THURSDAY COMMENTARY – TOUGH TO BEAR
(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98 FM & Rock 98.5 FM)
IT’S BEEN AN INTERESTING WEEK FOR ETHAN BEAR.
THE 23-YEAR OLD EDMONTON OILERS DEFENCEMAN FROM OCHAPAWACE FIRST NATION FOUND HIMSELF THE TARGET OF RACIAL INSULTS AND, I’M SURE, THREATS AFTER WHAT WENT DOWN IN MONDAY’S GAME 4 AGAINST THE WINNIPEG JETS.
IF YOU WERE WATCHING THE GAME, WITH THE OILERS LEADING 3-2 MIDWAY THROUGH THE THIRD, FROM DEEP IN HIS OWN ZONE, ETHAN WHISTLED A PASS RIGHT UP THE MIDDLE. A CARDINAL SIN.
THE JETS INTERCEPTED IT, SCORED THE GAME-TYING GOAL, AND WENT ON TO WIN IN TRIPLE OVERTIME AND SWEEP THE SERIES.
ETHAN DIDN’T SEE THE ICE A TON AFTER THAT. IT WAS A MISTAKE BY A YOUNG DEFENCEMAN.
I WASN’T EVEN AWARE OF THE FUROR ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT FOLLOWED BECAUSE I’M PRETTY ADEPT AT AVOIDING THAT STUFF. HOWEVER WHEN ETHAN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND RELEASED A VIDEO THROUGH THE OILERS ON WEDNESDAY SAYING HE’S FINALLY STANDING UP TO THE RACISM, IT MADE HEADLINES ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
FRANKLY IT WAS A BOLDER STANCE THAN I’D HAVE EVER SUGGESTED. MOST PEOPLE SIMPLY WISH RACISM WOULD GO AWAY AND BEG PEOPLE TO CHANGE. HOWEVER THAT IS A WASTE OF TIME. PEOPLE WON’T CHANGE UNLESS THEY ACTUALLY WANT TO.
I DEAL WITH SCORES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND WE TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE HARRASSMENT OURSELVES AND REALIZE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RACISTS, THE BULLIES AND THE HATERS, NOT US.
I’VE NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD RACISM IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE MOST HORRIBLE PEOPLE I KNOW ARE WHITE AND STRAIGHT. WHAT DOES COLOUR, GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?
BUT ETHAN WASN’T SATISFIED WITH THAT. HE’S TACKLING THE RACISM HEAD ON WHICH PROBABLY IS THE BETTER WAY TO GO.
HE’S BEEN DEALING WITH RACISM SINCE THE FIRST DAY HE SET ONE FOOT OFF THE OCHAP RESERVE. HIS COACHES TELL ME ON THOSE SUMMER CLUB TEAMS THAT ETHAN WAS ALWAYS THE NICEST, SMARTEST KID. I CAN TELL YOU HE STILL IS.
ETHAN BEAR HAS A VOICE AND HE’S USING IT. I COULDN’T BE MORE PROUD.
THAT’S TODAY’S ROD PEDERSEN COMMENTARY
Thank you! Mr.Rod Pedersen, well said.
Ethan Bear – this young man will be okay, with the support of his family, his community and society at large. Ethan Bear’s commitment to leadership and action will prevail.
Thank you once again Mr.Pedersen for your message and support.
Sincerely,
E.G.Anaquod
Muscowpetung F.N.
80/80A/80B.
Saskatchewan, Canada.
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