Why cant black people play hockey?

Question

Yet they can dominate at basketball?

Answer 1

Really, lighten up. I think the asker really meant why DON"T they play. I don't see anything racist about this at all.

Answer 2

FIRST OFF, this question is in NO way racist. Anyone who feels it is is moronic. I dont see why the topic of race is so contriversal.

The question was nothing more then Why do black people dominate basketball and not hockey. and by taking a look at the NBA and the NHL.. doesnt that seem to be the case? There is a handful of black players currently in the NHL, but there is not very many compared to other sports, and none of them are superstars.

First off, It is my strong opinion, whether you chose to listen to reason, or ignorantly ignore me.. that Black people are more athletic (*ON AVERAGE*) then every other race. However, also less intelligent (*ON AVERAGE*) then every other race. So that begins off why their is some variance in what races play which sports.

Next, Hockey is an expensive sport, and black people tend to make less money then white people (On Average). Where as Basketball only requires a Basketball...

Lastly, Races tend to gravitate towards eachother. And since every other black guy is into basketball, and since the NBA is dominated by their race, they can take pride in it .. especially living it a mostly white society. (example: Canadians like hockey, because were the best at it)...

Answer 3

I have had this conversation with black friends and coworkers a while back. Below are some of the things we came up with:

1) Hockey is a very expensive sport to play, making it out of reach for many black (and white) families. Equipment, ice time and travel will drain any family's budget. Sports like football, basketball, soccer, and baseball are much more affordable and therefore accessible.

2) Hockey is a niche sport in the US, and it doesn't get much exposure.

3) A large percentage of blacks in the US live in the south. As a resident of SC, I can attest to the fact that while the sport is growing, there are still very few rinks, leagues and teams in the south.

4) People of all races tend to follow their peers. Since there are so few black hockey players, young black athletes may shy away from hockey to avoid being the "only black player" on the team or in the league.

Answer 4

Cripes people. Lighten up. Free speech. Doesn't have to be construed as racist, everything is so PC. I don't see why anyone should be so offended, IMO that just breeds racism.

Why can't Canadians play soccer?
Yet they can dominate at hockey.

I guess you have to construe this as racist too? Against who? I'm Canadian...doesn't offend me, actually has some truth to it.

To answer your question. It is a Northern sport where there are less blacks and it is a cultural thing where less blacks take it up.

Also, there are a higher % of wealthy white families than black and hockey costs money, basketball doesn't.

Answer 5

Wow, that is kind of a silly question. Like those who answered before me pointed out, there are blacks who are playing in the NHL right now, and in the past. The first was in the mid 60's, Willie O'Ree, and Grant Fuhr is in the Hall of Fame (and not as a "token"!) Nobody has mentioned Jarome Iginla yet, he won an Art Ross trophy. I've played with and against a number of black hockey players, and I can tell you, some of those guys are really good. (Some of them sucked, but so do I.) The point is, of course they can play. If you mean why don't more blacks play hockey, my answer is: I don't know.

Answer 6

Didn't Jarome Iginla get the Rocket Richard trophy a few years ago and then get the cover of EA Sports hockey?

The real reason you don't see that many black players is because most of the players come from Canada or Europe. You shouldn't expect Northern Europeans to reflect American demographics. The Red Wings have 7 Swedes on the roster. I haven't been to Sweden but I am pretty sure most of them are lily-white.

Answer 7

Why can't white people play basketball?
yet they can dominate at hockey?

Answer 8

why can't white people play basketball?
the answer is that black people can play but the majority don't want to. it goes back to what some people have answered it's a demographic thing. there are some great black hockey players.

Answer 9

Black people can play hockey. I guess what is trying to be asked is, "Why are their not more black hockey players like their are black players in basketball?" Maybe less black people aspire to be NHL Players, and would rather be NBA players.

Answer 10

Nonsense! There are a number of black players in the NHL. Probably it will take them a while to establish a strong presence there, since there are fewer blacks than whites growing up in places where hockey players come from like Canada, Minnesota, etc. Keep your eye on Kevin Weeks!

Answer 11

Who says black people can't play hockey? Ther may not be as many in the NHL as there are in the NBA or NFL, but black people can play just as well as white people or purple people or what ever. Maybe you should have used a little different wording in your question.