Organizer of Black Lives Matter kickball charity in Shiloh faced racism in his own sport
The first time Terrance Puribhat remembers experiencing racism was when he was 10 years old.
Puribhat, a Black man, has played hockey since he was a kid. Most hockey players are white.
“Throughout my career playing hockey, I’ve always faced racism,” he said. “Other teams always have called me the N-word.”
Puribhat is 20 years old now and said it is getting better. He’s a student athlete at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville today after graduating from Belleville East High School.
“I’m just trying to get past it the best I can and hope that we do it through talking … I hope everyone can join the conversation and just talk about it in a powerful and peaceful way,” Puribhat said.
Puribhat organized a charity kickball tournament that took place on Saturday at a Shiloh park to help people from the metro-east get involved in the ongoing national conversation about racism. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Black Lives Matter organization.
Protests have been held across the nation, including in southwestern Illinois communities, in response to George Floyd’s death. Floyd, a Black man, died on Memorial Day after a Minneapolis police officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than 8 minutes.
Puribhat said he hoped kickball would bring out people who haven’t attended protests in the past. The tournament might have been “more in their comfort zone,” he said.
It might have also eased their fears of catching the coronavirus while protesting racism during the pandemic. The tournament was 8 hours long, with games spread out to reduce the number of people gathering at one time and with players physically spread out in the field during games.
Each player paid $5 to participate. Snacks and water were for sale. Puribhat estimated the event raised at least $700 by 3 p.m. Saturday between the 100 participants and other donors and the food sales.
“I’m just really happy that we had this many people,” he said. “... I hope it’s encouraged people to donate more and maybe set up their own things.”
This story was originally published July 11, 2020 at 7:11 PM.
