In light of recent events around the U.S. and additional community feedback, MLQ announced yesterday that the MLQ Marketing and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Departments will review the name and branding of the Boston Night Riders.
We do want to take this time to acknowledge fault in not taking action in 2015, upon the creation of MLQ, when a group of Emerson College students—some of which went on to play for the Boston team—raised concern regarding the choice of “Night Riders” as a mascot. Due to the incorrect assumption by MLQ management and marketing that the history surrounding Paul Revere and Boston could and would overwrite the usage of “nightriders” as it relates to the KKK, it was decided to move forward with the name the “Boston Night Riders.”
It’s clear this was not the correct choice and we accept full responsibility for the failure and the correction of such.
Additionally, we would like to take this time to provide a resource to those that are unaware of this name association given questions were raised due to minimal online material being readily available as it relates to this phrase. Gladys-Marie Fry was a Professor Emerita of Folklore and English at University of Maryland. She penned “Night Riders in Black Folk History” in July 1975. The book addresses the days after slavery in which the KKK would use the supernatural to scare and antagonize the Black population. This included various entities that would come out at night (evil spirits, body snatchers, etc.), coined, “night riders.”
Concerns have also been raised regarding the cost of replacement kits to the Boston team. New kits were already in the process of being attained in order to add Boston’s latest MLQ Championship star. Production has been halted on those kits in order to account for the branding changes. Thus, this change will not result in an added cost or burden to any of our athletes due to our poor judgement.
MLQ encourages not just Boston athletes from the past and present to contribute to the conversation, but also those that call Boston home. You can submit suggestions for a new team name via this form. You can also reach out to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist Christian Barnes at [email protected] for conversation, ideas or additional questions. For marketing purposes, the team will temporarily be referred to as the “Boston Riders” until a new name has been selected.
– Amanda Dallas and Ethan Sturm
Commissioners
If you are interested in volunteering for the MLQ Marketing Department and working on future branding initiatives, head over to our volunteer page to review our MLQ Marketing Director opening.