While it’s not unheard of for the Deep Heart Hockey podcast to take a week off (sorry about that), usually it’s unintentional. This week, given the historic athletes’ strike begun with the NBA and WNBA, we thought it was better to keep our opinions to ourselves and boost other voices in support of the anti-racist movement and Black Lives Matter.
So instead of a podcast this week, here are a collection of resources for you to peruse. This list is by no means exhaustive, and you’re welcome to add your own recs in the comments, as long as they center the voices of POC. We also wanted to keep this list hockey themed. There are some excellent (and far more thorough) lists of anti-racist reading compiled already.
Donate to/Support:
Renee Hess has been on the forefront of fighting racism in hockey. The BGHC also pulls together scholarships for Black women to play hockey, and is a major force for continuing anti-racist education in hockey. They can always use donations to further this mission.
Listen to:
Let’s Do That Hockey Podcast: “Cancel Couture and the NBA Boycott”
Started by Chris Watkins (friend of the pod), this episode in particular gives excellent perspective on the recent strike and Logan Couture’s dumb ass.
Burn it All Down is an intersectional feminist podcast about sports! Several of your favorite female hockey writers (such as Erica Ayala and Jashvina Shah) have contributed to episodes.
To Read:
Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes by George and Darril Fosty (book – link goes to amazon, but please check your local stores and libraries!)
Why True Change in Hockey Depends on Listening to Black Women by Sonny Sachdeva (sportsnet long read)
Racial Bias in Drafting and Development: The NHL’s Black Quarterback Problem by Chris Watkins
Why I’m Both Encouraged and Discouraged by NHLers Taking a Stand by Chris Watkins
Racism and the Slow Uptake of the NHL by Achariya Rezak
And one that’s particularly poignant given the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman:
What if Wakanda had a Hockey Team? by Chris Watkins (from 2018)