Video aims to tackle racism in Manitoba sports
A new video is taking aim at a pervasive problem in sports.
Several prominent Winnipeg athletes, coaches and officials shared their experiences to show the impacts of racism and to stop it from happening.
As a curler, Shawna Joynt medalled at the Canadian Deaf Games held in Winnipeg in 2018. She said because she’s hard of hearing and Indigenous her participation in sport has meant breaking down barriers.
“Trying to make sure I understand to hear properly and I wasn’t given a lot of the opportunity to play because of my skin colour,” Joynt said.
It’s why Joynt, who is now vice president of the Manitoba Deaf Sports Association, shared her experience in the video aimed at demonstrating and eliminating racism in sport.
The video, which was released by the Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign features Andrew Jean-Baptiste of the Winnipeg Valour FC, retired Winnipeg Blue Bomber Obby Khan, volleyball Olympian Wanda Guenette and many other Manitoba athletes, coaches and officials.
Gololcha Boru, a project consultant for the Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign, said recurring incidents of racism in sport prompted the campaign to help ensure the safety of youth participants.
“It’s pervasive and hopefully this campaign can shine a light on it and maybe we can reckon with racism within sport,” Boru said.
The Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign is also working on releasing a research component to highlight how often incidents of racism are occurring in sports throughout the province.
It’s an issue which is still fresh in the mind of parent Roger Brightnose.
His 16-year-old son Keagan had opposing fans and players direct racist remarks towards him at a high school hockey game in Swan River Oct. 31.
Brightnose hopes the release of the video creates more awareness.
“It’s a really good feeling that they’re reaching out to other athletes as well, such as our son Keagan, who’ve experienced this type of behaviour,” Brightnose said.
Joynt, who has two teenage sons of her own participating in sport, is now seeing the issue as a parent and team manager.
“I don’t tolerate that kind of stuff and I get involved and we discuss about this and I make it clear to a lot of the coaches — how would that make you feel if that was your kid going through that,” Joynt said.
She hopes sharing her experience will help demonstrate all people, regardless of their background, have an equal right to play.
The campaign is visiting schools and will also offer anti-racism training opportunities for provincial sport organizations, community centres as well as parents and officials.
You can watch the full video here:
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.