Minnesota Hockey Journal

March 2021

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Y PARENTS IMMI- GRATED FROM GHANA, West Africa to Canada before I was born. It didn't take them long to recognize their best path to integrat- ing into the Canadian culture was through hockey. Duh, right? They also quickly learned that hock- ey hasn't always been the easiest sport to integrate into as a Black, Latino, Indigenous or person of another race. I still remember being told as a kid that I had to play ringette first, because the youth association in Canada didn't quite think I had the skills, as a Black boy, to actually play hockey. Hockey is, in my opinion, the great- est sport on earth. And like in Canada, Minnesota shares that same passion and enthusiasm for that game that makes it a part of the state's identity and culture. Because we love this game so much, we get very protective of it. Defensive. 'What do you mean this sport isn't wel- coming? It sure is! I welcome everyone. #HockeyIsForEveryone!' I get it. We all like to think we have the best intentions, but there is nothing wrong with admitting that acceptance in hockey hasn't and isn't always there. There are still barriers for people of color. Using those hard conversations to point out the wrongs is how we start to make a change toward right. Together. As allies to remove racism and take more steps to making #HockeyIsForEveryone ring true. When Minnesota Hockey approached me about the opportunity to become the organization's first ever equity advisor, I was honored. My goal is to work together with our committee and State of Hockey communities to start the conversation, change the culture and help initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in associations throughout the state. Conversations are starting. They're happening. Learning is taking place and the biggest piece to help us change is edu- cation stemming from that learning and those conversations. I challenge you, after you're done read- ing this, to get uncomfortable. Seek out those conversations and challenge your empathy. By admitting there's a problem it's not assigning blame or pointing at faults. It's something that we are address- ing. It's about aware- ness and empowering kids who come from diverse backgrounds to fall in the love with the sport like we all have. Hockey is for everyone is more than just a hashtag. It truly is a sport that truly can be for everybody. Whether you parent, play or just enjoy, it's up to us in and around the sport to make it as welcoming and safe as we possibly can. Jeff Baidoo is a member of the Minnesota Wild fan relations team and volunteer equity adviser for Minnesota Hockey. He can be reached at jbaidoo@minnesotahockey.org with any questions, as can the committee at diversity@minnesotahockey.org. More Than a Hashtag Putting meaning to #HockeyIsForEveryone Sound Off by Jeff Baidoo M A R C H 2 0 2 1 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 09 M "Hockey is for everyone is more than just a hashtag. It truly is a sport that truly can be for everybody. Whether you parent, play or just enjoy, it's up to us in and around the sport to make it as welcoming and safe as we possibly can. Photos / Jeff Baidoo, MHJ Archives Let's work together to make hockey a sport that welcomes and embraces everyone.

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