I am Big

In terms of physical development, most young people between the ages of 9 and 12 experience a growth spurt that involves significant weight gain and muscle growth. Unfortunately, these changes do not occur at the same rates amongst the members of this age group, with some children being early developers and others late developers. In the case of the nine-year-old hockey playing boy in I Am Big, he’s a member of the former developmental cohort, and he finds himself being judged negatively because of his size and strength. When he uses his newfound size and strength to his hockey advantage when playing against, smaller but same age opponents, their parents do not see his age – just that he is bigger, and they shout at him.

“Hey you! Don’t crush my son.”
“Look at his size, he’s dangerous.”

“Coach, remove that bully.”

They also see that he is “a big Black boy.”

As the boy carries the puck down the ice towards the opposition goalie, he wonders how some earlier Black NHL players, like P. K. Subban and Joel Ward, “How did you make big cool?”

As the boy approaches the goal, he observes that the goaltender, “He is bigger”, but

He does not see a bully.

He sees big style and big skill.

He sees ME!

About to shoot, the boy recalls “Willie O’Ree who came before me”, and then he scores the winning goal.

The arena erupts and in that moment I feel truly beautiful.

I AM BIG AND BLACK!

Sadu’s message of judging people on their merits and not on their size or race is a valuable one, but parts of the text may go over the heads of the intended audience who also may need to do some additional research on the three Black NHL players cited in the text to understand their significance to the story.