Why The NHL’s Response To Charlottesville Should Worry You

This was the statement issued by the Detroit Red Wings following the incidents surrounding the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA over the weekend. A strong, almost threatening statement from one of the league’s most prolific franchises, and one that clearly states where they stand on the issues at hand. Following this statement was one issued by the league, saying,

“We are obviously outraged by the irresponsible and improper use of our intellectual property as seen this weekend in Charlottesville, Va. This specific use is directly contrary to the value of inclusiveness that our League prioritizes and champions. We will take immediate and all necessary steps to insure the use is discontinued as promptly as possible, and will vigorously pursue other remedies, as appropriate.” (via nbcsports.com)

Both statements came in response to the use of the Detroit logo as a banner for the Michigan-based white supremacist group, the Detroit Right Wings. In both cases, both the Red Wings brass and the NHL made their intentions known. First, they condemn and disagree with the ideologies being promoted at the event. The Red Wings, in fact, “vehemently disagree” with the event. Second, they clearly identify where their own beliefs lie: inclusiveness and diversity. Third, they have no qualms about creating a legal hell for any of those who have “improperly” and “irresponsibly” used their property to further racist and harmful systems of thought.

What shouldn’t worry you, especially if you are a hockey fan, is the way the NHL handled this issue. They came out almost immediately to state that the use of their intellectual property, particularly by this group, is not going to be tolerated and that they will take any steps necessary to punish those involved. Their property was exploited for the promotion of a value system they clearly do not support and refuse to validate. They made this very clear, and the quick action taken by the league should make hockey fans feel proud of the league they support.

So why should this statement make you worry? Simple. A sports league took a more firm and vehement stance on white supremacy and racism in America than did the President of the United States.

I love sports for a lot of reasons, but one of them is that it makes for a perfect escape from events and scenarios that bombard our lives. There are the rare times, though, when even sports get wrapped up into the issues arising in culture. Even sports cannot escape some historical and societal occurrences. For the NHL, this weekend was one of those moments. Was there a monetary component at play when an NHL logo is used in such a way? Of course. But the moment forced the NHL to have to say something.

So when the National Hockey League — a league which features more Canadian players than players from every other country combined — takes as strong a stance as they did on American society, it’s notable. When the NHL — which as of this decade has a whopping 93% white players — takes a hard-line stance against racism and white supremacist groups, it’s no small statement.

But when the American President fails to do even this, it should worry you. When the leader of the country is being afflicted by a march of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and Klansmen fails to do what a sports league does, it should leave you scratching your head. That’s right, folks. The President of the United States missed the layup and failed to do what even Gary Bettman could figure out how to do correctly. The NHL condemns and vehemently disagrees with white supremacists. The President does not.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and Nazi resistor in World War II, once famously said “not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” The NHL’s statement was loud and clear. But the lack of statement from the US President…well, that was loud and clear, too.