By Ann Mesrobian
Earlier this year, the Black Lives Matters movement inspired leaders in Fort Smith to strip the name of Albert Pike, a confederate general and a vociferous white supremacist, from an elementary school and a major N-S arterial. We had a Pike Street here in Fayetteville too, and Ann Mesrobian, who resides on the one-block-long street decided it was time to follow Fort Smith’s example.
She proposed to the City of Fayetteville that Pike Street be renamed. After choosing Gecko Lane from a list of pre-approved street names provided by Fayetteville’s GIS department, she gathered signatures of support from her neighbors and submitted them with her proposal to the City Council. Following discussion during the agenda-setting meeting held on 12/8, this item was bundled with several others in the consent agenda for the Dec 15th City Council meeting where it was swiftly approved.
But during discussion at the 12/8 meeting, outgoing council member Kyle Smith suggested that there were probably several streets in the city limits with names that ought to be changed. Others agreed. While the Council will not lead such an effort, members have effectively been put on notice that change is needed, and they seem motivated to facilitate the process should the community take the lead.
No volunteer has yet stepped forward to coordinate a city-wide project, but a number of parents and educators have expressed interest in participating. This project lends itself to be adopted as a school project since it involves civics, history, vocabulary, geology, urban planning, leadership, and many other life lessons. It also teaches that participating in democracy leads to real change, and that even something as symbolic as a street name can impact the way people feel and behave.
Individuals or groups could start by identifying street names they think should be changed and contacting the City to begin the process. Stay tuned for updates, and in the meantime, spread the word that Fayetteville is primed for a “language lift” and all we need to do is participate.
Rename That Street!
