Lemon Grove Neighbor Creates Memorial to King

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."—Martin Luther King, Jr.

We just celebrated the national holiday for Martin Luther King Jr., a man who led a movement with the seemingly simple idea of equal treatment for all people. San Diego has a rather spotty history when it comes to honoring the slain civil rights leader. In this Los Angeles Times article from 1989, we are reminded of the failed attempts to rename Market Street, and, later, the Convention Center, for King.

The name change for Market Street was initially approved by the San Diego City Council, but was then voted down overwhelmingly in 1987 in a racially tinted referendum. Market Street should have kept the name change to Martin Luther King Boulevard. This was an obvious choice, since from the 1920s-'60s, Market Street was the black community’s home for entertainment venues, from music clubs to restaurants. Even King’s widow, Coretta, mentioned on a visit to San Diego that renaming the street would be a fitting honor for her late husband.

A few years later, the port commissioners decided “San Diego Convention Center” was a better name for marketing purposes. After the center opened, it was boycotted for five years by African-American convention groups.

The bad press helped to eventually lead civic leaders in 1989, as sort of a consolation prize, to rename California state Route 94, which stretches from downtown to just past Lemon Grove, as the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway.

Another tribute is the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade in downtown San Diego. This half-mile urban trail features a pedestrian walkway with granite nameplates memorializing Dr. King’s words. It is a beautiful walk on a sunny day.

Our neighbor community of Broadway Heights, bounded on the north and east by the city of Lemon Grove, has claimed the honor of naming a street for King. On Nov. 6, 2010, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Councilman Tony Young in attendance. What was once Weston Street now bears the famous civil rights leader's name.

This story did not get a lot of press. It was a grassroots idea started by the Broadway Heights Community Youth Council. According to Young’s website, the group had meetings, passed out fliers, collected signatures on petitions, and completed all the other required details. This led to a vote of the City Council, which unanimously passed the resolution renaming the street.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way is a short street—just one block—on a hill. I think Dr. King would be proud, and might have commented that the road is short, and sometimes it is uphill, but if you keep walking you can get to your destination.

Have you seen the video of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech? Here is a link.

Peace.