Boston, a city that struggles with a history of racism, nightmare traffic, dysfunctional government and an aging and unreliable public transit system, is about to welcome thousands of Black convention goers in a potentially awkward and embarrassing embrace.
Can the Hub get its act together in time for all these important people from the NAACP coming in?
We’ll find out in two weeks when the national convention, expected to generate $10 million for the local economy, begins.
For the city’s reputation, the NAACP gathering is as important as a national political convention. These are prominent activists, community leaders and elected officials from around the country who may not have a great image of Boston. Hillary Clinton will be here to speak to the attendees, along with so-called surprise guests.
What are they going to see?
We have a mayor who faces daily protests and challenges, open drug dealing and violence at Mass and Cass, a public transit system that’s a running joke, a City Council that is bitterly splintered, the closing of a key tunnel that connects visitors to the airport, and public allegations of racism at the very convention center the meeting is taking place.
Even at one of the jewels of the city, Fenway Park, it’s hard to even find a lot of Black fans.
And it won’t be hard for the convention goers to find controversy.
Just google Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and racism and you’ll find dozens of stories about complaints and accusations of discrimination against Black employees and vendors. State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has launched an independent probe into whether there is bias against Black-sponsored events and pay inequity among employees. The state’s Black and Latino Legislative Caucus also supports the audit.
A Boston Globe review found no Black employees among the 25 highest-paid officials at the authority, which is in charge of the South Boston convention center.
Numerous employees at the authority signed a letter urging Gov. Maura Healey to replace MCAA Executive Director David Gibbons.
Healey did replace several members of the MCCA board, which means Gibbons may not survive much longer.
But in the meantime, Gibbons has a chance in two weeks to show that things have improved at the MCCA and put on a good show for the attendees.
And close to the convention center is Mass and Cass, the intersection that’s become a dangerous open drug market. The violence and problems there have drawn national attention and are a blight on Boston’s landscape
The NAACP convention also comes in the midst of the Sumner Tunnel shutdown, which is expected to exacerbate the already overwhelmed traffic system in Boston. Will convention goers even be able to get to their hotels?
How can the city showcase itself with so many problems?
That will be the test for Mayor Michelle Wu, Healey, Gibbons and others. It’s important that we all pass it.
