February is Black history month in the NHL, a month to celebrate the achievements of the dark-skinned in the league.
But now the NHL is being criticized by the Hockey Diversity Alliance, HDA, for not doing enough meaningful action to get rid of the systematic racism that exists.
- It is such a thing that if you do not acknowledge that it is a problem, there is no way to solve it, says Akim Aliu.
He estimates that there will be 20-25 dark-skinned players in the NHL this season, and that there are about 95 percent whites in the league.
- There are still owners in the league who do not believe that it is a problem.
To me, it is completely inconceivable.
95 percent of your league is white and you do not see that there is a problem with ethnicity.
"Have an answer but no solution"
Akim Aliu is also critical of the fact that the league has answers to a lot, but that not much is actually done about it.
- It just seems that for every problem they have an answer but no solution and do not want to work with us (HDA) to create a solution.
I think the league does more performative things than actual changes.
Aliu believes it is important that more dark-skinned people get important roles in organizations, not just on the ice.
- Young people not only need to see themselves as NHL players but also need to see themselves as assistant coaches, referees, head coaches and high-ranking members of the organization.
The NHL has chosen not to respond to the criticism.