FENWAY FOUL-MOUTHS
Cops probing both race slur reports
Boston police say they are actively investigating two separate allegations of racial slurs being hurled at Fenway Park during Red Sox games, and cops say they have already spoken to Adam Jones — the Baltimore slugger who says he was targeted by hate speech at Monday’s game.
“The investigations are ongoing,” said officer James Kenneally, a department spokesman, adding that the department’s civil rights unit is “looking into” the actions of a Red Sox fan who has been slapped with a lifetime ban from Fenway Park after he admitted to the club that he used a racial slur during the game on Tuesday.
“A decision into whether further action will be warranted is ongoing,” Kenneally said.
During the pregame performance of the national anthem, sung by Mercy Mungai, a fan allegedly used a racial slur in reference to her performance. The comment was overheard by another fan who reported the incident to Fenway Park security.
Regarding their investigation into racial slurs targeting Jones, Boston police said they spoke with the Orioles outfielder following the Red Sox games against the Orioles Monday and Tuesday night, but would not disclose what was said.
A Red Sox spokeswoman said “we are providing any support we can” to Boston authorities who are probing the two incidents.
Red Sox president Sam Kennedy told the Herald that the unnamed fan at the center of Tuesday night’s controversy was apologetic for his actions.
“He denied saying it (initially) but subsequently admitted to it and expressed an apology to Red Sox security,” Kennedy said before the Sox’ series finale against the Orioles last night.
As to whether the unnamed fan’s remorse and a possible apology to the family that reported the slur might be enough to have the lifetime ban lifted, Kennedy said the team is not prepared to take such a step. “Our position is our position,” Kennedy said. “We’re a long way away from doing anything other than what we’ve done. We are going to continue to work together as an organization to make strides in that area.” The incidents have caused heated dialogue about Boston and its checkered history with racism. Some have said they need evidence to back up Jones’ claims — a demand that the Boston branch of the NAACP says is part of the problem. “People want to undermine the experiences of other people, and they want to make the experiences of other people seem less significant,” said Tanisha Sullivan, president of the local NAACP. “This really does hold us back.”