Posted on 09/28/2017 8:04:27 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Joel Ward will not be the first player in NHL history to take a knee during the national anthem, the Sharks forward announced on Thursday.
But his announcement came with a heartfelt message for equality and bridging the gap between communities:
"Over the last several days, I have been asked if I would consider kneeeling during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. It's something I have spent a lot of time thinking about.
"As a black man, I have experienced racism both inside and outside of the sporting world. I have been pulled over by law enforcement for no reason. I have been looked at suspiciously because of the color of my skin. "I hold an immense amount of respect for the many players -- across the sporting world -- that have chosen to peacefully bring attention to a couple of big issues in today's society, which are inequlaity and the use of excessive force against people of color in the United States of America. Make no mistake that racism exists and that people of color are treated differently on a day-to-day basis. "I also feel that the original message that was trying to be communicated has been lost. The focus has shifted to the act of the kneeling itself or to a protest of the flag or the military. What are we really talking about here?
"I feel extremely lucky to be able to play this great game of hockey, but even within our own game, we can treat each other better than we currently do at all levels of the sport. There is still progress to be made.
"And that's where I want everyone to re-focus their attention -- on moving progress forward. We need to be working on bridging the gap between people of all oclor, and between law enforcement and minorities. How can we be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem -- or be another distraction from what the real issues are?
"Although I fully support those who before me have taken the lead in bringing awareness to these issues, I will not kneel during the national anthem like my brothers have done.
"But now that I have the world's attention, let's meet at the kitchen table, the locker room or in the stands and continue the healing process. Let our collective focus be on bridging the gap between communities -- on working to heal generations of unequal treatment of people of color in the United States of America -- and not turning our backs on that which is hard to face head on.
"I will continue to work within my community to help improve the lives of others, and I intend to partner with groups dedicated to bridging racial inequality and fostering a better relationship between law enforcement and people of all color.
"If we spend more time talking about these real issues instead of the actions that are taking place in an attempt to raise awareness about them, we will be a much richer and stronger society.
-- Joel Randal Ward
"I believe in the goodness of a free society. And I believe that the society can remain good only as long as we are willing to fight for it, and to fight against whatever imperfections may exist." -- Jackie Robinson
Who gives a damn?
The rest of us don’t get to use our jobs as a grandstand.
He can say or do whatever he wants outside the arena.
On the job? Just do your job punk. That’s what people are paying you to do. Hijacking the game for your own political reasons is crap.
Let’s face it, if you have been anywhere in your life outside your door, you have experienced racism. i don’t care what color you are.
Maybe I’m being a little harsh. After all, he isn’t going to do the kneeling thing.
But it’s still...why does he have to bring it into his job in the first place.
As an American of Italian descent, I’ve had to withstand AWFUL jokes (as in not funny) from the likes of Nickcarraway and I’ve had to read about places called “Noodle Company” or some such wording.
Yet I’ve NEVER knelt while reading Free Republic.
Except for that one time when my hiatal hernia acted up after a particularly strong dish of gnocchi.
I think you are. You’re basically saying, no matter what he does he’s wrong. And if he didn’t make some kind of statement, the media would hound him.
I thought you were half Italian and half Sicilian.
SICILIANS MAKE UP THE BEST PART OF THE ITALIANS!!!!
THE MAINLAND SNEERS AT US OUT OF JEALOUSY!!!!!
Mom’s folks were from Sicily and pop was straight out of Naples (not Compton).
She made the best home made Sicilian pizza when I was a kid. Alas, she is too old now to make it.
She also made great home made Cavatelli, whose origins you probably know better than me, wannabe Italian that you are.
He’s been asked about it incessantly, so I don’t blame him to addressing it head-on.
twice as many whites are shot by cops than blacks, but white liuves don’t matter.
nearly everything in america revolves around the 13 percent of the population who have “no power”
Something to keep in mind here is that being disrespectful during ANY country’s national anthem is a no-no in hockey. Canadian hockey fans know the U.S. national anthem by heart.
..liked PK Subban’s statement much better...
P.S. — Joel Ward is Canadian, so it’s ludicrous to be asking him about this sh!t.
Good job Joel.
Maybe people look at them suspiciously because most of them are leering menacingly out of hoodies.
Hoodies have traditionally been the choice of assassins and robbers throughout time and in every culture.
And I know both the English and French versions of O, Canada.
I see the nerdiest teens from the high school in hoodies.
Emulating the “oppressed” class.
For crying out loud, you’re from Ontario and your parents are from Barbados.
Get over yourself.
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