Efforts to Rename Brady Arts District

[AquaMan]

I don't share that sentiment and I find few who do. For instance, why would you let Lee School, named after a confederate general, off the hook just because Lee didn't live here?

The people at the time, ca 1917, obviously thought highly of the man and were perhaps making a statement about their racial and political preferences. It was an all white neighborhood at that time.

[Conan71]

There is a difference between a street named after a place somewhere else that was named after someone creepy and a street named for someone who was creepy here in Tulsa.

I don't care that Burling was a creep in Connecticut or the Greenwood was a confederate judge in Arkansas.

I do care that Tate Brady was a creep right here in Tulsa.

I think if you wanted to re-name a street in north Tulsa Jefferson Davis Avenue, it would create quite the shite storm.

[AngieB]

There is a difference between a street named after a place somewhere else that was named after someone creepy and a street named for someone who was creepy here in Tulsa.

I don't care that Burling was a creep in Connecticut or the Greenwood was a confederate judge in Arkansas.

I do care that Tate Brady was a creep right here in Tulsa.

Well, that's convenient. 

[Conan71]

I heard on the radio today that Mayor Bartlet (sic) is against re-naming Brady Street saying time would be better spent examining what parts of Tulsa are economically under-served.  You know, which parts aren't getting their "stuff".

[Townsend]

I heard on the radio today that Mayor Bartlet (sic) is against re-naming Brady Street saying time would be better spent examining what parts of Tulsa are economically under-served. 

That would be the entire city depending on what is being served economically.

[AngieB]

I heard on the radio today that Mayor Bartlet (sic) is against re-naming Brady Street saying time would be better spent examining what parts of Tulsa are economically under-served.  You know, which parts aren't getting their "stuff".

Mayor Bartlett's statement on Facebook:

"After hearing from local businesses owners about the amount of time and resources it would take to rename their business and change their addresses I am inclined to not support changing the name of Brady Street. Tulsa should not to try to erase it's past but rather we should learn from our mistakes and build an even stronger community. What do you think Tulsa?"

[AquaMan]

Bartlett. That guy's running for office isn't he? Sound like maybe some quid pro quo going on there?

[sgrizzle]

I agree with Dewey on something

So... That's one.

[DTowner]

Seriously, whatever your position on renaming Brady St./District, it was impossible not to chuckle at the discovery that newly preferred street name has slave trade connections.  I think the mayor's tone and approach to this issue is correct.

[carltonplace]

City Council will debate the potential change on Thursday even though most Tulsans and Brady Business members believe that we should not sweep our history under the rug. 

I recommend "Unity Avenue" which acknowleges the history, the progess we have made and still need to make and removes the name that is irritating to some.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Seriously, whatever your position on renaming Brady St./District, it was impossible not to chuckle at the discovery that newly preferred street name has slave trade connections.  I think the mayor's tone and approach to this issue is correct.

They just need to name it after me...I have no connections to any slave trade past or future!

[patric]

City Council will debate the potential change on Thursday even though most Tulsans and Brady Business members believe that we should not sweep our history under the rug. 

Ah, the good old days...




When Police Chief John Gustafson went on trial in July 1921, only one of the five counts dealt with the riot. The other four involved corruption in office, including the charge that an auto theft ring was being run out of the Police Department.

There were other problems. The chief of detectives was caught in flagrante delicto with a female prisoner on a desk at the police station. His No. 2 had to be periodically rescued from angry husbands - even more scandalously for the times, from angry black husbands - who objected to him "interfering with their women."

One officer punched out the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, who had been arrested for "jay-driving."

Allegedly, a 17-year-old girl was held on a bogus vagrancy charge until her stepfather came up with the $20 he owed a cop.

It wasn't all about the police. A woman shot her ex-husband to death in a dispute over a sewing machine. A 13-year-old girl at Leonard was molested by her widowed father; the girl's adult sister said he did the same to her as a child.

In west Tulsa, and in most of Greenwood, people lived in unimaginable poverty ignored by the population at large. Small pox and venereal disease were rampant.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Randy_Krehbiel_Looking_back_at_Tulsas_sordid_past/20130805_11_a9_goingt484402?subj=1

[TMS]

In response to "I value honest history even if it offends", I think the point here is that no matter what the history (I greatly value truthful history too, and thanks to those who have posted enlightening links here), the historical account of the Brady family and what it represented in the history of Tulsa should not be celebrated in today's culture. The objection, the way I'm reading it, is in the celebration of the name by developing a street name into a "district" name, etc. (Which brings to mind, has Arlo's past been sufficiently researched to make sure even the Gutrhrie name would pass the muster of today's political correctness?)


..just my $0.02 worth. Your mileage may vary.

[Hoss]

They tabled the vote until next week since there was a tie (only 8 councilors present this evening and indications were 4-4 without a 'formal' vote).  What a giant waste of time, but listening to the councilors, I'm not sure it will pass.  I don't know the leanings of the absent coucilperson (Lakin).

[BKDotCom]

(the Joe Public speakers were a big circus...)

I thought Bynum and Blake gave very good speeches.
I'm going to agree with Henderson on something..   3 of the 4 unofficial nays were of the "my constituents are against it. sorry, I'm going to vote no"  I'll let the first guy slide since he was the first councilman to speak.   Other two:  pretty weak.

I was a "this is a waste of time", "don't whitewash the past", "it's now just a name"  guy
I certainly don't think changing the name is going to unite anyone.

That said,
Bynum & Blake have swayed my vote.