Re: Black leaders seek to rename Paseo to MLK Blvd
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:54 pm
Rename Berkley Park to MLK Park. MLK did just as much or more for KC as Berkley did.
Paseo is my detour if 71 is a parking lot.beautyfromashes wrote:Unfortunately, it’s a road I never use. Paseo became a bit pointless after 71 was built a few blocks away.
http://www.thefader.com/2017/10/03/obam ... latabilitybeautyfromashes wrote:Maybe, we could kick off a Barack Obama Blvd trend. First official black President deserves the honor.
I actually find the rush to name streets after people of national fame a bit trite and think it's really rather irrelevant if KC has a MLK, Chavez, Washington or Lincoln Street. Name streets with evocative names - like the Paseo (it's modeled after the eponymous Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City so we would forever lose that connection with a name change) - or at least honor local leaders (unless they are named "Cleaver"). Cleaver II is the worst name for a street in the US. Nothing against the man, it just sounds like a horror show sequel - visitors must think it's some kind of inside joke. Use his first name and change the name to something more original and palatable like Emmanuel Way.tower wrote:Renaming a street for MLK is a way for politicians and community leaders to pat themselves on the back without actually doing anything. That's why there is a MLK street in every city, not because of any other reason . "The Paseo" is at least unique among american cities.
As a continuous street Prospect ends just south of the Blue River and then becomes Grandview Road. There are short sections of Prospect thereafter before it continues its long treck that begins at Jerry Smith Park. So Prospect would be a good choice.brewcrew1000 wrote:I really think Paseo makes the most sense for the name change because it has a definitive stop and end all within KCMO. Prospect goes all the way down to Belton and even into Cleveland Mo and it also extends up in the northland. Yes you could just rename a small section of Prospect from say 10th to 80th but people might be offended that more sections are not included and The Paseo name itself doesn't have really any historical ties in this area.kcjak wrote:I'd rather see Prospect be renamed - there's such a stigma with it (and Troost) being a dividing line, a name change would be a great opportunity to rebrand. And wasn't Prospect the epicenter of the '68 riots that happened around the time of King's murder?
27th Street really would be a great one but its a fairly low density street. 31st might be a good one.flyingember wrote:27th. Connect the Liberty Memorial to the east sidebeautyfromashes wrote:I’d prefer that MLK get one of our best streets. So many MLK streets around the country have a negative stereotype because they are usually in poorer areas with more crime. Also, make this a connection between black and white. Use the name for an E-W road similar to Emmanuel Cleaver. 63rd St? 75th?
The symbolism would be appropriate
I too would prefer to choose another street to honor Dr. King (or even a local leader), but I think your last paragraph is incredibly insulting to the black community. The Paseo is a boulevard in the heart of the KC black community. If you can't understand why they would want to rename the most emblematic, beautiful boulevard on the east side after, who they perceive, to be their greatest leader, then I don't know what to tell you. I just hope you rethink what is behind this and what it means to the black community in KC.dnweava wrote:I am against renaming The Paseo, it's a historic name. Why can't they just rename a number street or I-70?
There are already 900 MLK streets/ bridges in the US anyways, everyone already knows who he is, why not rename a street for a local civil rights activist or someone like Medgar Evers who was also a civil rights activist that was assassinated.
I think they choose Paseo purposely to cause controversy so they can call white people racist when they come out against it renaming it... the fact they aren't willing to consider any other street is ridiculous.
Maybe we should just stop perpetuating this social racial divide? Maybe?WSPanic wrote:..incredibly insulting to the black community. The Paseo is a boulevard in the heart of the KC black community.
I'm sorry guys. You are right. The racial healing begins by telling the black community that a combination of community organization and due process are not legitimate ways to have a voice in the community. And furthermore, that if they choose to honor someone, make sure it's someone more palatable than MLK. And, god forbid, if they do honor MLK, please choose a crappy street like Prospect or 31st.im2kull wrote:Maybe we should just stop perpetuating this social racial divide? Maybe?WSPanic wrote:..incredibly insulting to the black community. The Paseo is a boulevard in the heart of the KC black community.
Unless of course MLK Jr. fought for self-segregation. Then, by all means..
Isn't the Paseo designed and named after the Paseo de Reforma in Mexico City. Additionally, why can't or shouldn't people of all races be involved with the naming on public streets.chaglang wrote:Ideally they would choose a street that they feel is meaningful and white Kansas City would STFU and be ok with it. If it’s Paseo, then it’s Paseo. That name never made any sense anyway.
WSPanic wrote:I'm sorry guys. You are right. The racial healing begins by telling the black community that a combination of community organization and due process are not legitimate ways to have a voice in the community. And furthermore, that if they choose to honor someone, make sure it's someone more palatable than MLK. And, god forbid, if they do honor MLK, please choose a crappy street like Prospect or 31st.im2kull wrote:Maybe we should just stop perpetuating this social racial divide? Maybe?WSPanic wrote:..incredibly insulting to the black community. The Paseo is a boulevard in the heart of the KC black community.
Unless of course MLK Jr. fought for self-segregation. Then, by all means..
Do you want to tell them, or should I?
chaglang wrote:Ideally they would choose a street that they feel is meaningful and white Kansas City would STFU and be ok with it. If it’s Paseo, then it’s Paseo. That name never made any sense anyway.