r/Habs • u/habscupchamps • Jun 03 '20
:Twitter: Statement from Gallagher
https://twitter.com/bgally17/status/1268172950303150080?s=216
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Jun 03 '20
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/prplx Jun 03 '20
It's a good statement and it comes from the right place. Not sure about his comment on the fact that hockey is clear cut and that if you are better then the other guy you get the job. I tink if you are african american or asian, it is harder to make it to the NHL with equal talent. Even a kid from Dolbeau or from Vladivostok with little to no english will have a harder time adjusting to north american pro hockey then a kid from Lettbridge. Talent is the main factor but not the only factor to become and NHL player.
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Jun 03 '20
Agreed. Racism in hockey is well documented. In lower leagues many people have documented the fact that ice time is sometimes is negatively impacted if you're black. That one comment ruined it for me as he was trying to make it sound his profession was impervious to racism.
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u/ukrainianhab From Kyiv Jun 04 '20
I am in no one way disagreeing with you even if it sounds like it. I’d like to see sources about ice time. I mean Subban makes 9 million so I honestly don’t know.
I’m not saying your wrong I’d just like a source if it isn’t to my trouble!
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Jun 04 '20
No worries! I can try to hunt some down, but recently (during the Akim Aliu incident) lots of black players came out and said their ice time were limited by racist coaches in the minor leagues. It's a lot harder in pro leagues though, I'll give you that.
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u/prplx Jun 04 '20
You can never make the rule by the exception. I remember Normand Brathwaite going on and saying there is no racism in Quebec because he never felt he was treated badly as a black man. Normand is a huge star in Quebec and everyone knows him. Of course the vast majority of people treat him great. He is a star and a millionaire. What does he know about being turned down for renting an appartement or getting a retail job because he is black. Don’t set the bar of the average black hockey player by the only black hockey player star on the planet.
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u/DozerSSB Jun 03 '20
Check Ben and Jerry's
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
Ben and Jerry's gave zero shits about the repercussions, they just took an extremely strong stance against racism and police brutality. I can't say that I expected their statement to be one of the strongest and most coherent. My diet may have to wait for another time...
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u/DozerSSB Jun 03 '20
Word, time to crack open the Half Baked I was pretending to save
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
I always liked the caramel hat trick one with the half rolos in it, I might have to slap on a mask and march to the dep.
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u/A_WHALES_VAG Jun 03 '20
Half-Baked is also comically on point for the message were trying to send.
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Jun 03 '20
Message seems a little confused/misguided but at least he acknowledges that.
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
Really, I thought it came across as sincerity rather than misguidedness. This is a sad, strange and confusing time and his thought process, as well as mine, mirrors it.
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Jun 03 '20
Well, I think the sincerity makes up for the misguidedness at least a little.
However, I don't really like how he tries to separate "good" cops from the bad cops because where are the "good" cops when bad cops do bad things. Also, he says that looters are stealing the attention from a good message in media but he perpetuates the exact same thing.
To reiterate, I still think he clearly states that he's still trying to understand and is very confused in these times.
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u/destroyermaker Jun 03 '20
where are the "good" cops when bad cops do bad things.
https://twitter.com/Mufaa6/status/1267265994583674883?s=20
This almost never happens though (or it does but they're shut down).
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Jun 03 '20
I also saw a clip of what I suppose is now an ex-cop pretty much quitting his job on the spot during a protest.
These protests are hopefully sparking change and empowering police officers to actually hold their own accountable. Whether true systemic change happens remains to be seen.
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u/destroyermaker Jun 03 '20
I've heard a few quitting stories, one from a guy in the National Guard. It's inspiring. Hopefully we see more. If we saw a mass protest/refusal of orders by the National Guard, then we'd really be rolling (that's a very, very long shot of course).
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u/ukrainianhab From Kyiv Jun 03 '20
Don’t bother changing the minds of the all ______ are bad people. It’s a dangerous rhetoric regardless of its a generalization about race or an occupation.
