Freedom to Choose
In NRO, Jay Nordlinger tackles a social-political matter by way of hockey. Thanks to an initiative the NHL calls “Hockey Is for everyone,” the Philadelphia Flyers have an annual “Pride Night.” It is meant to support gay rights.
Mr. Nordlinger’s intention is to write about social-political matters, through hockey.
On the night in question this year, Flyers sported rainbow colors during warmups: They wore rainbow-colored jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow-colored tape.
Declining to participate was Ivan Provorov. “I respect everybody, and I respect everybody’s choices,” he said. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”
The Flyers’ coach, John Tortorella, backed him. And the NHL issued this statement: “Clubs decide whom to celebrate, when and how — with League counsel and support. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”
Read more here.
The pressure to conform starts early, continues Jay Nordlinger:
Sounds about right to me — although we should always beware the coercive, in the guise of the voluntary.
The pressure to conform starts early. Kindergarten, right? Pre-school? And it continues right on through adulthood (trust me). Sometimes conformance is right. And sometimes . . .
Anyway, big subject.
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