Hub builds on prez idea for Bill Russell statue

Blackstonian Editor's Note: We are glad to see that President Obama has come around to the long held idea that Bill Russell deserves a statue in Boston, the Blackstonian has been working on a statue and honoring Bill Russell in Boston for some time. We suggested an Official City of Boston "Day" as well as a State of Mass "Day" honoring Mr. Russell.. we suggested his birthday of Feb. 12th. In addition, the ONLY person who should do this statue is Fern Cunningham, the Black Woman who also made the Harriet Tubman statues and the work in Forest Hills Cemetary.
See Basic Black Feature on Fern Cunningham here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNcrUsC63SI
The Blackstonian hopes that when our dream comes to fruition, we at least get invited ;)

Hub builds on prez idea for Bill Russell statue

By O’Ryan Johnson  |   Friday, February 18, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Two days after President Obama said he hopes Boston will build a statue honoring Celtics [team stats] legend Bill Russell, plans are under way between city officials and the Celtics front office to make that happen.

Support for the idea is pouring in from across the Hub, with the Rev. Bruce Wall in Dorcehster, congressman Michael Capuano as well as several Celtics who are on record saying it should be built.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino said the battle is not being fought over whether to build the statue, but where to build it.

“Where is the most appropriate place to put the statue for the consideration and respect due Bill Russell?” said Menino, who considers Russell a friend. “He’s a very deep person who has a big laugh, but is very serious.”

He said that was the subject of the phone call between the city and Celtics front office Wednesday, and he said both sides are looking at that issue now. While Causeway Street seems like an obvious choice, Menino pointed out that Celtics coach Red Auerbach’s statue is in Faneuil Hall.

In Dorchester, the Rev. Bruce Wall said a Russell statue should be in a place where all who visit Boston can enjoy it.

“He was not just a figure for the black community. He is a world-renowned figure,” Wall said. “Everyone recognized him. Put the statue in a place where people visiting Boston from all over can pay tribute. I would support having it downtown.”

Capuano (D-Somerville), whose district includes the North End, said a statue for Russell — who won 11 NBA championships, two as player coach — should have happened years ago.

A Bill Russell statue is long overdue, Capuano said. “He is a Boston legend, a quintessential Celtic and a true champion — as a coach and a player.”

But Menino said one hang-up remains, no one has talked to Russell.

“We want to connect with Bill Russell ourselves first,” said Menino, to make sure he wants a statue, before plans get too far ahead.

Kilbert Pierce Jr, the boxer-turned-blogger who proposed the idea of a statue more than three years ago, said in addition to a lack of funding, there seemed to be little interest in raising a statue to Russell at the time.

“It makes me feel so good that people are now coming around and showing interest. I think it’s great. Obama has pushed this to a new level. For (Celtics Ray) Allen to say something, for (Coach Doc) Rivers to say something. That’s beautiful. That’s all I ever wanted,” Pierce said.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1317640