Where Did I Parks My Sign

Not to give everyone a history lesson, but the name Tara is pretty synonymous with the South...hello "Gone With the Wind." Another name that people know, but may not pair with the South is Rosa Parks. As we all know Rosa died a few weeks ago, and the city of Atlanta wants to rename the road Tara Blvd to Rosa Parks. It is an honor to memorialize Mrs. Parks for what she did and her achievement for the advancement for civil rights, but what about the civil rights of those who did grow up in the South and where the name Tara means something to them?

This name change has created a huge stir with the locals. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution has a section called the vent where anyone can send in their opinion and it will be published. Now opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one. Comments are being said like, they should name a park after her, or the Clayton Co. busline, or a building, or make a memorial. Some have asked why does Atlanta have to do anything because she is not even from Atlanta, she is from Alabama? Most of the people responding express they are offended by the name change, because the city is taking away their heritage by removing a huge part of their history.

In addition to the Rosa Parks comments, people now want to know how far Atlanta will go. It seems over the last few years Atlanta has been changing names of things to African Americans from the community. The airport was recently changed to a past major of Atlanta's name. Not sure why, he didn't invent sliced bread? One comment written was they should call Atlanta PCville, another asks when will their street be renamed to Snoop Dogwood Lane?

Has the name changing gotten out of hand and are we as a society trying too hard to please the masses? Why are we trying to cover up one heritage with another to sweep away the past. It just doesn't make sense. GA makes it's money off of tourism and people come to see the sites of "Gone With the Wind." Tara Blvd plays a big part of that history and most of the path people will take is Tara Blvd to see the historic homes and battle fields. I would think it would be kind of odd to drive down Rosa Parks Ave looking at confederate battlegrounds. But that's just me.

I'd say, if Atlanta wants to do something for Rosa Parks, make a statue, place it in a downtown park with a description of her accomplishments, and call it a day. Win-win and everyone goes home happy.

Peace,
DeMo