The world of hockey has come to see stars of all different race and ethnicity. The game has grown in many ways but is still known as a predominately white sport. A league that is almost 95% white did not see a change until the 1980s. Val James was a feared enforcer who was not only recognized for his fierce fighting tactics but for his race. Val James was the first black man to play in the National Hockey League. James faced racial slurs and physical acts of violence during his career. Nearly thirty years after his retirement, James still finds it hard to watch NHL games. It took him close to ten years to watch a game which he says brings back traumatizing memories. Spectators used to throw bananas on the ice and make obscene gestures in the penalty box towards the enforcer.
In today's game, hockey has seen an increase in African American NHL players. Stars like Evander Kane, PK Subban, and Wayne Simmonds have made a name for themselves in the league by displaying their skill. Although the game has changed, these players still face discrimination. Val James broke down the racial barrier in the NHL. His contribution to the sport has allowed super stars like Kane, Subban, and Simmonds to emerge as role models for young African American hockey players.
Sommerstein, D. (2015, February 26). As First Black American NHL Player, Enforcer Was Defenseless Against Racism. Retrieved April 26, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2015/02/26/389284068/as-first-black-american-nhl-player-enforcer-was-defenseless-vs-racism
This relates to professional soccer in Europe as these traumatizing memories are still current acts. Throughout different leagues and countries within the Union of European Football Association there are constant discriminatory acts. Players such as Kevin Prince Boateng, Dani Alves, Emmanuel Frimpong and Mario Balotelli have been targets for these disresepectful spectators. The events of throwing bananas and shouting derogatory comments towards the players have been evident in recent times. These has resulted in a response from the players. Boateng gathered his team and abandoned the game. Frimpong gestured back at the crowd and got a red card for his actions. Whereas Dani Alves actually picked up, peeled, and took a bite out of the banana when it was thrown at him during a corner kick.
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