Rue Rosa Parks?
Feb 2nd, 2006 | 10:57 PM
#4
Joined: May 2005
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I prefer streets that are not named after people. Street identifications should not be political popularity contests. Although I suppose naming them after people is better than numbering them—something that is never done in Paris (there are no "Seventh Streets" or the like in Paris).
Feb 3rd, 2006 | 04:45 AM
#7
Joined: Nov 2004
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I'm sure it all depends on one's definition of "political."
I suspect there are parts of the US in which Ms. Parks would be the very last person to have much of anything named after her, much less something as enduring as a street.
This sort of gesture certainly isn't new and seems indicative of Paris given a Metro stop named after folks such as FDR.
This gesture will last far longer than any politically-driven demonization of all-thingsFrench campaign which has appealed to so many of the uninformed.
I suspect there are parts of the US in which Ms. Parks would be the very last person to have much of anything named after her, much less something as enduring as a street.
This sort of gesture certainly isn't new and seems indicative of Paris given a Metro stop named after folks such as FDR.
This gesture will last far longer than any politically-driven demonization of all-thingsFrench campaign which has appealed to so many of the uninformed.
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Feb 3rd, 2006 | 05:57 AM
#10
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
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I will be staying at a Hotel on "Rue Descartes", named for the first mathemetician to describe the "Cartesian coordinate system". This is a good opportunity to reinforce this important aspect of our Western history to my daughters, and hopefully this will make their study of math and science more relevant. (It will also reinforce their impression that dad is a terminal geek) Naming streets after historical figures should reinforce the importance of the historical contribution, rather than just making a political statement, a philosophy we have departed from here in the States, as evidenced by the all-too-frequent blather: "Welcome to the President-recently-deposed-by-not-dead- yet BusyHub airport!" Paris is a historical city, and their streets should be named for historical figures.
Bravo!
Bravo!
Feb 3rd, 2006 | 02:08 PM
#12
Joined: Jan 2003
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How do you feel about the French (and Spanish and Italian) custom of naming streets after significant dates? It strikes us in the UK as odd, I think (and as far as I know there's only one in Berlin, and it doesn't happen at all in the Netherlands); but I suppose it serves as a useful reminder - as indeed do the street name plaques themselves in many parts of Paris, which give you a little biography underneath. In London, you're lucky if you can find the name of some streets at all.
Feb 3rd, 2006 | 02:15 PM
#13
Joined: Jan 2003
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Agreed, PatrickLondon, about the city of London, not to mention many other venues.
Yes, I agree about the date thing, too. Can't imagine a street called July 4th, yet no American would dispute the importance of that date in American history. However, each culture has its own perception of how to honor important things...I used to think French currency much more interesting than American because Delacroix and Debussy appeared on their notes instead of Presidents!
BC
Yes, I agree about the date thing, too. Can't imagine a street called July 4th, yet no American would dispute the importance of that date in American history. However, each culture has its own perception of how to honor important things...I used to think French currency much more interesting than American because Delacroix and Debussy appeared on their notes instead of Presidents!
BC