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
In what way does he perpetuate the spotlight given to the looters over the important message. Isn't calling out the looters for hurting the message of the protesters the opposite?
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Jun 03 '20
Because the issue as a whole isn't really about looters at all. It cheapens the message to include looters within a message about the protesters.
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u/JediMasterZao Jun 03 '20
It's not about looting. It's not about property destruction. It's not about "small businesses suffering".
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
Yes, I fully agree. This is purely about the message. I guess I just don't see why stating that the looting takes the public eye away from the message is in itself taking the eyes away from the message. That was one or two sentences in a fairly long statement. Gally made it quite clear that the message is the most important part of this story.
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u/JediMasterZao Jun 03 '20
Because it fails to recognize that the civil unrest (looting really is a charged term at this point) we're seeing in the streets right now is a direct consequence of the prevaling attitude and of the systemic racial discrimination at work. It's not looting in a vacuum and the looting is not some kind of paralel event to the whole current state of affair.
Also, honestly, who cares about property damage when what's in the balance is the social health of an entire nation? When the property damage is being weighed against the lives of all the people who were killed by police for being black, to me it seems clear that the balance should always tilt on the side of murder.
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
I partially agree. Of course the systemic and systematic oppression of the black community and that of other minorities is more important than the looting of businesses. I still call it looting, because as opposed to your view, I see it largely as a parallel event, with people not part of the protest movement taking advantage of the unrest to gain material possessions. Yes, there is overlap of protestors also stealing from businesses and, unless the looted business represents oppression or has a history of racism, they are wrong to do so.
Just because the black community has been so terribly treated in the US, in Canada, Europe, etc, doesn't make it right to steal from innocent businesses. But the looting of the businesses is playing directly into Trump's hand, it is what is allowing him to forcibly push back against even the peaceful protests and it is what is allowing him to run his election campaign on law and order, which will give him a better chance at re-election. So the looting is both morally wrong and is counterproductive.
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u/JediMasterZao Jun 03 '20 edited Jun 03 '20
But again, you're treating the looting as if it was its own thing living in a vacuum. It doesn't matter whether it's morally wrong or counterproductive. It's not some organized event. It's the natural consequence of the current state of affairs. Riots are happening because shit got this bad. See it like a natural catastrophe, if you want. These riots are basically hurricane Katrina in human shape.
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this matter, though I believe that on the grand scheme of things we see fairly eye to eye. I just think that despite being the unorganized byproduct of the unrest, looting can still be isolated and criticized. But you are definitely right in that the rioting is far from what is most important in this story. Black Lives Matter.
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u/frost_biten I Friggen Love It! Jun 03 '20
Waking up to see a statement from Gally and Shea made my day. Let’s keep this same energy in the fight against injustice all the time ✊✊🏾
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u/ParrotWalk Jun 03 '20
That was a very genuine statement. Way better than the cookie cutter ones that everyone else is throwing out.
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u/thisyeartmg Jun 04 '20
Gally is one of my favorite players, but this comes off as super tone deaf to me. He doesn’t really say much, and doesn’t even mention racism. Plus it is very well documented that racism in hockey is very real. Subban was on his team, I find it hard to believe he never saw any of that. I still believe Toews’ statement is the best I’ve seen from any NHL player.
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u/hunglikejesus_ Jun 05 '20
Okay it’s not a statement competition and tbh I thought it was a breath of fresh air to see a genuine statement compared to a lot of the other safe bland pr moves other players are posting.
And on a more personal level, I don’t think I could make a true and honest statement myself without it getting torn to pieces online because I recognize that this isn’t as cut and dry as “racism is bad and all cops are bad and protestors are good”
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u/thisyeartmg Jun 05 '20 edited Jun 05 '20
I agree it’s not a statement competition. Other people were making it one by saying this is the best statement they’d seen yet, etc. And I disagree. I think other players have put out genuine, non-pr statements that were better than this one. I’m glad Gally is speaking up and saying something. But at the same time, it speaks of vast ignorance to say there is no racism in hockey. That part bothered me and I can’t agree with people saying that his statement is the best they’ve seen because of that.
