While racism is certainly the most well-publicized reason why some people are against the renaming issue, it is certainly not the only one. There are legitimate concerns raised by the community - the cost incurred to businesses, for one - that have nothing to do with ignorance or hatred. It is a disservice to claim that you must be either for this renaming or you are racist, because there is an honorable middle ground here.
I, for one, am against the renaming because I feel that the streets of a city should reflect the city's history, and while the positive impact of Cesar Chavez's is felt nationally, my understanding is that most of his time was spent in Arizona and California. The names Pettigrove, Lovejoy, McGloughlin, Terwilliger... these are all names from Portland's heritage. The name Interstate may not have the same personal legacy, but it does have a connection to the history of Portland. We seem to giving away the lifeblood of our city to national concerns.
In addition, I hope that we give more credit to this important historical figure than just rename a street. The city renamed Portland Blvd. to Rosa Parks Way. Has anything happened since? Couldn't we have instead taken all of the expense to the city and to businesses that went into renaming the street and donated it to EJAG or some other group? Perhaps call it the "Rosa Parks Memorial Effort to End Intolerance"? Wouldn't that have had a more positive impact? I suggest that the Latino communities in Portland deserve significantly more than just a street.
Mr. Chavez is long overdue for recognition in our city. I would be honored to have my daughter attend Chavez Elementary School and learn about his civil rights work as a manditory part of her education.
I am sad that we can no longer have civil public discourse over this issue. Why is "we should rename a street, but have some debate over which street" a racist position?
This issue is more complicated than is being given credit
While racism is certainly the most well-publicized reason why some people are against the renaming issue, it is certainly not the only one. There are legitimate concerns raised by the community - the cost incurred to businesses, for one - that have nothing to do with ignorance or hatred. It is a disservice to claim that you must be either for this renaming or you are racist, because there is an honorable middle ground here.
I, for one, am against the renaming because I feel that the streets of a city should reflect the city's history, and while the positive impact of Cesar Chavez's is felt nationally, my understanding is that most of his time was spent in Arizona and California. The names Pettigrove, Lovejoy, McGloughlin, Terwilliger... these are all names from Portland's heritage. The name Interstate may not have the same personal legacy, but it does have a connection to the history of Portland. We seem to giving away the lifeblood of our city to national concerns.
In addition, I hope that we give more credit to this important historical figure than just rename a street. The city renamed Portland Blvd. to Rosa Parks Way. Has anything happened since? Couldn't we have instead taken all of the expense to the city and to businesses that went into renaming the street and donated it to EJAG or some other group? Perhaps call it the "Rosa Parks Memorial Effort to End Intolerance"? Wouldn't that have had a more positive impact? I suggest that the Latino communities in Portland deserve significantly more than just a street.
Mr. Chavez is long overdue for recognition in our city. I would be honored to have my daughter attend Chavez Elementary School and learn about his civil rights work as a manditory part of her education.
I am sad that we can no longer have civil public discourse over this issue. Why is "we should rename a street, but have some debate over which street" a racist position?