mlk

MLK Blvd.

I opposed the changing of Airport Rd. into MLK Blvd. for one major reason, we could have done much better; to wit, we could focus on a more local celebration of the Civil Rights Movement in Chapel Hill, NC. Instead, we have changed one bland name for another. Certainly, the first MLK Blvd was not a bland name, because Rev. Martin Luther King is, quite simply, one of the most powerful and wonderful forces in American history. Any celebration of his life deserves thoughtful consideration. And so, it was with some hesitation that I came to oppose the renaming of Airport Road with MLK Blvd.

Context, though, corrodes what would have been an admirable monument to this figure's achievements. Here, that context is utter un-originality. In that so many so-named streets exist, the man's life is belittled by the ordinary-ness of "MLK Blvd." If we really want to celebrate him, do something that portrays some meaning, some thought, something worked-at. Renaming a street to MLK Blvd. is the epitome of replicating what was once good idea to the point of meaninglessness. A monument of some greater creativity would have done much more, in my thinking, to celebrate this man.

Further, we should have localized the important Movement, and celebrated Chapel Hill's unique involvement. Frankly, it is insulting that we chose conformity with every other city in America over initiative. What does this say about our commitment to an amazingly non-conformist movement to simply ride long the (sorry for the pun) boulevard of the status quo? We had leaders in Chapel Hill. We had NC's first black mayor. We have so much to celebrate, and to connect ourselves to.

Doubtless, there is no harm in this renamed road. I don't chaff at the attempt. Again, though, we could have done much much better.

Update:
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did appear in Chapel Hill on May 8th and 9th of 1960. I do not suppose it changes the above criticisms of honor-via-road-names. Still, it is a pleasant thing to read of his visit. See Sally Greene's site for a description, here.