Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Dallas’ Industrial Boulevard “vote” discounts Latinos’ wishes
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The Latino swing vote has arrived early and if Dallas city officials are any indication, it will be an unsettling experience for the nation. Dallas is not unlike hundreds of other metropolitan cities across the country — creating new urban developments to take their city into the 21st Century. It never seems to matter that to get there whole sections of the city that housed original settlements of the first ethnic citizens have to be demolished in the process. It's called progress.
Dallas skyline as seen across the Trinity River.
In Dallas' case, it was the misfortune of the area known as "Little Mexico" that it occupied the most prime real estate in Big D. Today, little is left of what was once a bustling, self-contained community. To people outside of these communities, little sympathy is offered for old and dated buildings when sleek, glass skyscrapers or mega, multipurpose arenas can take their places.
Yet for the people who can trace their family line to these communities, the demolition is painful because it essentially wipes away any testament to the fact that "they were there." And in Dallas' case, the city has always had an uneasy relationship with its Latino community. The point has never been more clearly seen than what is currently happening regarding the city's Latino population, some city officials and a guy by the name of Cesar Chavez.
To give a bit of backstory: The Trinity River is an eyesore of an area for Dallas. It winds itself along the shadow of the city's skyline and essentially separates the north and south sides of the city. During the rainy season, it's not unusual for the river's banks to flood and create a massive dirty lake. City officials have long wanted to create an area that addressed the flood problems but also added an aesthetic element that would attract families from all over the Metroplex to make the out-of-the-way trip downtown and spend some time in the revamped area.
The designed look for the Trinity River project.
Plans have been underway for the multibillion-dollar Trinity River project that would include remaking the river corridor with a park, lakes and hiking trails. A major Dallas thoroughfare, Industrial Boulevard, that would lead into this new Trinity River area is also going to be undergoing some revamping of its own. One element is to rename the street. Whether to be seen as more democratic or to show they knew how to interact with their constituents using new technology, the Dallas City Council's Trinity River Corridor Project Committee gave the OK to ask for suggestions for new names for the street from the residents.
Suggestions were made and in a City Council-sponsored poll, voters were led to believe that the suggested name with the most votes would be bestowed on the street. Among the suggestions was that the boulevard be named Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Other suggestions were the name of a current Texas Congressional Representative and other names that were more closely associated with the Trinity River project like Riverfront Boulevard and Trinity Lakes Boulevard.
Well, polling was complete, via Internet and telephone, and votes were tallied, and by an overwhelming majority (52%), Cesar Chavez was the name of choice. The name that came in a distant second place was Riverfront Boulevard at 18.8%. Yet, city officials didn't release the winner's name with much fanfare. It wasn't realized until a local newspaper reported on it that city officials appeared nervous about the results. Some began discounting the poll saying "This was not a contest. This was a public survey. The process was not scientific." Others have been saying that they favor one of the names that had more to do with the river project itself. Yet when the poll was presented to the public for voting, the distinction that this vote didn't count, and was only for survey purposes, was not made.
The Dallas Latino community saw the name of a man whose legacy is revered throughout Latino communities in the nation and, maybe learning well the lessons of these early presidential candidate primaries, exercised their right to vote for the name of a man who signifies fighting for justice. But this vote is something that the City of Dallas is not accustomed to seeing. They are used to the Dallas Latino community making noise but never following up with action that can really make a difference — and that action is the act of voting.
Ironically, one name has already been bestowed on a major architectural feat to be featured in the Trinity River area — a beautiful bridge designed by renowned architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava. The bridge's name will be the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. While the bridge actually passes over the Trinity River area, unlike the boulevard that runs parallel to it, there was no fuss over making the name of the bridge fit better with the project.
Today the Dallas City Council's Trinity River Corridor Project Committee is going to endorse one of the names. If they're smart, they'll endorse the name that won by a landslide. If they discount it, they are delivering a message that is so mid-twentieth century — that the votes of Latinos don't count. Back in the 50s, 60, 70s, and even 80s, they got away with discounting the wishes of the Latino community. In this day and age, they've gotten away with demolishing the original settlement of the first Latinos in the city by claiming the area for progress — but no more.
Dallas County is now majority Latino and they have spoken in a way that is new and obviously disturbing to a group not accustomed to seeing Latinos' votes make a difference. But the lesson learned from this simple street name vote is that Latino votes still won't matter unless they're honored, respected and recognized — and it will be up to Latino voters to ensure that happens.
