Kansas City moves forward to remove more street names and monuments honoring racists
Kansas City officials will examine street names and monuments to see if they should be removed because of ties to racism and slavery, under a resolution the City Council unanimously approved Thursday.
The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners is charged with creating a plan to remove city-owned memorials and monuments “of figures that held slaves, promoted racism or participated in the oppression or dehumanization of others.”
Officials say they don’t have a list in mind yet, but one city councilman pointed to a bit of Kansas City road near Loose Park with an honorary name for a Confederate major general.
The resolution, first introduced July 9, comes as the U.S. continues to face a reckoning over the history of racism and division after George Floyd was killed at the hands of Minneapolis police. Across the country, governments and other organizations are facing calls to remove statues and rename landmarks that celebrate racist historical figures and Confederate leaders.
The parks board is also taking public testimony on naming roads in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In June, the board struck the name of J.C. Nichols — known for racist housing practices — from the memorial fountain and street along the Country Club Plaza. The road is now Mill Creek Parkway, and the fountain awaits a new name.
Also in June, Jackson County Executive Frank White called for statues of President Andrew Jackson to be removed from the two county courthouses. Jackson, a slave owner, forced the relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans. The statue decision will go before voters Nov. 3.
The city’s legislation says that Kansas City, and the world, “face an unprecedented transformational moment that includes the realization that removal of monuments and symbols to a racist past is a significant step in a healing process that seeks a more just future.”
This resolution applies to memorials, including street names, that fall under the jurisdiction of the parks board and are on city-owned property.
This resolution is a change from the original legislation, which would have created a 12-member commission to do the research.
The board will also take input from civil rights and indigenous peoples’ organizations.
As an example, Councilman Eric Bunch brought up a portion of West 53rd Street off Summit Street that has an honorary name — Sterling Price Avenue — remembering a former Missouri governor and Confederate major general who was defeated nearby in the Battle of Westport.
Several of Kansas City’s major streets, such as Wornall Road and Troost Avenue, were named after slaveholders.
Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, who introduced the resolution, said that for now, no streets have been identified.
The board has the next six months to report back to the council.
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 7:34 PM.