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Anthony Goes to Camp
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of Minnesota. He is both excited and nervous due to his experiences earlier that year of being Black and playing on a hockey team in the form of former rival Jason.
Hockey Is For Everybody
Anthony Goes to Camp
By Anthony Walsh
When we change the narrative, we change the perception. As African Americans, our gifts, talent, and abilities are unlimited. We have excelled in all fields. As authors and writers, we are changing the landscape, with the reminder that there is room at the table for everyone. That being said, I present to you the next installment in Anthony Walsh’s Hockey Is For Everybody series, Anthony Goes to Camp.
Our story opens with 12-year-old Anthony being driven by his parents and his brother Benjamin to hockey camp in Warroad, a town in the far northern portion
Before he meets the camp counselor with the other campers, Anthony is stereotyped by a strange kid. Later, the counselor tells the campers about the Hardest Worker Award, which Anthony wants to win and knowing he has to earn it. Though Jason has apologized for his actions, the strange kid at camp turns out to be Jason’s cousin Kai, who is quick with his dismissive, racist, verbal bullying of Anthony. Will Anthony’s hard work pay off? Will Anthony and Jason’s newfound friendship stand the test?
Reading Walsh’s book reminded me of the fact that children are not born into this world hating; that is something that has to be taught, as illustrated by Jason’s cousin Kai. In addition, we see an example of silence equals complicity, when Jason does nothing to stand up for Anthony when he is the target of Kai’s bullying, mean-spirited barbs.
No one likes a bully, and it’s worse when it’s a relative. At the end of the day, Walsh teaches valuable lessons of courage, teamwork, and inclusivity, that we are more alike than we are different.
Hockey Is For
Everybody: Anthony Goes to Camp is available through Amazon and Red Balloon Book Store. Thank you, Anthony, for continuing to create change in hearts and minds. Readers, stay tuned for the final installment of Hockey Is For Everybody!