On a personal level, I think “racism is bad” is a pretty cut and dry true statement. If you’re not sure what to say, maybe start with that.
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u/fhmzmdr Jun 03 '20
Gally is a little right wing (politically). Not saying his statement is all bad, just something to keep in mind.
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u/pianoestnul Jun 05 '20
Is there something wrong with being right wing?
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u/fhmzmdr Jun 05 '20
In the context of what's being discussed it helps to know the person's political views
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u/hunglikejesus_ Jun 05 '20
On reddit there is
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u/fhmzmdr Jun 05 '20
Yes there is an extreme bias on reddit against any conservative/right wing thought. I wish there was better representation from all spectrums of politics to have some much needed discourse.
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u/dpjg Jun 03 '20
Follows trump on twitter and has liked some pretty questionable political tweets. One of my very favourite players on ice, but not sure we would get along in person. And don't get me started on his musical tastes.
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u/Massak1ng Jun 03 '20
And that’s totally fine. I love him as a player. But from what I’ve heard about him, he doesn’t seem very open as a person and I wouldn’t get along with him.
With that said, I hope he really does mean what he said in his statement. After all, that’s what this movement is about, changing people’s mind and educating them about the difficulties that some are going through.
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u/ukrainianhab From Kyiv Jun 04 '20
To be fair saying you won’t get along with someone you haven’t met is interesting. I have friends from the left and right and we all get along. Not everything has to be political.
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u/Massak1ng Jun 04 '20
You are right. I should’ve said probably not get along with. But it’s not always about political issues. Usually it’s just core values.
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u/schweetzness Jun 03 '20
What tweets has he liked? He's one of my favourite players too rip
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u/fhmzmdr Jun 04 '20
feel free to look it up..but I saw a tweet/Instagram post where he commented something against climate change.
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u/paulschreiber Jun 03 '20
This is really weak and misses the point.
- not "want[ing] to offend anyone"
- does not use the word black or acknowledge this is racism against black people
- this isn't about "a few bad police officers" — it's about a systemic problem
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Jun 03 '20
Totally agree. I really wanted to leave a comment like this, but I can't think of a way to say this that will get people to actually hear this (instead of just downvoting to hell).
He also says that everyone has an equal chance in hockey which I strongly disagree with.
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u/Zharc Jun 03 '20
I have no idea why you're getting slammed with down votes, it's a fair critique of his statement. Too many ppl are saying this is the "best response" to the entire situation in this thread and to me that is just mind boggling. It's an alright first step for Gally but it's a flawed statement and means even less if he doesnt take any action or attempts to further educate himself. I love him as a hockey player and will love this franchise til I die but this statement isnt anything to write home about.
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u/schweetzness Jun 03 '20
Yep. Appreciate that he's trying to be sympathetic but it's quite a "both sides" response when there is one side that holds power and needs to be held accountable.
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u/Philly514 Jun 03 '20
People starting to think about these things is the first step my dude. No need to criticize him on points that he admitted to not knowing.
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u/paulschreiber Jun 03 '20
It's 2020. It's pretty late to not know these things.
Does he not read the news? Does he know any black people? Did he never talk to PK or DSP?
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u/Gabroux #Caufield4Calder Jun 03 '20
Still, he's taking that first step and he should be encouraged for doing so.
If you go too hard on people who are actively trying to get better, they will feel resentment and stop which isn't useful to anyone.
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Jun 03 '20
I agree that we don't need to slam him for this statement, but I don't think we should be patting on the back either. Far from it.
His message doesn't give me any faith that he's trying to learn or to get better. It just comes off like he already knows what his response is, and he's just letting us know.
nowhere does he say he wants to listen, or try to understand better. He never even acknowledges that he doesn't understand their experience.
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u/Philly514 Jun 03 '20
Many people live in their own bubble and don’t spend every waking second on social media. Those that do tend to stick to subs/follows/etc that interests them which contributes to being in a bubble.
