In the early 21st Century, however, the names of Allen and Pike
Streets are under fire by political groups which would like to rename
these streets to match the poitical times of the day.
In 2004, United Neighborhoods to Revitalize Allen & Pike Streets
(UNRAP), a coalition of neighborhood organizations, hired Project
for Public Spaces (PPS) to undertake a community-based study of
Allen and Pike Streets.
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They would like to transform Sara Roosevelt Park into a grand pedestrian
friendly boulevard and rename Allen and Pike Streets, "Avenue
of the Immigrants". You may review their proposal here.
In April 2004, the NYC Council approved the "co-naming"
of the streets Read the report here.
In April 2006, the Hester Street Collaborative got on board with
UNRAP. Read the article in The Villager here. |
Editorial: New York City is certainly the Immigration
Capitol of the World and the United States has been the most successful
country the world as ever seen. Over the course of three hundred
years, however, history naturally occurs. Hidden beneath the gesture
to wipe out the names of the war heroes of 1812, Pike and Allen,
is the ME ME ME new immigrant sentiment that is pervasive in the
USA at the start of the 21st Century. ME ME ME NOW NOW NOW slaps
at the history of the country which enabled the new immigrants to
have the opportunity the US offers.
There is a need to restore the park. There is no need to rename,
or "co-name" as the current municipal manglers deftly
say, the streets. |
Lieutenant-Colonel William Allen was a war hero in his day as was
General Pike. New York City's municipal officers of the day were grateful
to them for their service to this country and dedicated these streets
to the men for giving their lives for this country.
The current wave of immigrants to New York should be grateful to
these men and cherish their memories, not co-opt a shallow opportunity
to diminish their contributions and replace it with spotlights on
themselves. |
