Briefly on jersey boycotts: Philosophical comments
Photo: Capture from ESPN
Citations in italics
Philosophically, I suppose that in regards to job security and job harmony, there can be a pragmatic debate on whether or not each player should agree to wear each and every themed uniform in the warmups.
Ivan Provorov's actions show league not 'safe environment' for players to come out, agent Bayne Pettinger says
I am not a hockey insider and so I cannot reasonably opine on this point from the agent. However, within society, overall, I do not think that one player's boycott in this context, creates an unsafe environment for those within the LGBTQ+ community. Clearly the LGBTQ+ community has significant societal support in 2023 within the western world. Especially from within government, the media, academia and the corporate world.
A hockey agent says an NHL player's refusal to take part in his team's LGBTQ+ Pride Night warmup is an indication that more work needs to be done to make the sport more inclusive.
To the agent...
Sir, the western world is still at this point a democracy. There is never 100% public (or private) agreement on any issue. Public agreement should not be socially forced or coerced, as long as legally, reasonably, law and order is maintained within a democracy. In the west, we can eventually, favour forms of tyranny and dictatorship and make it seem like everyone agrees on every key societal issue, at least. But this will just force real disagreement into forms of silence. It will not eliminate all disagreement.
Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov did not participate in pre-game warmups Tuesday night when the team wore Pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape.
He cited his Russian Orthodox religion as the reason.
"I respect everybody's choices," Provorov said after the game. "My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That's all I'm going to say."' '
Again, in regards to job security and job harmony, pragmatically, I will state that there can be a philosophical, ethical debate on whether or not each player should agree to wear each and every themed uniform in the warmups. However, I think this player has every right to hold to his Russian Orthodox religious views. His views which do not personally support the Pride event, also do not prohibit the event from occurring, whatsoever. As well, public support for the event still exists.
'Bayne Pettinger, a Toronto-based NHLPA certified player agent who came out as gay in 2020, said he was disappointed by Provorov's decision to use his platform for "essentially a protest" that sends a message to hockey fans and his teammates who did take part in the warmup.
"[It] just says that, 'Hey, it's making it about me,'" Pettinger told CBC's All Points West. "I found it selfish and frankly disrespectful towards the the gay community."
The player has the right to be concerned with self, as we all do, within the context of a democracy and within reasonable law and order. The issue is also about the player's rights and freedoms. In a democracy the player should not have to agree with every idea and political cause that the agent, or anyone else holds to.
Pettinger agrees that more conversations are needed.
"I'm a strong believer that no one is born to hate another group or religion or race, that's taught," he said.
"We can't put ourselves in Provorov's shoes of how he was raised and his beliefs. We can only try to educate and humanize."
Sir, I do not personally hold to Russian Orthodoxy, Greek Orthodoxy, or any form of Eastern Orthodoxy. However, I have studied Orthodoxy, especially through the use of...
To the agent...
More conversations?
Are these somewhat at least, open-minded conversations, or are these actually desired indoctrinations into your way of thinking?
There is nothing in what the hockey player did to suggest 'hate', whatsoever. What exists is a worldview difference in regards to him publicly wearing a Pride uniform in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Sir, since you disagree with this player's stance. Does this therefore mean you hate Russian Orthodoxy? Do you hate his worldview?
Reason actually tells us that differing views on an issue, including this issue, and different worldviews, do not necessarily imply or indicate 'hate', by either side.
Why is it not simply reasonable to disagree on an issue?
Educate?
Alright, let us become more educated...
Sir, are you educated in the beliefs of Russian Orthodoxy? We in the west, see LGBTQ+ education all around us.
Does Orthodoxy have any philosophical, intellectual merit? Can you opine with knowledge? Has the player simply been raised with these beliefs, or has he actually researched them? Is his understanding reasonable?
Again, I am not an adherent of any form of Eastern Orthodoxy, but although I have a biblical Christian worldview within the Reformed Christian tradition; I certainly do not assume that those within Russian Orthodoxy, by default, dehumanize outsiders.
In this case, the hockey player expressed his Russian Orthodox religion as the reason for non-support of the Pride jersey.
"I respect everybody's choices," Provorov said after the game. "My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That's all I'm going to say."' '
The player showed respect for a different view and worldview, although within disagreement. This is not hatred. This is not dehumanizing, whatsoever.
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers coach John Tortorella defended Russian defenseman Ivan Provorov's decision to cite religious beliefs as his reason to boycott the team's pregame Pride celebration.
"Provy did nothing wrong," Tortorella said Thursday. "Just because you don't agree with his decision doesn't mean he did anything wrong."
Well-stated...
