Wednesday January 30, 2008
Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre: new name of the Metrorail station previously know as “Overtown/Arena.” I dig the nod to the Lyric (name-checked by Garrison Keillor when he was in town), but isn’t the “Historic” a little much?
I don’t know, you tell us.
I exit I-95 S at NW 8 St to get home every day. And every time I see the brown sign (brown for parks, historic sites, forests, etc…) with an arrow pointing to Historic Overtown I wonder how many tourists wander down that road instead of to the left to the Port of Miami.
“Oh hun, we still have an hour until we have to check in. Let’s explore!”
hahahahahaha
Nonee: C’mon, man, this is a guy who has no idea who Peter Sellers was. I suppose if it ain’t post 1990, why the hell worry about it.
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nonee~
Your point is that anything that HAS a history should have the word “Historical” added to its name? No knock on Overtown, but if that’s the case I can think of some places that have more of a claim.
This strikes me as straight-up patronizing.
Alesh: Your rhetoric is annoying. Of course, everything has a “history.” What’s at issue here, I think, is whether Overtown’s is worth noting. Obviously, the county thinks so and based upon Nonee’s link, which I think every South Floridian should read by the way, I tend to agree.
The fact that you think it’s “patronizing” (to who?) and “a little much” is confusing, to say the least.
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rick:you mean choice of words,or jargon, or lingo but not rhetoric.
the only reason the county deems overtown historical is because as I-95 cut through a, previously vibrant, community they promised some sort of perennial status to those who remained; which IS a text-book example of patronizing: condescension & feigned support.
that said, i don’t think it’s “a little much” because the word “historical” indicates there is something more than what appears, which may in turn promote seeking information and further understanding…something we always need more of….
No, Alesh, everything isn’t “historic” out of hand. I offered you the link, one of many available on the area, and when I asked for your assessment I was being sincere, albeit a bit snarky, I admit.
I know from reading your blog that you are Czech by birth. But were you here in 1980? If you weren’t and haven’t read up on Overtown that year, I highly recommend it. The events of that year alone bestow some “historic” significance, let alone any contribution the area made to the Harlem Renaissance of the ’20s.
Rick seems to still have a burr up his ass with Alesh. Even though Alesh didn’t “pile on” as Rick continues to believe.
Rick,
move on man. Also, isn’t to whom, not to who? Can’t wait to read your venom next week. You are one angry dude.
Chill: Alesh and I have been going back and forth since the heyday of Overtown. He busts on me for using Blogger and criticizes my blog design. I, in turn, find fault with just about everything he writes. Where have you been? Or is it bin? I always gets that stuff mixed up.
I’ll look for you next week, chill. Will you be using that pseudonym or something else?
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nonee~
Overtown’s history is rich, tragic, and profound. I would argue that it’s actually cheapened by adding the “Historical.”
Imagine applying that term to other places and it almost sounds to differentiate the vital parts of a city from those that are “merely” historical. E.g. “Paris” vs. “Historical Paris” (of course nobody says that, which should tell you something).
Rick~
It seems you got annoyed out of an ability to make a coherent argument. Since you were so impressed by your first Wikipedia page, why don’t you click around and read up on the history of some other things. You can start with Miami Beach and the East Coast Railway, and then head out to other parts of the world . . . North Korea, maybe. Maybe we should prepend “Historical” to anything who’s history is “worth noting,” as you put it?
If you think the County’s use of the word is anything BUT patronizing (to whom? DUH: the residents of overtown; same ones the county keeps dicking over in matters that actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE to anything), I need to borrow your rose-colored spectacles.
Alesh, I’m a big Miami booster. An apologis