Saturday, January 24, 2004

A Local Issue That Could Arise in Any Neighborhood

If there is a less accurate way to measure the worth of an individual, than basing that judgment on the color of one’s skin, I am not aware of it.  Individuals who harbor prejudice, based on the color of an individual’s skin, are simply unthinking fools.

With this thought in mind, I invite you to read an article that was published in the Grand Rapids Press on Thursday, January 22nd.  The article is entitled “Bid to rename Franklin for MLK is renewed." Now why has this “bid to rename Franklin” been renewed?  Here’s what the second paragraph of the article states.

"Although city commissioners shied away from the idea 18 months ago, a couple of new faces on the commission may give the effort renewed momentum."

So, “new faces,” which basically means recently elected city officials, want to rename a street, which has been known as Franklin St since 1912, to honor MLK.  According to the article, the street was renamed Franklin St in 1912 so a city commissioner could present the street name as a “baptismal gift” for his godson, Franklin B. Morrison.  How sweet, warm hugs all around.

Consider that reasoning, for a moment, if you will.  A city commissioner renamed a street in 1912 as a baptismal gift for his godson for Pete’s sake.  There is no rational reason for that 1912 name change other than garnering the city commissioner warm fuzzies.  What a nice guy, he renamed a street for his godson.  I wonder if the folks alive in 1912 received as much benefit as I am receiving from that name change currently, which is none.  I submit that this “renewed” bid to rename Franklin St falls into exactly the same category.  But, with the additional benefit, to the “new faces,” of an official feel good act to garner the “new faces” warm fuzzies and a false legitmacy to their supposed service to the city and the public which “elected” them.

As I thought about this today, I wondered how many streets are actually named after MLK.  Well, according to this article, there are over 650 streets named after MLK.  The article also has this to say.

"Dr. King would have been opposed to just naming a street running through the heart of the black community for him,” said the Rev. Aaron Johnson, a former Fayetteville City Council member who marched with King before King’s death on April 4, 1968 ..."

Besides the streets named after MLK, I wonder how many parks, buildings and what not are named after the man?  Hundred’s?  I do not know.

I invite you to read a letter, by clicking on “More to read,” written by an individual who lives in the area which would be effected by this feel good foolishness.  Addressed to the city commissioners, the mayor and the city manager of Grand Rapids, Michigan, it deals more in factual thinking than feelings and suppositions.

"It was incredibly frustrating to again read the untruths being spread by Robert Dean and the Grand Rapids Press. As a resident of Franklin Street, I am still waiting, after two years, to be contacted by the Racial Justice Institute for their bogus survey.  They keep misleading the public by stating the untruth that 90% of residents are in favor of the name change! Why have they never contacted any residents who live on Franklin east of Fuller? Some of you may recall our group, who spent hours sending out a mailing to ALL adddresses on the entire length of the street. I still have the true, accurate data which we presented at our meeting in October 2002 which shows that the majority (greater than 70%) of people who took the time to respond do NOT want the name of our street to change. When is the Racial Justice Institute going to stop lying to serve their own purpose? Interesting that none of the proponents of the name change even live on Franklin Street, so would not have to deal with the hassle and expense of changing their address on every legal document they possess. How easy it is to make decisions that will not directly impact your own life!  At a time when the city’s and especially the public school system’s financial woes are a constant topic on the news, how can you justify the unnecessary expense of an official street name change? Why would you want to spend money in this manner instead of using it to fund a Martin Luther King scholarship for underprivileged children, for example? When will people try to honor Dr. King in a manner more fitting to his memory and his dreams?  Is renaming a street really going to get to the core of the problems in the inner city of poverty, joblessness, drugs and crime? Or is it instead going to actually divide a neighborhood which prides itself on a long history of cultural diversity?  How many children could be helped by the amount of money it would take to replace all the street signs, especially the ones off of 131?.. Martin Luther King Park, on the corner of Fuller and Franklin, is rarely used as a site to actually honor Dr. King and his vision. What a sad statement to his memory to have such an untapped resource. I hardly think that a commemorative renaming demonstrates a “lack of commitment to the diverse inclusion...” as Mr. Dean stated in the paper.  Let’s honor Dr. King in a more practical manner to actually benefit the causes for which he worked so hard during his lifetime. Clearly there is a difference of opinion between those who are pushing a political agenda for their own advancement and those who would be directly affected by this expensive, inappropriate proposal. Please keep in mind that most of the residents of Franklin Street may not have been asked their opinion yet, but will not stand by while elected officials make decisions that will directly affect thir lives.  Our city commissioners are supposed to represent ALL the citizens in their respective wards, and I hope this responsibility is not ignored.  I will be happy to again present the data which our group spent many hours collected so that both sides of this debate receive equal representation. Thank you for your time.

Laurie Merucci

The Citizens to Preserve Franklin Street"

Posted by John Venlet on 01/24 at 11:37 AM
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