Sox, foundations can rehab Yawkey legacy
Last month, I wrote a column for the Herald applauding the Red Sox and their abutters for taking a solid first step to disassociate from a racially charged history connected with the name Yawkey.
As a guest on Neighborhood Network News on April 24, with the Rev. Ray Hammond representing the Yawkey Foundations, I reaffirmed my position that changing the name was a first step — and only a first step. The Red Sox and the Yawkey Foundations both can do better. It can’t be just about changing the name. It has to be about changing the game.
Yesterday’s unanimous decision by Boston’s Public Improvement Commission to change Yawkey Way back to Jersey Street was the right thing to do — despite the many passionate arguments to the contrary.
While there will be some fallout, I don’t believe anyone will strip the name of Yawkey from the many buildings that bear former Sox owner Tom Yawkey’s name. I believe good and reasonable people can discern between his and the Yawkey Foundations’ extraordinary philanthropic generosity and good works from a legacy that was just plain racist.
But the Red Sox don’t get a pass because they were on the right side of the name change. To change a legacy will take more than new signage. It must be backed up with solid action that creates business and other opportunities for people of color throughout the organization. People of color have for too long not been players.
The Yawkey Foundations can do more for communities of color. That’s why it’s important that a person of the Rev. Hammond’s stature and experience is involved. He more than most knows what needs to be done to lift these communities.
Some fear that because of yesterday’s decision the Yawkey Foundations might be predisposed to cut back on their philanthropic giving. I hope not. When you think about it, Yawkey’s strongest, most meaningful and lasting legacy will always be the foundations’ spectacular history of giving.
And that has to be a home run.