Just days after the ACLU released a report stating the Boston Police Department used social media to spy on Blacks and Muslims, the BPD continues to engage in questionable practices.
In a seemingly begrudged acknowledgment of Black History Month, BPD paid homage to late Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, a White man.
While the tweet mentioned several historical Black figures, they were framed as mere beneficiaries of a White knight. The Boston Globe captured the tweet in a screenshot before it was deleted.
“In honor of Black History Month, we pay tribute to @celtics legend #RedAuerbach for being the 1st @NBA coach to draft a Black player in 1950, field an all African-American starting five in 1964 and hire the league’s 1st African-American head coach (Bill Russell) in 1966,” the Sunday tweet read.
Hours later, the department tweeted out an apology.
“BPD realizes that an earlier tweet may have offended some and we apologize for that. Our intentions were never to offend,” the tweet read. “It has been taken down.”
BPD realizes that an earlier tweet may have offended some and we apologize for that. Our intentions were never to offend. It has been taken down.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) February 12, 2018
