MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Let me start by stating emphatically that I fully support the statement Black Lives Matter, and the rationale for saying it. In too many instances, African Americans are subjected to unnecessarily harsh treatment by police, and are routinely victimized by systemic racism. But with all due respect to the Memphis City Council, renaming a stretch of Poplar Avenue downtown Black Lives Matter Avenue is not a good use of the message.
Thankfully, the council slowed its roll Tuesday – and opted instead to appoint a 15-member commission to study a host of possible name changes to streets, parks, and other public places. The commission will get citizen input and report recommendations back to the council later.
Clearly, Black Lives Matter as an official street name has support from several council members. But that does not mean it is a good idea. For one thing, applying the name to a street where the county jail and several bail bonding companies are located doesn’t do anything for me.
Where some might see symbolism, I see stereotyping. The better approach would be to give another street the honorary name Black Lives Matter – similar to a stretch of Knight Arnold honoring Ben Hooks, or Marlin Road honoring former Bar-Kays singer Larry Dodson.
I don’t question the council’s sincerity. Because black lives do matter, and systemic racism must change. The name of Poplar Avenue? Not so much. And that’s my point of view.