Reading To Host Bill Russell Documentary Screening, Conversation

READING, MA — NBA great Bill Russell's time living in Reading while he was a member of the Celtics was marred by incidents of racism and racial vandalism against Russell and his family.

The stories about these incidents have been well-documented, and they are covered rather extensively in a new documentary "Bill Russell: Legend," which debuted on Netflix this week.

Modern-day Reading has acknowledged its past. When Russell died last July at the age of 88, the Select Board issued a formal proclamation celebrating the Hall of Famer and civil rights leader.

At the time, Reading's leaders also spoke about the struggle that Russell faced while living in the town.

"This was a very awful thing that happened and I'm in favor of doing something we can do to try to make amends,” Select Board Member Karen Gately Herrick said at the time.

Now, two local events next month — co-sponsored by the Reading Public Library and CATO: Coalition of Us — are designed to celebrate Russell's legacy on and off the court, while also confronting Reading's sometimes shameful place in his story and examining the current state of race relations in town.

At 6:30 p.m. on March 2, Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave., will host a special screening of "Bill Russell: Legend." The movie will be shown in the RPL Community Room and registration is not required.

Then, on March 6, the library also will be the site of "Reading in 1963 & 2023, Bill Russell's Legacy 60 Years Later," which organizers call a community conversation about Bill Russell's legacy in Reading.

"(Russell's) experience in Reading in the 60s was difficult, and while we have come a long way since then, recurring issues around equity and inclusion are some things that citizens of Reading still are grappling with today," the library and CATO said in a statement.

The library and CATO continued: "Together, these programs offer a unique way for us to understand our history and envision our shared future."

Registration is required for the March 6 event, which also will be held in the RPL Community Room.