Renamed schools, streets mark early tributes to Obama

[babylonsister]

Renamed schools, streets mark early tributes to Obama

By Marisol Bello, USA TODAY


Cities and school boards are naming streets and buildings after President Obama, breaking with the tradition of waiting until a president is out of office.

• Ludlum Elementary School in Hempstead, N.Y., on Long Island, was renamed after Obama in November. A school in Portland, Ore., is deliberating a similar change.

• Opa-Locka, Fla., renamed one of its main city streets in December. Hollywood, Fla., is considering doing the same.

• St. Louis made an honorary name change to a busy road that used to divide white and black neighborhoods. The postal address is still Delmar Boulevard, but the city will post signs that also designate the street Barack Obama Boulevard.

The tributes are bound to continue, says Indiana University history professor Edward Linenthal.

"On the one hand, you can say it's premature," says Linenthal, editor of the Journal of American History. Obama's administration has yet to make its own history, he says. "On the other hand, you can argue that what has happened is extraordinary and astonishing in American history ... and the naming of streets and schools reflects that sense."

John Gillis, editor of the book Commemorations: The Politics of National Identity, says he does not know of instances of presidents being commemorated while they were in office, let alone before they took office, as some of the changes were.

more...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-01-25-renaming_N.htm

[brooklynite]

1. I'm not in favor of naming things after people who are alive...

...and especially an elected official who's still in office. Let's wait until the sum total of their accomplishments can be considered to determine if commemoration is merited.

[davidpdx]

8. Yes, I agree. I think it is jumping the gun a bit

It's nice that they want to honor him, but wait at least until he's out of office. I'm from Oregon and lived in Portland for a long time before moving overseas. I hope the school decides to put off changing their name until the future.

[alwysdrunk]

2. Damn, talk about EARLY

This is part of that extra pressure that Obama will have. Good thing he knew he would have it and is prepared for that.

[FrenchieCat]

3. I wish they'd rename Bush Street in San Francisco Obama Street......

That would be soooo cool!

[Cha]

4. On my hand...you could say

"we've been waiting 8 freakin' years for this"!

[windbreeze]

5. And to think AFTER 8 years in office, NO ONE wants to house a library named after Bush....

I think it's hilarious.....wb

[ACTION BASTARD]

6. I'd rename a certain popular rest stop along the NJ turnpike for Bush.

[LiberalFighter]

7. Hopefully, one of these days things named for Reagan will be erased.