Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron: ‘Silence is not an option for me anymore’
Now here’s how a leader needs to step up. Patrice Bergeron admits he usually keeps quiet, but not anymore. He released a heartfelt statement regarding the death of George Floyd and revealed he is donating a significant amount of money. Read his statement below:
As many of you know, I don’t have social media. Right or wrong I’ve often tried to stay away from making my opinions public. As hockey players, we have a tendency to do our business while staying quiet, without wanting to make too much noise. It is our culture. But surrounding the murder of George Floyd and the protests that followed, it made me realize that by not speaking up on the matter, and not using my voice as a professional athlete, it’s in fact allowing racism to fester and continue. Silence is not an option for me anymore.
I realize that I will never truly understand the fear, pain and suffering the black community has endured. As a white man I’ve always tried to live by respect and equality, but I also acknowledge my privileges. I am disappointed in myself that it took this long for me to truly open my eyes. Seeing all this pain truly breaks my heart and forces me to seek answers.
Today and going forward I want to listen, educate myself and stand up for the black community. We can not change the past, but we can certainly change the future. It is time to truly acknowledge this cry for help.
It needs to be more than a simple Instagram post. Let’s take real actions. With an open heart and compassion, I am determined to be an ally, continue to grow myself, and raise my children to be anti-racist.
