U.S.– The NAACP, joined by other prominent black advocacy groups, has issued a scathing letter to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman demanding an immediate end to the use of black hockey pucks. The organizations claim that the black rubber disks, which have been a cornerstone of the sport since its inception, symbolize racial oppression and discrimination against black people.<\/p>\n
“We cannot in good conscience continue to watch white players, well over 90% of the league, brutally assault black pucks with sticks,” said NAACP spokesperson Montel Jackson. “It\u2019s a grotesque reenactment of the lynchings our ancestors suffered. The fact that these pucks are black and must be hit by predominantly white men is a painful reminder of our nation\u2019s dark past.”<\/p>\n
The letter goes on to suggest that the pucks be repainted white to “alleviate the trauma” caused by the current setup in an effort to end the “glaring and violent symbol of systemic oppression against blacks.”<\/p>\n
“Imagine if the roles were reversed,” Jackson added. “If black players were hitting white pucks, there\u2019d be outrage. But because it\u2019s the other way around, society turns a blind eye. This isn’t just a game, it’s a micro-aggression on a macro scale, a nightly normalization of violence against blackness itself.”<\/p>\n
When questioned about the absurdity of the claim, Jackson responded, “You wouldn\u2019t understand. You\u2019re not black.”<\/p>\n