The article entitled "Violence and racial slurs on the rise in kids' hockey" which was published in the Toronto Star, focuses on incidents of racial slurs in amateur hockey today. The article speaks of Carl Friday, an official in the Greater Toronto Hockey League, who recounts an experience where a 16 year old boy called him the n-word and then threatened his life. From a social-constructionist, postcolonial perspective, this appears to have long-standing roots which date back to colonial times. Until today, it is possible to see people making distinctions based on colour, a practice dating back to colonial times.
It is vital that we teach the children playing these games that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and there will be consequences such as suspensions if it continues. Further, it is imperative that their parents set a proper example. However, the article cites at the very end that some parents have also been caught using similar derogatory slurs such as telling a black official to go back to basketball or football. As such, it appears that the league will have to continue to take on the role of being the disciplinarian, at least for the time being.
The article is available through the Toronto Star website at: http://www.thestar.com/sports/gthl/article/734837--violence-and-racial-slurs-on-the-rise-in-kids-hockey
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