Zach Hyman, a Jewish Canadian, addresses the swastikas, Nazi flags being worn and waived in Ottawa
It has been a troubling week for former Toronto Maple Leafs winger and current Edmonton Oiler Zach Hyman after some of his friends and family members took to social media and shared photos that depicted the ugly side of history and the antisemitism and hatred that still exists in today's world.
Hyman and his new squad were in our Nation's Capitol this weekend to take on the Ottawa Senators, when he came upon the photos being shared. It showed that there is far more to the "Freedom Convoy" than just vaccine mandates. Photos of Nazi flags and people wearing swastikas were unsettling and upsetting to Hyman and countless others just like him who are proud of their Jewish heritage and who are struggling with seeing what has been unfolding of late.
During an interview with The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman, Hyman shared his disappointment with what has unfolded across the country and at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The main message that Hyman had hoped to send was that this type of behaviour is abhorrent and unacceptable in today's society.
«It's disturbing and disheartening to see that antisemitism is on the rise, unfortunately, which is crazy nowadays. Seeing that and being Jewish and being proud of my heritage � and it was just Holocaust Memorial Day a couple days ago � and it was right around the time the swastikas were up.
«Hopefully, I can bring awareness that things like that aren't OK. It was just disturbing to see that," said Hyman.
What we have seen, especially lately, involving the BIPOC community and players of colour being targeted with acts of racism on the ice goes to show that this is a real problem that still exists and that we, as a society, have not come as far as we think we have in terms of inclusivity, diversity and acceptance. This sort of behaviour is beyond disappointing - especially in a cultural melting pot like Canada. Hyman wanted to highlight that as well.
«The Jewish community, the Black community, the Muslim community, all different minorities � it's easy to target people who are different in some way. Whether it's the colour of your skin or your religion or your gender or your sexual orientation we should be at a point in life and society where you can be whatever you want to be, and feel free to do that.
«When you see flags that symbolize the opposite � of hatred � it's disturbing. We need more awareness and more education.»
Good on Hyman for speaking out, and as difficult as it must have been for him to endure what he has had to endure when exposed to those types of images, his words certainly carry some weight, especially in the hockey community. It's just unfortunate that we're having these conversations in 2022. The level of racism, prejudice, homophobia, xenophobia that still exists.. these are some of the worst parts of humanity. We can and should do better.
