The Kansas City chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC-KC) approached the Parks Department about renaming Paseo (brace yourself) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (MLK Blvd). On the surface, it seemed t) be a noble gesture toward a fallen, influential Civil Rights activist. However, the Parks Department said "no" to MLK Blvd. That should have been the end of the discussion concerning Paseo.
That would not be the case. After being rejected by the Parks Department, SCLC-KC turned to the City Council for support. The Council laid out the guidelines, which included obtaining 75% of affirmative signatures from residents and business owners on Paseo. That meant SCLC-KC needed to obtain roughly 7,000 signatures to proceed with the name change. Reportedly, SCLC-KC obtained roughly 125 signatures. Again, that should have ended the discussion concerning Paseo.
SCLC-KC continued its push, turning again to the City Council for support. The Council acted outside its authority in voting to change the name from Paseo to MLK Blvd - to the dissent of many residents.
What do you mean the Council acted outside its authority? Per the City charter and ordinance, the renaming of a boulevard lies with two groups: The Parks Department and the residents and shareholders of that boulevard. SCLC-KC, nor the Council had a right to change Paseo and by doing so, broke ordinance and public trust.
Why is Kansas City against honoring Dr. King? Honestly, the city is not against honoring Dr. King, contrary to what Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, and their supporters propagate. Although Kansas City is one of two major cities without a street commemorating Dr. King (San Diego being the other), Kansas City has a park which leadership has allowed to lay barren (more on that later), a middle school that has been closed since 2016 and lies dormant and unused by the City or the School District, and had a hospital that closed decades ago that bore Dr. King's name. Before Paseo was hijacked, there were proposals for renaming other streets (18th, 23rd, 27th, 31st, and 63rd - to name a few), but were objected and never explored. To conceptualize why Paseo is significant to Kansas City, browse this article.
What about the people who sought to reverse the name change? The Save the Paseo Group (now named Saved the Paseo) is comprised of over 1,400 members and supporters of the cause. The backgrounds are diverse. Contrary to the pictures painted, the group has a staggering amount of Black and Latin representation. Considering the makeup of Kansas City, per the latest data is roughly 60% White, 29% Black, with other races/nationalities comprising the rest. A casual glace at the group Facebook page, reflects approximately 40% Black members, 50% White members, and the remaining 10% of other backgrounds. This movement, contrary to the statements of detractors like Dr. Vernon Howard, the president of SCLC-KC, was not racially motivated.
Why all of this fight over a street? The fight was not actually about the street, but more about people with no voice being given a voice to combat the bullying that they have endured for decades in Kansas City. The fight just happened to center upon a street and a beloved and revered Civil Rights icon. The overwhelming sentiment of people who opposed the MLK Blvd change was that they were not consulted and they were treated like they did not know what was best for them.
What is the plan now? There are several proposals in the works for meaningful and unique ways to honor Dr. King. The first is revitalizing the MLK Memorial Park that has gone largely neglected. The City Council commissioned work to be done with Brush Creek and the park was placed in a flood zone. Correcting the Brush Creek issue will allow the revitalization of the MLK Park to go forward. The second suggestion, which was presented to SCLC-KC and the Council is the name the new airport terminal in honor of Dr. King. The new airport should be fully operational in 2022. Third, there is already a petition circulating around Kansas City to rename JC Nichols Pkwy to MLK Dr. That one is a bit sticky, much like Paseo. There are other less-developed ideas. Mayor Quinton Lucas has unveiled steps all citizens should take in finding ways to honor Dr. King. There is a "90-day gathering period" where citizens and shareholders may weigh in with ideas. Stay tuned!
Why is Kansas City against honoring Dr. King? Honestly, the city is not against honoring Dr. King, contrary to what Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, and their supporters propagate. Although Kansas City is one of two major cities without a street commemorating Dr. King (San Diego being the other), Kansas City has a park which leadership has allowed to lay barren (more on that later), a middle school that has been closed since 2016 and lies dormant and unused by the City or the School District, and had a hospital that closed decades ago that bore Dr. King's name. Before Paseo was hijacked, there were proposals for renaming other streets (18th, 23rd, 27th, 31st, and 63rd - to name a few), but were objected and never explored. To conceptualize why Paseo is significant to Kansas City, browse this article.
What about the people who sought to reverse the name change? The Save the Paseo Group (now named Saved the Paseo) is comprised of over 1,400 members and supporters of the cause. The backgrounds are diverse. Contrary to the pictures painted, the group has a staggering amount of Black and Latin representation. Considering the makeup of Kansas City, per the latest data is roughly 60% White, 29% Black, with other races/nationalities comprising the rest. A casual glace at the group Facebook page, reflects approximately 40% Black members, 50% White members, and the remaining 10% of other backgrounds. This movement, contrary to the statements of detractors like Dr. Vernon Howard, the president of SCLC-KC, was not racially motivated.
Why all of this fight over a street? The fight was not actually about the street, but more about people with no voice being given a voice to combat the bullying that they have endured for decades in Kansas City. The fight just happened to center upon a street and a beloved and revered Civil Rights icon. The overwhelming sentiment of people who opposed the MLK Blvd change was that they were not consulted and they were treated like they did not know what was best for them.
What is the plan now? There are several proposals in the works for meaningful and unique ways to honor Dr. King. The first is revitalizing the MLK Memorial Park that has gone largely neglected. The City Council commissioned work to be done with Brush Creek and the park was placed in a flood zone. Correcting the Brush Creek issue will allow the revitalization of the MLK Park to go forward. The second suggestion, which was presented to SCLC-KC and the Council is the name the new airport terminal in honor of Dr. King. The new airport should be fully operational in 2022. Third, there is already a petition circulating around Kansas City to rename JC Nichols Pkwy to MLK Dr. That one is a bit sticky, much like Paseo. There are other less-developed ideas. Mayor Quinton Lucas has unveiled steps all citizens should take in finding ways to honor Dr. King. There is a "90-day gathering period" where citizens and shareholders may weigh in with ideas. Stay tuned!
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