AJC Highlights Streets Named After "Civil Rights Leaders" Fails To Talk About The Promises Of Increased Consciousness That Would Result From The Change Of Signs

For Black History Month: What's in a street name?

In celebration of Black History Month we decided to dig behind the stories of a handful of roads named after lesser-known individuals. You won't find Andrew Young International Boulevard or Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive included here. However, you will find a collection of streets named after men who made a significant mark in the struggle for African-American civil equality in Atlanta.

My commentary should not be read as any sort of attack upon those who's names adorn the street signs. I have the utmost respect for these men and women who proceeded me and their leadership that they provided for the city.

My critique is focused at two forces:

1. The present establishment leaders in the city of Atlanta who told the community over the past 20 to 30 years that the change in signage in these problem plagued communities would usher in a new set of consciousness from the people within.
2. The people carrying out their lives today on these streets named after these heroes yet too many actions degrade the memory of the people who's name adorn the streets.

To give some backdrop to my concerns one must understand the agenda that has taken place.  The Black Civil Rights and Political order of Atlanta has been asking rhetorically:  "How do you expect the people in the community to live in peace when they look up and see the names of their long time oppressors being honored on the street signs in their community?".   This was said about the streets that had been named after various "Confederate Army Generals" that doted the western part of the city of Atlanta.

With their power in hand they began removing the names of these "Confederates" and replacing them with "Civil Rights Heroes".  They made sure that they were photographed in ever name changing ceremony that was captured, dawning a new day and a new consciousness. 

Anyone who watches the local news will know that some of these "sacred streets" are also some of the most violent streets in Atlanta.  Sadly the corner of  "Joseph E Lowery Blvd and Joseph E Boone Drive" was called the "most deadly block in Atlanta". 

I view this "ceremonialism" as a derivative of "Portrait Upon The Wall Worship".  Those who are now in the seats of power that these honorable men and women who are recognized had ones fought against for our freedom - are the one's responsible for hanging these portraits upon the wall for the modern people to bask in.  In the minds of some of these people the masses will fall in line behind them "acting properly" and striving to do their best merely driven by the pride that they have in the "portrait". 

My goal is to press reverse of the video tape of promises that the community was promised if we silently follow.   Those who lead us along this course need to be made to account for the present situation - especially since they are now in the seats of power and thus have the responsibility to do so.

Sadly too many Black American voters are so overjoyed to have Black people in power representing their interests that they are disinclined to hold them to actually delivering upon these interests for fear that outward criticism might allow "the enemy" to get back into power.   They would prefer to satisfy themselves that their elected leaders have the INTENTIONS of delivering for them, as they spout words that are in line with the person's own beliefs, more than they actually demand that their interests be actually satisfied.