Marc Morial, Head Of National Urban League, On Boston After 35 Years

The year was 1976. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by a young Elton John was at the top of the charts, and the original "Rocky" was slugging it out on the big screen.

Meanwhile, Boston was in the midst of one of the most racially charged moments in the city's long history. Anti-busing riots were tearing Boston apart. And Williams Owens, a state Senator, was saying this at Boston City Hall:

"People of color are not safe to come here to Boston, and we are asking people across the country of color to stay away."

Not safe because earlier, Theodore Landsmark, a black attorney, had been attack by a mob of white students, including one named Joseph Rakes who was armed with an American Flag. A photographer captured that moment. And that picture went on to tarnish the world's view of Boston.

1976 was also the year that the National Urban League last held its annual conference in Boston.

Thirty-five years later, the National Urban League is back. The conference kicks off Wednesday night with a keynote address by Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Radio Boston went down to the Boston Convention Center to sit down with Morial to get his impression of Boston and its history.

Guest: