We liked Council Member Glen Brown Sr.’s idea to name a street to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., even if Brown hasn’t gone about it quite right.
Things are named after the civil rights icon all over the country and even in foreign countries: parks, churches, schools, streets and even restaurants all have been named for him. So it’s a bit embarrassing that Pine Bluff has missed the opportunity, especially considering that King actually came to Arkansas AM&N College to give a significant speech on ending segregation. The school, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, took heat over the controversial appearance and, based on historical readings, the Legislature reduced funding to the college the next year. But AM&N was the only institution of higher learning in the state where King spoke. So our history here with him runs deep — plenty deep to have an MLK Boulevard somewhere.
It was quickly apparent that Brown’s heart was in the right place even if his paperwork wasn’t. He said he had put forth the idea on several occasions before last week’s attempt but to no avail, but Council Member Joni Alexander, who chairs a committee that would consider such things, said she didn’t know anything about the request.
Well, there is a long to-do list to get a street renamed. We get that. It should be difficult to make that happen or else there could be constant name changes and confusion. But the list looks almost impossible to accomplish.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The city attorney said the request should come from a member of the public. But it was also said that the city’s code says that all costs associated with renaming a street – and those would be significant – would be borne by the person or entity making the request.
That would seem to be a pretty tall order. Not only does one have to have a good idea when it comes to a name change request, one also needs to have a pocketful of cash. Again, is that the way it has to work? Can we not as a city make this happen?
It’s something to think about. It’s also something to do. Dr. King was a hero to people of all colors and nationalities. We should honor him as many scores of other cities have. If Argentina can figure out a way to honor King in this way, surely Pine Bluff can.