The National Hockey League is a long-established organization in North America. The NHL is becoming a more ethnically diverse sport and its recent growth has brought forth concerns about racial tensions and clashes within the sport. Historically, the NHL has had a majority of white players, but in recent years there has been an increase in other ethnic groups, and with that, an increase in racism. Secondly, many hockey players tend to accept this racism as a part of the game. However steps hare being taken to eliminate racial slurs and to encourage the acceptance of ethnic diversity. With the increase of non-white players in the NHL, the incidents of racism have also increased and the league is now making moves to reduce and end this unfortunate reality in the game.

In the past , the NHL has been dominated by white players, but ethnic diversity is now increasing. In the first 71 years, there were only 10 African-American players in the NHL. This year alone there are 10, plus 6 North American natives("Racial Slurs",1997). In the NFL, 60% of the players are black,compared to 80% in the NBA("Crossing the Blue Line" , 1999). The NHL sees this lack of black hockey players as a pr

In the NHL today, many players and fans tend to accept racism as a reality of the game. For certain players who play the sport, taunting is perceived as part of the game. The hockey sub-culture is unique. It is a sport that encourages fighting as part of the game. It acknowledges that emotions can and will erupt. Where there are tough players, there is tough talk. Ethnic slurs have been commonplace in the NHL for nearly a century("Racial

Grant Fuhr and Willie O'Ree were the few black players who could be considered role models. Willie O'Ree was the first black player in NHL history(Allen, 1998, p3C). Willie O'Ree is the director of the NHL's Diversity Task Force("Diversity Task Force",2000).O'Ree and the NHL are working toward increasing opportunities for non-Causasian children with various programs("Racial Slurs",1997). Through these programs the Diversity Task Force in conjunction with USA hockey provide a not-for-profit program designed to introduce children of diverse ethnic backgrounds to the game of hockey. The web site states that "The program's mission is to assist and enable local youth hockey programs to teach hockey, and other life skills, to economically disadvantaged children, creating a fun experience for boys and girls of all age levels." ("Diversity Task Force", 2000) The task force is aimed at giving underprivileged children the chance to experience the game of hockey("Diversity Task Force"!

The problem of racism in the NHL, for the people who watch hockey or the people who are involved in it, will always be an issue. Ethnic groups have now entered the NHL in grater numbers and the racial tensions have continued to exist. The cause of this racism may be the result of ignorance by the players and the personnel within the NHL. The league has created programs to increase the following of hockey within the non-white population and they have taken firmer steps in punishing incidents of racism. Until these programs start producing players, the NHL is going to continue to have problems with racial discriminatio

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