The Only Black Athlete on my Field Hockey Team

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The Only Black Athlete on my Field Hockey Team For many years, the hockey team was a preserve of the white players before John, a player of African ancestry, joined the team. First, it seemed unusual to have a black player playing alongside the white. Second, we live in a country plagued with racism, underscoring the challenges a racially mixed team can face (Colbert, 2020). I thought to myself, how other players would handle John. Will they show and sense of discrimination against him, and if yes, what would be the implication. It was also the time to watch our language to avoid racially insensitive words that could upset John.

The first time John arrived at our training ground to start on a chilly morning of the 2nd of February, a cold mood took over. One would see it from the faces of the team members that there was some shock because of the arrival of a black athlete in the team. Although the training ground is built to offer aesthetic value, this value seems to have sublimed on that very morning until the introductions were properly done. The team manager introduced John as a new signing who is greatly talented and would add more value to the squad. Unfortunately, the introduction did some little magic in neutralizing the dull mood that had befallen the training ground.

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John was of medium height, compact, and social. One would not get bored staying closer to him because of the amiable character that helped him quickly settle within the team. During the training and matches, John worked hard to ensure that he was fit. He collaborated well with his colleagues and coach, earning himself respect within the team. He had a deep tone that made him even more unique. John would entertain the team with songs during free time, leveraging his euphonious voice to create a soothing effect.

The hockey team is mainly made of the young, creating a monoculture of youthfulness.

The team members often crack jokes and engage in antics typical to their age. Team members fancied events such as nature walks and swimming. These events helped them to create social bonds and become a strong family. John loved such activities because they gave him an opportunity to showcase his talent in singing and entertainment. In the long run, two other team members, Tim and Krul, joined him in singing, creating a small music club. Krul was a guitarist; he would play the guitar as John sang. Consequently, the only black athlete in the team did bring in diversity and helped members discover new opportunities and talents.

In summary, John brought a new taste to my hockey team by introducing a multiracial face that presented opportunities and challenges to the management. Managing racial relations in a society where racism is an endemic issue can be challenging. However, John's character helped him easily settle within the team and create a strong bonding with the rest of the team members, overshadowing his race. Professionalism helps individuals to overlook racial differences. Issues of racism can be avoided if players and other stakeholders focus on the capabilities of individuals rather than focusing on the color of skin to judge someone’s capabilities.

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Reference Colbert, B. (2020). The only black girls in town. Little, Brown and Company.