“My hope is that the league will take it on like they manage the GCP initiative. By all rights, they should. I don’t actually want to run this program, nor do I want you to. Right now, my goal is to gather support from all levels of hockey then approach those going up the ladder.”
“Understood. I would wager a guess that our entire team will help you by showing support, even if it doesn’t apply to them.”
When Ren hesitates, I ask, “Am I incorrect?”
He doesn’t answer for a minute. “I have a lot of support from my teammates.”
“But there are some who don’t want to support you,” I guess. My hackles instantly rise. I’m aware of the privilege I have as a white man, and though I’ve only gotten into very small discussions with Dasan—primarily Thanksgiving—being with someone who faces more challenges every single day because of the color of his skin isn’t lost on me. I know I don’t see it all. I’m not programmed to recognize it in the same way he is. But in a passing conversation, I know it’s there.
“There are in every setting, Coach,” Ren says, his usually smooth, calm voice no different with this comment than the last.
“Who?”
“I’m not asking for your support by singling people out. This might sound arrogant, but their lack of support doesn’t get in my way. I can still run circles around them on the ice. Iama better player than they are, and I know they’re just butt hurt because of it and would rather write off my position on this team as a diversity quota than admit that I’m a better player than they are.”
From that, I can wager a guess that these players aren’t on my starting line as Ren is. Noted. I’ll be watching far more closely.
“Coach, I don’t at all want you to call anyone out. That’s the opposite of my purpose. All I’m asking for is your verbal andphysical support when I’m ready to take this to management and the league.”
“You have it,” I assure him.
“And you’re not going to make a big deal with the team right now?”
I don’t answer.
“I’m not ready to go to management. There are still a few things I want to run by Dasan.”
My heart jumps. “Dasan?”
“Yeah. This was actually his idea, and I kind of jumped on it. I’ve been running thoughts by him. He’s a good sounding board, and his experience comes from being a person of color. An indigenous person. Mine comes from being the not-the-right-kind of white. From being Asian.”
“That’s all ridiculously disgusting.”
He chuckles. “I know, Coach.”
“Again, you have my support. Whatever you need. I’m happy to be there. Give me a way to support you. Whatever you need, Ren.”
“Okay, then I need for you to not call out someone on our team.”
I frown. “Why? Any kind of racism is not welcome in Winnipeg.”
“Understood, but until I brought this to your attention, it hasn’t been a problem. Correct?”
“You tell me. Has it been?”
His laughter is low. “It has not. There aren’t many on our team who view me, Dasan, or the others of the wrong whiteness or nonwhite as anything other than an equal teammate. Thus, it’s a non-issue.”
“At least until we get this off the ground,” I counter.
“Actually, I’m part of a protected class, so I’m protected from discrimination in my job regardless of how anyone on theteam feels. However, this isn’t about my rights as an employee. It’s about visibility, equality, and diversity on a bigger, broader, more obvious scale to the public. It’s about getting out there so that other people of the wrong whiteness or of color can see that there’s a place for us in pro sports—and everywhere—in the same way that the league is doing with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
“All beautifully said. This must be why you’re the spokesperson.”
I enjoy his quiet chuckle. “No. It’s because…” Ren trails off. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m innately a quiet person, but sometimes, being quiet doesn’t work when there’s a loud crowd who overpower your voice and the voices of those like you. It’s important that people like me, kids who look like me, know that they can be great at hockey too.”
“It is,” I agree. “And those who look like Dasan. Wiley. Everyone else.”
“Exactly.”
