FIRST WORD
WE, LIKE MANY AMERICANS, MADE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THAT OUR REGION’S AND COUNTRY’S LESS-THANSTELLAR PASTS WERE FIRMLY BEHIND US, THAT 21ST CENTURY AMERICA WAS BECOMING A MORE INCLUSIVE NATION COMMITTED TO CELEBRATING DIVERSITY. THAT IS NOT THE CASE.” Red Sox owner John Henry, in a statement about the “Take the Lead” initiative announced Thursday that includes all the major professional sports teams that call Boston and New England home. The initiative is seeking for inclusion at venues and asking fans to call out those who use hateful or racist speech at events.