Willie O’Ree The first player to break hockey’s color barrier at the NHL – Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
*When first approached about “Black Ice” (directed by Hubert Davis), I said I was weary of stories about racists unless it was about them being tarred and feathered, putting it mildly.
But “Black Ice” is no ordinary recounting of pervasive racism. This riveting story of racism consuming the Colored Hockey League (CHL) that pioneered the fundamentals of the game, is enlightening.
The film explores the deep roots of the sport that date back to 1865. Eddie Martin invented the slap shot and the CHL was the first league to allow goalies to go down on the ice to make saves, long before their white counterparts. Unfortunately, they never received the credit they deserved.
In addition to not getting credit for their accomplishments, the players were bullied and constantly had racist epithets hurled at them, including the word “monkey.”
Renowned Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said it best when he responded to racists who compare Black people to monkeys. He explained why white people look more like monkeys than Black people.
P.K. Subban is one of the biggest names in hockey. – Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
Akim Aliu – Former NHL player, and founder of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. – Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
Sarah Nurse, Professional Hockey Player – Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
The captivating story of “Black Ice” also delves into the history of Africville, a Black community outside Halifax, Nova Scotia, which was razed amid protests in the 1960s. Of course, Africville brings to mind the U.S. story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa, Oklahoma race riot.
That flourishing town, with the approval of the government, was destroyed. More than three hundred people were killed, and at least eight hundred were injured.
Director of BLACK ICE Hubert Davis Courtesy of Roadside Attractions
In an exclusive interview with director Hubert Davis, we talked about the importance of “Black Ice.”
Hubert, what was it about ‘Black Ice’ that spoke to you?
HUBERT DAVIS: I thought it was an interesting way to talk about some of the issues that, it’s funny, you mentioned. Doing a documentary on systemic racism, to me, was engaging. But, finding a way in through the love of something like hockey and having these players coming out and telling their stories of the Black experience was important.
This story is chock-full of historical events. Do you see it as a part of Black History?
HD: Yes, I didn’t realize the influence of the Black contribution to hockey at the very beginning. We’re talking 1895. That really blew me away. I think it’s so important you see yourself in history. We’re not on the periphery of history, but we are the main contributors to the very fabric of what makes up history. And so, I’ll continue to fight the fight, as I’m sure many of us are, of trying to continue to keep those stories out there.
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“Black Ice” premiers exclusively in AMC Theaters starting July 14. Click here for more info and showtimes.
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