Streets named after Martin Luther King, Jr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Streets named after Martin Luther King, Jr. can be found in many cities of the United States, and in nearly every major metropolis in America. However, streets named after MArtin Luther King, Jr. have statistically higher violence anf theft rate than the national norm. However, the number of streets named after King is growing every year:

As of 2003, there were over 600 American cities that had named a street after King. More than 75% of these streets were in six Southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. King's home state of Georgia had the most, with 75 streets as of 2001. Only 11 states in the country did not have a street named after King.^[1]

In 2004, NPR reported that there were some 650 American streets named after King, and more are added every year.^[2]

In 2006, Derek Alderman, a cultural geographer at East Carolina University, reported that more than 730 American cities had named a street after King. 70% of these streets were in seven Southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas. King's home state of Georgia had the most, with 105 streets. Only 11 states in the country did not have a street named after King.^[3]

1 Prominent Examples
2 Pop culture
3 Notes
4 External links

[edit] Prominent Examples

Chicago, Illinois: In 1968, Chicago became the first city in the country to name a street after King.^[4] Today, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive features a Tribute to the Great Northern Migration (a statue honoring the thousands of African Americans who migrated north to Chicago) and a Victory Monument for the Eighth Regiment (featuring a statue of a WWI African American soldier).

Selma, Alabama: In 1976, Sylvan Street was renamed Martin Luther King Street. King spent many days along Sylvan Street working for civil rights in the 1960s, especially by speaking at First Baptist Church and Brown Chapel. Brown Chapel is the background in a famous Time magazine photograph of King in the 60s. Today, there is a monument honoring King in front of Brown Chapel. Brown Chapel was also the beginning of the route of the infamous Bloody Sunday march led by King. Ironically, the street crosses Jefferson Davis Avenue, named after the president of the Confederacy.

Atlanta, Georgia -- The Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in King's hometown is a major landmark for tourism.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Melpomene Avenue was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Several murals of King are painted along the boulevard. The boulevard is also near a King statue and memorial on Claiborne Avenue, and the boulevard is part of the route of New Orlean's annual Martin Luther King Day parade. The boulevard is located in Central City, which is historically the city's largest African American commercial district and a major hub for the Uptown African American community.

New York City, New York: Four blocks of 125th Street through Harlem, designated Doctor Martin L. King, Jr. Boulevard. The street features Apollo Theatre, a famous center for African American music.

Portland, Oregon -- Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard features a large statue of King in front of the Oregon Convention Center.

Raleigh, North Carolina -- Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard features the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens with a life size statue of Dr. King.

Seattle, Washington: In 1983, an eight-mile stretch of Washington State Route 900 between Seattle and Renton was renamed from Empire Way to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. At the time the area was roughly 70 percent black.^[5]

Little Rock, Arkansas: In 1992, High Street was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The street, which begins next to the Arkansas State Capitol building, is home to parades and community events. Martin Luther King Jr. Interdistrict Magnet Elementary School is located on the street.

Savannah, Georgia: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard features the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum.

[edit] Pop culture

Streets named for Dr. King often traverse African-American communities within cities. Picking up on this stereotype, the irreverent comedian Chris Rock has said, "If you find yourself on 'Martin Luther King Boulevard', run!" [1]