Black Ice unpacks anti-Black racism within Canada’s favourite sport – The Varsity
On February 23, Innis College hosted a screening of the documentary black ice, in collaboration with the Faculty of Kinesiology and Sport (KPE) and the Cinema Studies Institute. The screening was followed by a discussion between director Hubert Davis and KPE professors Simon Darnell and Janelle Joseph.
black ice premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, won the People’s Choice Documentary Award and is available now on Crave. Davis previously explored the social and cultural impact of basketball in the Oscar-nominated documentary hardwood and in Giants of Africa. In black iceDavis turns to hockey with executive producers Drake and Lebron James.
After the viewing, Darnell, Joseph and Davis discussed the main themes of the film and how it connects to the real world.
“[Hockey] is an integral part of who we are,” Davis explained. “If we can talk about some of the problems in hockey, we can [can] have a chance to talk about some of the issues that are going on in the country.”
with impressive stories black ice highlights the challenges faced by black ice hockey players and ultimately exposes the systemic racism within the sport.
Historical posts
“When we look at history, we have to understand that black people’s experiences are often marginalized,” Davis explained. “[If] we can actually re-center these stories, then the story isn’t lost,” added Joseph.
looking into the past, black ice identifies the contributions of black hockey players that the hockey community has overlooked. The Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHL) pioneered both the slap shot and the rule allowing goaltenders to drop to the ice to deflect shots, and often these contributions go unacknowledged.
In addition, the documentary highlights the historical discrimination faced by black hockey players such as Herbert Carnegie, who is considered one of Canada’s top hockey players despite never having played in the NHL. In 1938, Conn Smythe, the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, stated that he would pay $10,000 for someone to white Carnegie, although he was clearly impressed with Carnegie’s abilities. In archival footage, Carnegie bursts into tears as she discusses the incident. He later founded the Future Aces Hockey School, the first hockey school in Canada. Carnegie’s contributions continue to be underestimated – he was only posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022.
“I accepted that [this history] wasn’t important because I wasn’t educated on it,” Davis said of the historical Black communities and individuals explored black ice. “Actually, I was pretty embarrassed [or] kinda ashamed… [that I] didn’t know that.”
However, by focusing on this story, black ice states that hockey’s diversity issues are not as complicated as many believe. “[I learned] Even after the end of the CHL we didn’t stop playing [hockey]. It’s always been part of our culture,” Davis said. So why hasn’t hockey embraced this community?
abuse and alienation
black ice highlights that racism persists in hockey and provides numerous visceral examples of racist abuse. Former Calgary Flames player Akim Aliu was given racial epithets by his coach Bill Peters. A teammate of Toronto Six’s Saroya Tinker berated her in her dressing room when she was 12. Some parents aimed monkey noises at Florida Panthers’ Anthony Duclair when he was 10. Wayne Simmonds of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild are among other hockey players who share similar stories.
Davis noted that the lack of accountability for the players involved in such incidents made it seem like the players had no allies in hockey. The lack of a support system led to a growing sense of alienation among black hockey players.
“Hockey culture is so strong and so team-oriented…beating the athletes not to speak out on these issues,” Darnell said. “Hockey culture doesn’t open up that space that easily at all.”
But during black ice successfully evoking emotions of anger and frustration, it also creates a greater sense of respect – these players never gave up, their love for hockey overpowered the hate they faced. “I thought that was interesting,” Davis mused. “The idea of loving something that doesn’t always love you.”
Canada game
With these stories black ice Stresses that racism directed at hockey players is evidence of a broader system of racism. Ice hockey is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of this country. Davis’ film not only exposes hockey’s systemic racism, but also shows how Canadian society has helped make it more pervasive. These problems cannot be ignored.
“Change in hockey will require a truly anti-racist approach,” Darnell suggested. This includes proposing proactive policies and approaches within hockey organizations that dismantle racial stereotypes and structures. For example, Kirk Brooks runs the Seasides Hockey program in Scarborough, which aims to make hockey more accessible to youth from all backgrounds. “You’re making this diversity thing too difficult,” Brooks said Black ice. “The NHL has been talking about diversity since 1993. They still don’t know what to do with it.”
Additionally, Darnell added, “What comes with anti-Black racism in hockey is the normativity of being white in hockey … Kids go through a hockey season and really just see other white kids.” black ice highlights the importance of increased representation to change existing racist structures and inspire others.
“Ensuring that everyone who is there is represented and is part of the storytelling [is important]said Joseph.[Then] we can change our idea of who a hockey player is.”
In addition, Joseph highlighted another approach to facilitating change – education. “A lot of us have heard those stories,” she explained. “But some people haven’t heard it, or not in a way that makes them feel like this is their problem.”
black ice ensures everyone is aware of the systemic racism that permeates hockey. If hockey is to survive in Canada’s increasingly diverse demographic, it shouldn’t belong to any one group—it should belong to everyone.