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SCREEN CAPTURE Matt Dumba knelt during the 'Star Spangled Banner' before a playoff game between the Oilers and Blackhawks. |
Ahead of the the first game of the Western Conference qualifying round between the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks, the 26-year-old Dumba joined the two teams at centre ice and spoke out against social and racial injustice before kneeling
“Hockey is a great game. But it could be a whole lot greater and it starts with all of us.”
Dumba said the opportunity to give his speech came about when the NHL approved the speech after the Hockey Diversity Alliance reached out to the league a few weeks ago, and he was given the green light on Thursday.
On Sunday, Dumba told SportsNet that he wanted to make it clear that his decision to kneel was not meant to be disrespectful, and that his only regret was not doing the same for the Canadian anthem.
“I kind of froze up and I know why I knelt and it wasn’t a sign of disrespect by any means. It was to shed light on the people who’ve lived through injustice and oppression, especially in my home state of Minnesota,” reported SportsNet.
“I think my biggest regret was not doing it for the Canadian national anthem as well because there needs to be a lot of light that has to be shed on what it happening in Canada and the oppression First Nations have felt for hundreds of years. I have First Nations and Aboriginal families that have lived it and I was disappointed looking back on it.”
He said in the future, instead of kneeling, he will simply raise his fist to continue his message of social justice. Prior to the Wild's 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, Dumba carried out his promise.
A day lalter, Dumba, one of the few players of color in the NHL, wanted to make it clear that his decision to kneel was not meant to be disrespectful, and that his only regret was not doing the same for the Canadian anthem.
“During this pandemic something unexpected but long-overdue occurred: the world woke up to the existence of systematic racism and how deeply rooted it is within our society,” Dumba said Saturday. “For those unaffected by systematic racism, or unaware, I’m sure that some of you believe that this topic has garnered too much attention during the last couple of months. But let me assure you, it has not. Racism is a man-made creation and all it does is deteriorate from our collective prosperity.”
“Racism is everywhere. Racism is everywhere, and we need to fight against it. On behalf of the NHL and the Hockey Diversity Alliance, we vow and promise to stand up for justice and fight for what is right.
“I know firsthand, as a minority playing the great game of hockey, the unexplainable and difficult challenges that come with it,” Dumba continued. “The Hockey Diversity Alliance and the NHL want kids to feel safe, comfortable and free-minded every time the enter an arena.
“So I stand in front of you today on behalf of those groups and promise you that … we will fight against injustice and fight for what is right. I hope this inspires a new generation of hockey players and hockey fans because Black lives matter. Breonna Taylor’s life matters.
“During this pandemic something unexpected but long-overdue occurred: the world woke up to the existence of systematic racism and how deeply rooted it is within our society,” Dumba said Saturday. “For those unaffected by systematic racism, or unaware, I’m sure that some of you believe that this topic has garnered too much attention during the last couple of months. But let me assure you, it has not. Racism is a man-made creation and all it does is deteriorate from our collective prosperity.”
“Racism is everywhere. Racism is everywhere, and we need to fight against it. On behalf of the NHL and the Hockey Diversity Alliance, we vow and promise to stand up for justice and fight for what is right.
“I know firsthand, as a minority playing the great game of hockey, the unexplainable and difficult challenges that come with it,” Dumba continued. “The Hockey Diversity Alliance and the NHL want kids to feel safe, comfortable and free-minded every time the enter an arena.
“So I stand in front of you today on behalf of those groups and promise you that … we will fight against injustice and fight for what is right. I hope this inspires a new generation of hockey players and hockey fans because Black lives matter. Breonna Taylor’s life matters.
“Hockey is a great game. But it could be a whole lot greater and it starts with all of us.”
Dumba said the opportunity to give his speech came about when the NHL approved the speech after the Hockey Diversity Alliance reached out to the league a few weeks ago, and he was given the green light on Thursday.
On Sunday, Dumba told SportsNet that he wanted to make it clear that his decision to kneel was not meant to be disrespectful, and that his only regret was not doing the same for the Canadian anthem.
“I kind of froze up and I know why I knelt and it wasn’t a sign of disrespect by any means. It was to shed light on the people who’ve lived through injustice and oppression, especially in my home state of Minnesota,” reported SportsNet.
“I think my biggest regret was not doing it for the Canadian national anthem as well because there needs to be a lot of light that has to be shed on what it happening in Canada and the oppression First Nations have felt for hundreds of years. I have First Nations and Aboriginal families that have lived it and I was disappointed looking back on it.”
He said in the future, instead of kneeling, he will simply raise his fist to continue his message of social justice. Prior to the Wild's 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, Dumba carried out his promise.
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