So Ted Williams has a tunnel named after him, Bobby Orr has a statue outside the Boston Garden, but Bill Russell has NOTHING?
Boston.....Boston....Boston.....
So I am driving in my car today, and I hear that they are dedicating a statute to Bobby Orr, the great Boston Bruins Hall of Famer, outside of the Boston Garden. The statue depicts the famous photo of Bobby, leaping in the air in elation after scoring the winning goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals against the St. Louis Blues. That photo, and moment, is iconic in New England, and Mr. Orr is certainly deserving of his statue outside of the Boston Garden where he had so many great moments (well, it's the "New" Garden now, but let's not get caught up in the details). I have no problem with celebrating him. However this moment brings up one glaring omission here in the city of Boston.
WHERE THE HELL IS THE LOVE FOR BILL RUSSELL????
So in the city of Boston, Ted Williams, the Red Sox legend (who never won a damn thing, by the way) has a Tunnel named after him and a statue outside Fenway Park. Bobby Orr has a statue in his honor. Red Auerbach has a statue in Faneuil Hall. But Bill Russell, the man known as the greatest winner in professional sports history? The man who won 11 titles in 13 years? The man who also became the first Black man to coach a team to an NBA title, right here in this city? He doesn't have a damn thing in his honor. Not a statue, not a street, not a tunnel. Nothing.
This type of oversight is inexcusable. It's bad enough that Mr. Russell had to endure acts of racism during his playing tenure here, including having vandals break into his Reading home, covering his walls with racist graffiti, damaging his trophies and defecating in his beds. Now, years after his retirement, he is ignored by the city whose basketball team he made into the NBA's preeminent dynasty. As much as Boston has made strides through the years, it still bears the stigma as a racist city, and this type of slight certainly does not help that image.
So to William Felton Russell, I say that I support you getting your just due from this town. I support you getting the same accolades and respect that the other legends in this town receive. As much as they deserve their awards and distinctions, none of them won more than you, or brought this city more glory than you. Whether Boston recognizes it or not, you DESERVE to be help in a position of honor and in the highest esteem by this town. Maybe one day, this city will get it together and to the right thing. Boston, DO BETTER!!
P.S.
If you agree with this post and would like to see Bill Russell receive his just due from the City of Boston, please go to the Facebook group "Boston, Give Bill Russell a Statue, A Tunnel, SOMETHING" and show your support here
About Me
- Dredlockesq
- Where do I begin....Formerly dredlocked, African American attorney, born in the coalfields of southern West Virginia, and after a long and at times crazy journey now living and working in New England. I strive each and every day to be a positive figure, to consistently better myself and to make a difference in this society. I am self-analytical, my own worst critic, fiercely independent and self-reliant, vocal and passionate, loyal and brutally honest. I pride myself on having a great deal of mental and emotional toughness and strength, forged through taking life's toughest blows and remaining standing. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, so what you see is what you get. I can be a walking paradox at times....both outgoing and withdrawn, people person and very private, social and shy, outgoing and reserved, depending on my mood. I love conversations about politics, religion, philosophy, psychology and social justice. I am incredibly opinionated. My confidence in myself and my views may come across as arrogance to some, but it's not.....i'm just very firm in my knowledge of self and my beliefs. I am very spiritual, with my faith in God being my bedrock and my foundation.
3 comments:
Ted Williams won WWII and tied in Korea. He's a HOFer in two sports. That looks like winning something in my book.
Russell - 11 rings, Williams - 0 rings.
Ted did some great things and was a great man, but his statue in Boston is not of him as an infantryman. They are of him as an athlete. And as far as athlete's go Boston never had a bigger winner than Bill.
You should read "Shut Out: A Story of Race and Baseball in Boston", by Howard Bryant. It talks a little about Russell in this context. I have a copy I can mail you, find me on BP.
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