Login

GCool · 01-21-2017, 04:38 PM

SHL Players Tribune presents...

<div align="center">What America Means To Me
by Danny Foster of the Hamilton Steelhawks</div>

Remember when you were in grade school and you had to practice writing all the time? Sometimes it was for no reason at all. Just to practice grammar, punctuation, explaining "why", presenting a counterpoint, etc. It was always such a shitty assignment, too. It was never about what you were writing, just how you were writing it. And I swear teachers just relished marking off points for starting sentences with conjunctions, or ending them with prepositions. They never told us that nobody fucking cares after grade school.

There was one assignment I always liked, though. A few times during my schooling, I remember being asked what being an American (or what America, in general ambiguity) "means" to me. I remember (but it's fuzzy) the first time I heard that question and how confusing it was. I went home and asked my parents what America should mean to me. Both answers were something really cliche, like, "Being an American is about freedom!" or "America is about endless opportunity!". Is it really, though? Is it about doing anything you want, or thinking you have access to everything to make your dream come true? It can't be all about everyone all the time, can it?

I'm better at recalling this same assignment in the seventh grade. I was just starting to grow--in height as well as general aggression. I wasn't an angry kid, but my fuse was short. Not much has changed.

I got up to the podium and started reading my paper aloud. Of course I'm approximating, but do you really want this to be written in that perspective?:

"America is a great country. Everyone can go to school and get good jobs if they work hard enough. Everybody has a fair chance to succeed and achieve their American dream."

When I finished that sentence, one of my classmates--an African American kid--interjected:

"No we don't! Since you're a white kid and have good parents, you have a fair chance. I don't get one of those because of the color of my skin. Being American only means being a White American."

There was silence in the classroom. My teacher was waiting for me to respond, because our class was all about debate and sharing opinions in a nice way and lots of other Dept. of Education state-mandated bullshit.

"Let me finish," I said. I was staying reserved. More nervous than angry or anything.

"Why should I let you finish?" He was raising his voice. "White people don't let black people finish. They don't let black people do anything without questions about why."

"Well, why?"

"Because that's how it's always been!"

"But ... why?"

"Because white people HATE black people!"

"I don't hate you. Let me finish."

My classmate realized then that he wasn't going anywhere in the discussion for a while. He let me finish.

"Sometimes, Americans get caught up in their dreams. They think their version of America is the best and nobody can tell them what's wrong. That's not true. Some people are wrong because America is free for everybody, and if their beliefs harm others for ANY reason, it's not part of the American way.

"So what does America mean to me? It means being free, but it also means being smart and capable and inclusive. It means knowing when you're wrong and stepping aside so somebody else can chase their dreams too. It means not caring about someone's upbringing and respecting them because they're here with you fighting the same fight. It means helping people achieve their goals when they are less fortunate, or even when you know they'd be better than you if they had the same opportunity. It means doing what YOU think is right.

Thank you."

I looked up and a lot of the class was in shock. Nobody went that route with their paper. It was all "America means 4th of July parties" or "America means running your own business". I guess that's what I got for having a dad who's a sociology professor at Tulane. I made eye contact with my one classmate as I sat down, and he nodded. I nodded back.

When Joe Kurczewski asked me last season if I'd sit out to make room for a better, albeit aging person on the roster, I said "hell fucking yes". When I did, I was reminded of this day in grade school. Being part of the American squad isn't about scoring all the goals or dishing out hits (although in my case, that will actually be my job on the ice). Being part of the American squad - representing my country out there on the international stage - is about sacrifice when it's necessary. It's about paving the way for other Americans to get theirs as well. It's about doing everything in my power to bring that gold medal back. Again.

People tend to doubt me because I'm unassuming. It's not until they have their jersey wrapped around my left hand that they take me seriously. SHL fans thought I'd be a pure goon; then I scored 29 points. That kid in class thought I'd be a naive racist; I got a nod from him after my speech. Most IIHF publications are laughing at the idea of me replacing Chuck Goody ever, much less in my rookie season. I can't wait to prove them fucking wrong. Again.

Because that's what America means to me.

ToeDragon84 · 01-21-2017, 04:46 PM

[Image: 61a365b0710b8d9c6b0958ca1b97ac0b.jpg]

crutch · 01-21-2017, 04:47 PM

Merica · 01-21-2017, 04:49 PM

tweedlebrumm · 01-21-2017, 05:12 PM

This message has been brought to you by White Privilege.

GCool · 01-21-2017, 05:14 PM

Quote:Originally posted by probablydrunk@Jan 21 2017, 03:12 PM
This message has been brought to you by White Privilege.

I should commit seppuku out of empathy.

tweedlebrumm · 01-21-2017, 05:16 PM

Quote:Originally posted by GCool@Jan 21 2017, 01:14 PM

I should commit seppuku out of empathy.

p much

Slappydoodle · 01-21-2017, 10:41 PM

[Image: tumblr_inline_mkucbv7tUX1qz4rgp.gif]

***JKortesi81*** · 01-22-2017, 03:37 AM

I love you.

Muerto · 01-22-2017, 03:44 AM

InciteHysteria · 01-22-2017, 04:40 AM

Great read man. I loved it.

But since coming to America, Poor old Timo Haas hasn't been able to fight even once. Will you help me fulfill my dreams, my friend?

SparkyOG · 01-22-2017, 12:33 PM

Quote:Originally posted by InciteHysteria@Jan 22 2017, 08:40 AM
Great read man. I loved it.

But since coming to America, Poor old Timo Haas hasn't been able to fight even once. Will you help me fulfill my dreams, my friend?

A good old sparring match with Vincent Garland will be nice

Nereus · 01-22-2017, 02:04 PM

PROOOOOTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Bonk · 01-22-2017, 10:39 PM

[Image: lifebuzz-effa3821470741c5ddb1afa775e598eb-original.gif]

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us