i will NEVER, EVER call StateStreet ANYTHING else.
Posted on 10/05/2006 1:04:40 PM PDT by trane250
Ithaca Street Re-Naming Aims To Honor Dr. King
Erin Billups
A group of Ithaca residents want to rename a well-known street to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but some residents say it's too much of burden.
Since 2004, members of Ithaca’s Circle of Recovery, a group of young minority men, has been working with other supporters to change State Street, to Dr. King Street.
They say it's a way for the city to recognize its minority population and Dr. King 's message of hope.
"We need something to be proud of and especially young people, because they feel very, they feel a great sense of hopelessness," said Gino Bush, Circle of Recovery facilitator.
Although most agree Dr. King should be honored in the city, some residents feel changing the street name is not the way to go about it.
"Changing the name of the street is a big expense and a lot of bother for businesses and homeowners and in some cases very, very expensive and we don't see what it accomplishes," said State Street resident, Margaret Hobbie.
Wednesday night the city's board of public works held one of the last forums on the issue before they decide whether the project, that could cost the city upwards of $20,000, is worth it.
Residents for the renaming say it's not about the money but the effect it could have on the community, because it runs through the heart of the city.
"Visual things give us pause, pause to think. I know when I see certain things I think about what that means," said Bush.
One of the proposals suggests dual naming which would also recognize it as the historic state street.
An Ithaca chamber of commerce representative says if a dual street name is adopted property owners may not have to change their addresses at all.
"If there's such a thing as a dual naming is there some kid of miraculous consensus that can be achieved here, that would be something of great interest to me," said Ithaca Mayor, Carolyn Peterson.
Despite the outcome many say the debate has opened the door for much needed conversations about race relations in the city.
The Mayor says the board will discuss today's findings next Wednesday and decide whether to vote then or table it to the following week.
Are there actually any blacks in Ithaca - other than the occasional student or faculty member?
I've never been there - but the town strikes me as chockful of guilt-ridden white liberals.
I understand that the college population aside, Ithaca proper is about 60-65% diverse. Considering East and West State Streets (NY Route 13) run the entire length of the city, one could celebrate MLK for at least 30 minutes. There's even a KFC on the corner of Cayuga and State. That was one partying town when I was a kid, I try to avoid it now.
I had a dream...that every major famous thorough fare in the US...be re-named MLK blvd!
Fifth Ave in NYC was the wrong choice...how about re-naming Broadway for MLK....
would that mean the end of the Great White Way?
Hope they go ahead and do this. From what I have heard about Ithaca this would be welcomed. Next they can name their city hall after Josep Stalin. Maybe they'll want to rename Cornell University, Lenin College.
RACIST!!!!
Why not?
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican.
Me, too. In fact, I can't offhand think of one that's not among the more dangerous parts of town.
One would think that'd be a wake-up call...
It's the main drag and the further up the hill towards Cornell, the more white it is. I lived on State St in 1972. About midway on State Street in the city, there was a really great Greek restaurant named Rosebud. Mousakka and pitstio.
If it's like in other cities, I'd count it a public service to visitors. Streets named after MLK seem always to mark the parts of town that one wants to avoid. I have actually used that rule of thumb....
Hmmm, let me think. MLK, Jr. probably has papers in the National Archives.
A guy that went to school (Cornell grad) in Ithaca stole documents from the National Archives.
Does that help?
We've already got a Martin Luther King Boulevard. Now, blacks want a street named for his widow. What did she ever do that was noteworthy?
What about Boston University? He donated papers to the institution where he plagiarized his way to a Ph.D.
As for the family, they sued to get the papers back, but a court found Dr. King's donation was of
his free will, and unencumbered, iirc.
i will NEVER, EVER call StateStreet ANYTHING else.
thanks for the correction. appreciate it. is it Boston U or Boston College?
none... it's the business district.
kfc is gone...
I was in Ithaca two weeks ago, and drove down to campus from the airport, and then into the town for a bit. Confusing as all hell. Can't imagine how this would help things.
Hmmm, let me think. MLK, Jr. probably has papers in the National Archives. ...
Actually I once visited the home of someone who lived on Buffalo St. in Ithaca (parallel to State St.) who had a photograph on his wall of himself with Martin Luther King. But I think the photo was taken in the South.
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