COLUMN: Anthony Duclair, Respectability Politics and the NHL’s Appearance Rules

Anthony Duclair with his beard and locs (L) and him clean-shaven (R) (Photo Credits: ESPN and @NYIslanders/X). I remember being in New York Islanders winger Anthony Duclair’s shoes, knowing that I had to alter my appearance so I wouldn’t upset white people who wanted me and others to assimilate to their rules regarding Respectability Politics. During my senior year of college, I had cornrows. I knew I was about to graduate and enter a system that prefers people to have a clean-cut appearance. I cut my hair.& I knew the game was rigged. However, I wanted to find a job like Duclair did.& After signing a free-agent deal with the New York Islanders, he posted a photo of his recently cut locs on Instagram.& Some folks said Duclair, a former All-Star, was forced to succumb to archaic and outdated rules created by Islanders general manager and president of hockey operations Lou Lamoriello’s team policy regarding hairstyles.& Others say Duclair knew the rules before signing with the team, citing instances of players who had to alter their looks to be on the team. According to TSN’s Gord Miller, “Lou’s Rules” consists of: No facial hair (except the in playoffs) No long...