Editorial: Honoring Willie Mays and Rickwood Field during Juneteenth [Video]

We lost a barrier-breaking legend and athlete this week on the day the Magic City hosted the first of many events at Rickwood Field.It is the field Willie Mays made famous starting in 1948.The events surrounding Major League Baseball’s game at the nation’s oldest ballpark renewed energy, providing a reminder that the city that birthed the Civil Rights Movement continues to honor those who broke barriers on and off the field, like Mays and many others in the Negro Leagues.It is a fitting tribute on this Juneteenth week when we recognize the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrate the multitude of contributions they made to our country.Remembering our past as we celebrate the present and build for the future is key to continuing our quest in the fight against systemic racism. Let us remember the exuberance and talent of Willie Mays as we honor and celebrate African Americans who …