Globe columnist: Rid Boston of Tom Yawkey’s racist legacy
While some institutions around the country have recalled or renamed monuments initially dedicated to leaders with a history of racist opinions, the iconic Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park still bears the name of a former controversial Red Sox owner — and it’s time to change that, writes Boston Globe columnist Adrian Walker.
“Why on earth does Boston have a street called Yawkey Way? Or a Yawkey MBTA station?’’ Walker writes in the opinion piece. “At a time when activists, especially on college campuses, are clamoring for renaming monuments to racist history, it’s long past time for Boston to think long and hard about the official Yawkey legacy.’’
Tom Yawkey, who owned the Red Sox from 1933-1976, neglected to sign some of the greatest African-American baseball players — including Jackie Robinson — because of their race, Walker writes. Rather than continue to honor Yawkey, Walker suggested that the street and MBTA station be renamed for another figure deserving of tribute — like Ted Williams.
“The city has moved so far from the days of Tom Yawkey,’’ Walker writes. “By comparison, changing a few street signs and renaming a train station is just a small step in expressing who we are now, and what we aspire to represent.’’
Read Walker’s full Globe column here.
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