing than the tweets, is that P.K’s brother is actually a member of the Boston Bruins. Although the young goalie is not in the lineup yet, he is a prominent player on the Providence Bruins, a secondary team. Just like his older brother, Malcolm showed poise and maturity when asked about the tweets. These incidents can be compared to, “Forty Million Ways to be Black” because according to Boston, “blacks don’t belong in hockey”. “Forty Million Ways to Be Black” talks about stereotypes and the stereotype that it is strange to see African American hockey players is unfortunately a reality. In the end, these tweets are a disgrace to Boston and don’t belong in hockey.