Wanted to add two other things Benjamin said, because they're important, and the first one definitely applies to hockey:
"Probably the most uncomfortable realization that especially white men have to come to is to give up power and control over things, whether it’s control over the conversation, or control in terms of what position they assume in whatever institution or company they’re involved in, to really give up that position in power. That is a very difficult and uncomfortable challenge for people who hold power in the first place. How does that apply to myself? Certainly if I’m going to be helpful in this, it’s not going to be because I’m taking the lead and placing myself as the leader of some kind of movement or leader of change. It’s because I’m going to be in support of the leaders of the change. I’m going to be as much of a resource as possible without assuming control either over the narrative or over the physical movement itself. The term allyship gets thrown around a lot, and what does it mean? Probably some of the most important elements of allyship are not centering the conversation around yourself and not placing yourself at the lead, and instead being a good support, being understanding, not getting on the defensive and using your baggage about what’s happening to become a distraction to the real purpose and the real focus of what people are trying to do.”
"The greatest nationwide body we have for systemic change comes in the form of our Fair Housing Councils, scattered across all the metropolitan areas of our country. They investigate and address racism in the application process, and while some focus on rental/real estate applications, many go beyond and look at the application processes for loans, financing and employment. They receive government funding through the Fair Housing Act, but they need to continually receive additional support to function efficiently, whether it's through donations or participants for their testing of organizations/companies. Find your local Fair Housing Council, and spread the word about their importance. Invite them to talk to your schools, your work; help them work for us, and signal to racism that it can't hide behind radio silence and rejected applications."
Bill West2 hr
Wanted to add two other things Benjamin said, because they're important, and the first one definitely applies to hockey:
"Probably the most uncomfortable realization that especially white men have to come to is to give up power and control over things, whether it’s control over the conversation, or control in terms of what position they assume in whatever institution or company they’re involved in, to really give up that position in power. That is a very difficult and uncomfortable challenge for people who hold power in the first place. How does that apply to myself? Certainly if I’m going to be helpful in this, it’s not going to be because I’m taking the lead and placing myself as the leader of some kind of movement or leader of change. It’s because I’m going to be in support of the leaders of the change. I’m going to be as much of a resource as possible without assuming control either over the narrative or over the physical movement itself. The term allyship gets thrown around a lot, and what does it mean? Probably some of the most important elements of allyship are not centering the conversation around yourself and not placing yourself at the lead, and instead being a good support, being understanding, not getting on the defensive and using your baggage about what’s happening to become a distraction to the real purpose and the real focus of what people are trying to do.”
"The greatest nationwide body we have for systemic change comes in the form of our Fair Housing Councils, scattered across all the metropolitan areas of our country. They investigate and address racism in the application process, and while some focus on rental/real estate applications, many go beyond and look at the application processes for loans, financing and employment. They receive government funding through the Fair Housing Act, but they need to continually receive additional support to function efficiently, whether it's through donations or participants for their testing of organizations/companies. Find your local Fair Housing Council, and spread the word about their importance. Invite them to talk to your schools, your work; help them work for us, and signal to racism that it can't hide behind radio silence and rejected applications."
This man contains a thousand lifetimes of wisdom.