LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor

I recently moved to Holly Springs, attracted by the fact that the city as a whole is sincerely moving toward becoming a beloved community for all who live here. The current citywide, open discussion about changing a street name to honor Ida B. Wells is evidence I made the right choice. And I know that the more Holly Springs shows that the community’s heart and soul is dedicated to a pioneer fighter for social justice, the more visitors and new residents it will attract.

I have a three-part proposal to offer. We should:

1. Place a sign saying “Ida B. Wells’ Birthplace” immediately under each Randolph Street sign, or create new street signs including this.

Many jurisdictions do something similar when they want to create a public and permanent honor.

This makes clear Holly Springs is in transformation. If the street name were just changed, within a short period of time people would forget the transformative nature of the name change. Having “Ida B. Wells’ Birthplace,” on the Randolph Street signs is a trigger for telling the story.

It avoids the burdens of address changing.

2. Re-name Memphis Street Ida B. Wells Avenue

Memphis Street is one of the main gateways into Holly Springs. Visitors coming into town on Memphis Street will know they have arrived in a special community that honors the best parts of its history.

3. Establish a commission to survey the street names, place names, informative plaques, etc. throughout Holly Springs. The commission would then make recommendations regarding having public symbols that reflect the values of Holly Springs today.

Thank you, neighbors, for launching the discussion.

Larry Rubin

Holly Springs