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Dear Editor,
In their meeting of June 18, 2024, the Reading Select Board voted unanimously to create the Ad hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee (ACE) to honor the legacy of the late Bill Russell, a legendary Boston Celtic, a Civil Rights icon and a former Reading resident. The idea to form a committee for this purpose was recommended to CATO the Coalition of Us, by former Town Manager Fidel Maltez and Select Board member Jackie McCarthy to help the town deliver on the 2022 Select Board proclamation to honor Russell after his passing at the age of 88. ACE will achieve this by gathering a dedicated and diverse group of Reading community members devoted to ensuring Russell is honored as a leader on and off the basketball court. We believe this was a great day for the town of Reading!
Bill Russell was a Celtics legend. His talents on the basketball court make him arguably one of, if not, the best player ever. Russell used his platform to work for justice and equity, also making him a giant among civil rights leaders. A recent Netflix documentary of his life, reminded Americans that while Russell was a national hero, his time in Reading was marked by hateful, racist treatment toward his entire family. This history is well-documented, but often overlooked, unknown or denied by those who only want to applaud his sports accomplishments without seeing the dehumanizing obstacles he faced.
On Tuesday night June 18th, CATO president Philmore Phillip II, and two of its members, Tara Gregory and Linda Snow Dockser, did their second presentation to the Select Board, outlining the benefits of this ad hoc committee and addressing outstanding questions from the first meeting last fall. The first presentation was met with questions and skepticism as to the need for a committee to form to commemorate Russell. This latest presentation answered questions and presented a comprehensive view as to why it’s critical for there to be a group charged with properly acknowledging the real history of racist behavior toward the Russell family in addition to his legendary Celtics accomplishments, as well as a clear path to implementation.
ACE will be composed of representatives from the community and key town departments to meet and generate an appropriate commemoration. This will alleviate additional work by town staff and elected officials, and will offer an opportunity for a broader perspective on how to best address the complex history of this Celtics great. Individuals selected for this committee will collect information and insights from town resources and residents to ensure that the commemoration day aligns with the priorities and values Bill Russell espoused. In addition to designing the commemoration, the committee will advise the Town Manager, who was designated by the Select Board to fulfill their obligation, on investigating ways to fund it, overseeing the first event, ensuring it is held as an annual basis. Notably, the Committee will be addressing the involvement, if any, that Mr. Russell’s family would like to have in this process and on an ongoing basis. We recognize that it will be a very difficult, if not impossible, task to make up for their treatment in our town. However, we are committed through this committee to begin the process of reconciliation and moving forward the work Mr. Russell championed off the court to make Reading a more equitable, inclusive and welcoming community.
A number of town residents attended this meeting to support ACE and many spoke to confirm the need for this action. In addition, when asked if they would serve on the committee, many hands went up to indicate their willingness to do this work. CATO would like to express its sincere gratitude to those community members for their support of this action. We would also like to thank the Select Board members for listening to the entreaties of our organization and voting to create ACE.
Now the work begins! If you are reading this and would like to be considered for a spot on the ad hoc committee or learn more about CATO, the Coalition of US, please email Philmore Phillip at catocoalition01867@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Members of CATO the Coalition of Us
About CATO, the Coalition of US:
The Coalition of Us (CATO) is a social justice organization dedicated to advancing racial justice for Black and brown people. CATO focuses on 4 main pillars to address racial inequities in Reading and the surrounding towns to create a more equitable community which can serve as a model for Massachusetts and the broader country.
Advocating for policy evolution (laws, programs, housing, employment, curriculum, environmental justice) to address systematic racism
Educating the community about historical and present day human and civil rights violations in Reading and beyond, as well as the lived experiences of Black and brown communities.
Engaging with the governing bodies, schools and the broader community to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for Black and brown people.
Empowering Support current and potential Black and brown community members via scholarships, networking, housing, employment, and cultural inclusion.
CATO’s vision is to see a more diverse, representative, welcoming and equitable community in Reading, Massachusetts in order to set an example for the rest of the country. CATO will focus on advancing equity for Black and brown people, though will intentionally intersect with all communities whose human and/or civil rights have been, or are being, infringed upon or denied. Successful outcomes will include increases in Black and brown residency/home ownership, businesses, educators and government representation; decreases in discrimination and marginalization of community members based on race; and full transparency in law enforcement, education, housing, employment and other measures.