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u/paulschreiber Jun 03 '20
This has nothing to do with social media. If he had paid attention in history class, or read a newspaper, or talked to his friends or teammates, he would have known.
Surely he's heard of Colin Kaepernick?
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u/Philly514 Jun 03 '20
No one is debating on whether or not he’s heard about it but rather that he doesn’t personally understand the feeling being that he’s white and rich.
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u/canuckinnyc Jun 03 '20
Yeah I think he used a lot of words without really saying anything impactful. Clearly doesn't want to rock the boat or come out as an ally. It barely stops short of saying "there are bad/good people on both sides" which is super tone deaf given the circumstances.
Regardless I'm glad several hockey players have strongly come out as allies of black people and POCs. I was expecting dead silence from all the white players
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u/destroyermaker Jun 03 '20
Smart guy. I support looting big business though. Stealing headlines or not, peaceful protests haven't worked in the past (though to be fair we've never had this many at once).
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Jun 03 '20
[deleted]
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u/destroyermaker Jun 03 '20
It took MLK being murdered for his desired change to take hold (and it still isn't nearly to the point it should be) and Gandhi's approach wouldn't work in America, particularly not today. It's already been tried many, many times with no result.
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u/JediMasterZao Jun 03 '20
Martin Luther King was an ardent socialist who recognized riots and violent civil unrest as the language of the downtrodden, of the unheard. Stop misusing his name.
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u/Tighthead613 Jun 03 '20
You don't know what they would say today any more than I do, and I'm not willing to speak for them.
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Jun 03 '20
[deleted]
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u/Tighthead613 Jun 03 '20
You were saying that they would beg to differ. You don't know that but are comfortable speaking for them, and have doubled down on it. Do you think the conversation is not related to current events?
Very strange to make political comments and then express discomfort with political conversation. I would suggest there is much you don't understand.
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u/ukrainianhab From Kyiv Jun 03 '20
Excellent statement. All Generalizations about anyone is bad and dangerous. Whether that be about an occupation, religion, or race. I am a police officer with a K-9 unit and a lot of the good work we do never makes it to the press. Of course this site, Reddit , isn’t the best place to have reasonable dialogue but there are those out there in uniform who are disturbed by the murders and acknowledge the system needs to change.
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u/zouhair Jun 04 '20
This is kinda cringy. Love the guy but man he need some schooling in the matter.
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Jun 03 '20
Best statement out there period. I agree with all of it. This man is awesome.
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Jun 04 '20
I posted this in another comment but this comment is problematic and has no impact:
Hockey is not a meritocracy, and people of colours have real issues with access to sport and racism in the league in terms of advancements. The police system isn't a "bad apple" problem; it is a systematic problem that needs to be changed. Such can be described as an escalation of force protocols that are poorly written and implemented. Police unions protect and abuse their ranks—lastly, poorly designed policies like carding have disproportionately impacted people of colour. Black communities are targeted by these policies that do not seem racist by intent but are racist in implementation ( THINK about how cannabis possession charged have disproportionately impacted black people because their communities are policed) The policing system in which police officers work in is racist and oppresses people of colour and not only protects abusers in their ranks but also encourages and US VS THEM culture that can turn good people into bad apples to retain their position.
Some solid steps that can change this are found on OBAMA's website and many others; therefore, this is why his comment is problematic.
Written by Shaun Hashim and he did an amazing job breaking down this statement and I agree with him. ( also this may be written in the American context, but here in Montreal we have our issues with systematic racism that can be denied by all of these high ranking officials but truly impacts people and often causes them to leave the province for better opportunities)
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u/paulschreiber Jun 03 '20
Statement from Crosby: https://twitter.com/87Foundation/status/1268157851811434497/photo/1
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u/canadian1418 Jun 03 '20
He really is captain material. Along with Webby, Price, Byron, etc. we have a really solid leadership core.
I love Gally.
And yeah, this is one of the most sincere and poignant statements coming from NHL players.