FeedsInterstate/Chavez renaming looks wrapped up
The Mercury is reporting that the attempt to rename Interstate Ave after Cesar Chavez is all but a done deal, despite calls for sanity from Leonard and Adams. The actual votes in City Council will occur on November 15.
The most annoying part about all of this is how the pro-renaming side is turning this into a 2008 mayor election issue. Serena Cruz, former Multnomah County Commissioner, was one of the most outspoken on this front, stating in a press conference, "It’s time for our next mayor to make a tough decision," and promising to actively campaign against Sam Adams if he voted against the renaming. Cruz wasn't the only one, though:
“2008 is around the corner, and we are watching,” warned Charlene McGee, the new head of the local NAACP chapter.
I, personally, am still fairly undecided on the renaming issue. While I am sympathetic to the dire need for Portland to help promote community, I guess I'm just too stupid to see how this is an issue about civil rights. Whose rights? Is this because the pro-renaming side is pissed off that they might not get their way after the community turned out in such large numbers against the renaming? There certainly seems to be a great deal of threats and anger in the pro-renaming rhetoric.
Since I am undecided, perhaps this more easily offends me, but going after Sam and threatening to campaign against him if he doesn't vote how they want just seems childish. It sounds like something out of American foreign policy - vote this way in the UN or we'll stop giving you any aid. Their main problem is they came out and said it directly. Overall, the whole situation just makes me pretty pissed off.
Erik Sten has it right.
“I think I’m voting on a false choice, a choice that’s been created by politics and not the real world of possiblity. The choice is really going to be, which aggrieved party do you stand with?” And after the vote, Sten will “keep talking to people” in an attempt to mend the rift. “I don’t think this is going to heal as easily as [Potter] thinks.”
Christ. This mess is disgusting.
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Comments from site editors have a darker background than comments from everybody else.I am against the rename of Interstate Ave. I don't understand why the people that want to change the name are not will to work with the community to come up with a solution. I find it selfish that they are only thinking of their wants. Even though I am not for changing the name, I would still like to work out some sort of solution. I think we as people should be the ones to decide to change a street name. Personally I think it would not hurt anyone in the political seat to vote against the change. The fact is more people oppose the name change. Racism has nothing to do with not changing the name. It is about our community and our historic values we have for certain places in Portland. It is not right for anyone to take this away from us.
Jesse
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It's important to note that the entire process has completely circumvented the codified process for renaming streets.
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