Pegasus News content partner - Latina Lista
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Comments
Scott Doyle Verified
While I'm obviously not a fan of the city council's shenanigans, gotta say Austin beat us to the punch on naming a major street Cesar Chavez.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
jtmbls Anonymous
...And oh how I miss "Little Mexico"! Good thing there is still a Big Mexico to appreciate.
My hometown has changed quite a bit too. Not much left to remind anyone that I was there either. Change, although sometimes painful, is inevitable and not exclusive to any particular culture.
It seems to me that the only people who actually care about the name of the street are the ones who voted, so let them have their name. They definitely could have done a better job with the bridge name – No offense to Margaret, who ever she might be – It’s missing a little flair.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Robert Kelly Verified
I don't see how any name other than Chavez means latino votes don't count. It wasn't a vote, it was a poll. Voting is what you do at the fire station.
And someone please advise me of Chavez connection to Dallas, I have no idea what he ever did here.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Alex Bentley Staff
Robert, as Marisa pointed out, Cesar Chavez was one of the choices because it was "the name of a man who signifies fighting for justice" for many Latinos. Does he have a tenuous connection to Dallas? Sure, but so do Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
This process was a two-step process: Suggesting possible names and then voting for a new name. It's obvious that enough people, most likely Latinos, cared enough to not only get Cesar Chavez on the "ballot," but to overwhelmingly choose it as the new name. Why do the poll in the first place if you're just going to ignore the results?
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Susan Thornton Verified
Just read that the idiots at City Hall are now suggesting renaming Jefferson for Chavez, to mollify whomever "stuffed the ballot box." Do you think they'll poll all the business owners on Jefferson to see how excited they are about it?
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Only if the owners agreed to let city council members laugh in their faces once the results are in...
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
jtmbls Anonymous
Okay - Well at least someone cared enough to "stuff the ballot box." Don't they have anything better to do at City Hall? We need to start shipping in water from Arlington.
Cute kitties Susan!
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
DC Anonymous
City hall told everyone to get lost on this thing, not just the latinos.
For example, apparently Jail Blvd isn't going to float, either.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Robert Kelly Verified
Well the answer Alex is they shouldn't have done the poll in the first place. But it's not like this city council isn't known for screwing up pretty much everything they touch.
What is it with every race wanting a street or two for their national hero? How long before the Japanese ask for a Fred Korematsu Blvd? Why not name it for someone who has local significance? Is Dallas really that devoid of civil rights heroes?
I like the Jefferson idea, if this wad of online voters can come up with the cash for all the business owners to change their stationary, I think the city can come up with new signs
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rawlins Gilliland Verified
Look, I marched FOR Caesar Chavez and boycotted grapes with the best. He is a national hero. But it makes zero sense in the context of this plan to name Industrial with the name of any one person, let alone one whose roots to Dallas are entho-cultural rather than Dallas specific. I would have rather seen Stanley Marcus or Stevie Ray Vaughan if we're giving names of Dallas native people. Not because I am Jewish...I am not...not because I am an Oak Cliff rocker...I am not regularly.... but because it is Dallas specific.
That said, NO name would will approval for the very reason you object here, Marisa... and the above post suggests . I say the logical way to go is to name it after what it is.... the lakefront or riverfront road.
If Jefferson wants to become Chavez Ave. can we rename Buckner Tito Puente? And who the heck was Jim Miller or Harry Hines, R.L. Cullum? I'd prefer Miguel Martinez (founder of Dallas' El Fenix restaurants) or Adelaida Cuellar (founder of Dallas' El Chico). THAT's Dallas history!
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
I am humbly willing to allow my name to be used for any street Our City Fathers deem needs the pick-me-up.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
jtmbls Anonymous
OOO!! Yummy Swirls!! Wait...who invented the Swirl? We definitely need to name something after that guy!
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified
Avenida de La Llorona
This is the perfect name because it’s Texas folklore, it’s Hispanic, it has something to do with a river AND it has a built in warning.
Perfect.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
jtmbls Anonymous
And it's really hard to say after too much Sangria.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified
That's the fun of it, jtmbls!
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
bobdon000 Anonymous
Cesar Chavez is NOT a national hero. He was a union organizer who used a variety of tactics to gain power for the UFW. The UFW and Chavez have been accused of of using violence against farm workers who resisted organizing efforts. This claim is made by many field workers and non-UFW farm worker associations.
