Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown has spoken out about the racism that exists within the Celtics fan base.
In a recent interview with the New York Times, Brown acknowledged that while it’s not the whole fan base, there is a problematic part that ties a player’s character to their bad games. He also addressed the need for improvement in various aspects, including wealth disparity, inequality in education, and tokenism.
Jaylen Brown on certain Celtics fans treating him harshly because he’s African American:
“It’s not the whole Celtic fan base, but it is a part of the fan base that exists within the Celtic nation that is problematic. If you have a bad game, they tie it to your personal… pic.twitter.com/jNAdfejEiB
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 17, 2023
Brown is not the only athlete who has experienced racism in Boston, as Draymond Green and LeBron James have also shared their negative experiences with Boston fans.
Joining Jaylen Brown what did Draymond Green and James say about the Boston fans?
During the 2022 NBA Finals, which the Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games, Green and Stephen Curry were subjected to racial slurs from Boston fans. Green said it was unexpected and caught him off guard. “It took a while to adjust to it … it was just so unexpected. It caught me off guard.” Green stated.
Meanwhile, LeBron James has called Boston “racist as f–k” during an appearance on HBO’s The Shop.
Where does this racism end?
This isn’t a new issue in Boston, as Celtics legend Bill Russell described Boston as “a flea market of racism” in his 1979 memoir, Second Wind. Other former Celtics, including Hall of Famer K.C. Jones, have also experienced racism in Boston.
Jaylen Brown has also been a victim of unwarranted criticism from fans this season, with the Celtics having high expectations after reaching the NBA Finals last season. The team was in first place in the Eastern Conference for much of the 2022-23 season but is now two games behind the Milwaukee Bucks.
The issue of racism in sports is not limited to Boston, but it’s important to acknowledge and address it whenever and wherever it occurs. Athletes like Jaylen Brown, Draymond Green, and LeBron James are using their platforms to bring attention to this issue, and it’s up to fans and organizations to take action and create a more inclusive environment for all athletes.
