Imagine this- you're a hockey player and you've just scored an important goal, saving your team from the jaws of defeat. For a moment, you are on top of the world, and what do you do? You celebrate it of course. Sadly though, people get on you for it, say you're showboating, and all for one simple reason- the colour of your skin.
Showboating
Such is the case for former Norris Trophy winner, P.K. Subban. He's known for his joyous celebration of key goals, and has admitted that in the heat of the moment he doesn't think anything of said celebrations. And while there is no doubt that sometimes he might be a bit over the top, there is no need to bring race into the picture. If he were not a man of colour, would we even be having this discussion? Probably not. In fact, one of his team mates, Alex Galchenyuk did something similar at an earlier point of the season. While it was indeed enthusiastic, nobody dared say that he was showboating.
Yet time and time again, whenever Subban celebrates an important goal, I see people say that celebratory antics such as his don't belong in the NHL. But, and I have to ask this question: why is it okay for the Alex Ovechkins and Sidney Crosbys of the league to celebrate when they score, and not P.K. Subban? It just makes no sense. There's a huge double standard there. Why tell one player that its wrong when you allow others to do it?
It's not okay, and that's something that needs to change. We should be ashamed that this is still an issue in 2014. Is a player any less talented because he's not Caucasian? No. If we the fans don't stand up and say we oppose others using such vulgar language, then nothing is ever going to change. Future generations of hockey players shouldn't have to face the stigma that today's players face. Heck, the players of today shouldn't have to deal with it either.
F****** N*****
Who cares about the colour of a man's skin? Not me. I say let them play, and let's stop judging them on how they look and focus more on what really counts: whether or not he has the skills to play the game. P.K. Subban is one of the most talented and skilled players to ever put on the CH of the Montreal Canadiens.
Yet after last night, after he scored the game winning goal in double OT against Boston, Bruins fans pelted the ice with trash and beer cans, among other things. And on Twitter, there were roughly some 17,000 racist comments made towards him. Um excuse me, are they blind or something? Their top line features a mixed race player in Jarome Iginla. And within their system is a very talented young goalie, Malcolm Subban, the younger brother of the very guy you level racial slurs towards.
Even if you didn't have these players, how is this even remotely okay? What voice in your head told you this was okay? I understand not liking a guy, hey that's natural. But there is absolutely no need to call him what you did. If I were a part of your fan base (and I thank God I'm not), I would be ashamed that anybody could say that shit! Makes me wonder if you were ever taught "treat others how you want to be treated" or "if you can't say anything nice, dont say anything at all".
Because if you were, it's a lesson you need to relearn!
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