Chavez is alot of things to alot of people, but national hero is not one of them.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Poop Ave, imo.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
RollingThunder1975 Anonymous
Von Erich Drive :)
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified
bobdonooo: and Texas is a Right to Work state.
Smell of conflict.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Susan Thornton Verified
They're delaying the vote to August 5 (http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/). Morons.
Love Von Erich Drive. I'd wanted to rename it the Three Teardrops Memorial Parkway.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Susan Thornton Verified
Meant Three Teardrops Tavern Memorial Parkway...
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rick Yost Verified
Sometimes you'll see a mentally challenged person do something slightly stupid (step on a garden rake, look at their watch while holding a drink, etc.) Basically harmless flubs- except to themselves. You just look the other way and let them deal with it.
Let's just let the Council name the damned thing whatever they want, look the other way while they deal with it, and then get on to other infinitely more important business.
I still like Robert Johnson Av., in an effort to show off the wealth of Blues music/cultural history of the city. But since I'm a white guy, I don't guess I'm supposed to have any sense of culture.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Susan Thornton Verified
Bless 'em - they've bought themselves a double ton of racial nonsense... over nothing. I live, as I've said many times, in North Oak Cliff, which stands to gain so much from the Trinity project. But this just makes me shake my head in wonderment over the idiocy.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Pavel Lishin Verified
I didn't bother reading any of the comments, but I do know that apparently that "the process", as they call it, has failed. Clearly our only option is guerilla tactics. We'll just have to remove the new street name signs and replace them with our own!
I, for one, fully support Scott's suggestion, if only because it seems like it'll be the cheapest sign to make.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Cody Meador Verified
The council should stick to the vote/poll/whatever. I drove to Austin this weekend and the convention center is on a street called Cesar Chavez (see the first comment). My friend asked, "Who was Cesar Chavez again?" - I see that as the value of naming the street. Chavez may or may not be a national hero according to who you ask, but he represents an important part of history that many people do not know about.
You can send a message to Neumann, the chair of the Corridor Project Committee, and voice your opinion here: http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/...
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rick Yost Verified
Good point- after a while everyone forgets who these people were anyway. As Rawlins mentioned- No, I don't know who Jim Miller, or Harry Hines was. Twice a day I pass an exit on 30 called 'Bobtown'. Who the hell was Bob, and where's the town?
Much Ado About Nothing.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Miller Verified
Personally, I don't see what's wrong with it being Industrial Blvd.
Whatever they end up naming it, I'm sure I'll still call it that.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Howard Wen Verified
I wanted to vote for Stanley Marcus, but I didn't see his name among the choices. What the heck was going on with this online poll?
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Clay213 Anonymous
This writer must have REALLY long arms. Because they sure are reaching.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Pavel Lishin Verified
At this point, I'm reasonably sure Harry Hines was some sort of famous pimp.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
chrisdanger Anonymous
Id rather see the road re-named after a LOCAL hero, like "Blind" Lemmon Jefferson, Stevie Ray Vaughn or heck, even Don Henley. Why be a copycat and name it after a guy who was for all intents and purposes a union thug?
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
chasd00 Anonymous
What's the problem with "Caesar Chavez St." ? The poll was taken, it's what the majority of people want, seems to me to be a no brainer.
If The City doesn't want the public to participate then don't have a freaking poll.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jason Rice Verified
Give 'em the name. Send 'em the bill.
Name stuff for the money it will bring. If they think a union organizer that actively campaigned against unchecked immigration (that'll be a shock to some) is exemplary of the the luxury market monetary development that the project purports to be, then go for it.
If they meant it as a big political statement? Then that's what it will attract, Political Statements not Money. Marketing 101.
I'm pushing for "Midtown Short-term Boondoggle Drive" but "Rue Exxon-Mobil" would answer a bunch of questions pretty quickly.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Clay213 Anonymous
Unless they retro-actively changed the site-- the poll page pretty clearly says that it will not determine the name.
Not to mention anyone could have filled it out from anywhere.
Personally, I don't want city decisions made by internet poll.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Clay213 Anonymous
And unless the poll included race as part of the questions-- how the hell does this writer know it was 'latinos' who picked the name?
That's right. She doesn't.
This article is nothing but inflammatory race baiting.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
jtmbls Anonymous
Um, maybe you didn't notice but one white guy wanted to name the street Poop...I think it would be safe to assume he didn't vote in the poll...
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Hey now, to my knowledge...every race poops.
If there was a Poop Ave option, I certainly would have voted.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Kay Anonymous
Jason, Maybe you've got something here. Perhaps they are waiting for a corporation to pay for naming rights.
On the other hand, one can only hope that the now newly White-House-Fellow-appointmented Dallas mayor isn't about to suggest naming it for the pResident.
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
jtmbls Anonymous
Oh!!! Now there it is!!! DUBYA LANE!!! Well done...Now on to solving the rest of the worlds problems...
3 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
BobS Anonymous
Lesson 1: Vote vs. Survey
A vote is legally binding. A survey is a statistical tool.
Lesson 2: Democracy, Direct vs. Representative
Direct democracy: Every whim of the electorate is realized in policy.
Representative Democracy: Every whim of elected officials is realized by selective use of unofficial surveys or anecdotes in the guise of Direct Democracy.
When AT&T calls for a customer satisfaction survey, do you actually pretend it's somehow legally binding just because you have an opinion?
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Alex Bentley Staff
BobS, the point is not that the poll was supposed to be "legally binding," but that the city council is just willfully ignoring the (supposed) opinion of its electorate.
Again, why have the poll in the first place if you're just going to ignore the results and do what you want to do anyway? Why not just bring it to a vote at a regular city council session and be done with it?
The city council gave the impression of letting the citizens have input on the name of the street, and then turned up their noses at it when the results didn't fit what they wanted. If nothing else, that's insulting the people who will be voting for you at the next election, which is obviously poor campaign strategy.
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
lo9tta Anonymous
I seem to recall that Margaret Hunt Hill, or someone in that Hunt family, paid a lot of money to get her name on that bridge. They still need contributors for the other Calatrava bridge, and I'm sure they will name it whatever you want for your money. Any takers?
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Bill Betzen Verified
I have a photo taken from Reunion Tower before it was closed for renovation last November that shows both what remains of St. Ann's school and Little Mexico, and to the west Industrial Blvd. I will be uploading this photo to http://www.studentmotivation.org/litt... where it will be at the bottom of the page. (It is not there now. To whom can I send this photo if they want it sooner?) It is good evidence as to why the renaming to Cesar Chavez would be very appropriate. Cesar Chavez worked so that the workers feeding and building this nation were not ignored. Little Mexico, where such Hispanic workers lived for almost 100 years in Dallas, cannot be forgotten! Renaming Industrial Blvd helps achieve that. The name Cesar Chavez would help honor the thousands of workers whose ancestors and contrymen used to live in Little Mexico and cross or drive down Industrial Blvd to work every day.
Do we put alternatives in a Dallas City survey we have no intention of honoring?
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
BobS Anonymous
Thanks for the nudge Alex, but Bill's point above is really nice. Lovely.
I'll go do my homework on the release of the results, because I'd be officially talking through my hat on the how and why of it but I can't imagine how you get from "take into consideration" to "mandate." But maybe I'm slow.
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
chiptex Anonymous
There already is a Cesar Chavez street in Dallas - it's the central roadway in the Farmer's Market - where it is more appropriate; since he was a champion to farm workers. So naming another street after him is a bit redundant at best - and - as some commentators have pointed out - shows a lack of imagination.
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Clay213 Anonymous
Posted on the wrong article..
Again: Unless this was changed retroactively I don't see where this big switcheroo plot that you people have worked yourselves up about comes from.. Maybe you should have just paid more attention?
'This Industrial Blvd. street name change survey is for residents of Dallas, Texas and property and business owners on Industrial Blvd. The Dallas City Council will make the final decision on the street name, but will take into consideration the results of this survey; the testimony presented at the public hearing; the recommendations of the City Plan Commission, the Subdivision Review Committee, and the Subdivision Administrator; and the street name standards in Section 51A-9.304.'
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chad Jones Staff
Well, the César Chávez Task Force is now licking its lips at Ross Avenue: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedconte...
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Michael Davis Verified
The correct map for Glendale...it's right next to Glendale Park
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en...
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
joey77 Anonymous
Why make a poll if your not going to listen to it?? This is ridiculous how can the Dallas city council ignore 52% of the votes that Cesar Chavez had... Does city council really care bout the people? I believe not, and they proved it.
1 month ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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