A recent proposal put forth by the Chicago City Council to rename Columbus Drive to Barack Obama Drive has sparked outrage among Chicago Italian-Americans.
Ron Onesti, the president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA), voiced his disapproval of the proposed ordinance labeling it as “insensitive and unvetted” in a press release.
This initiative, brought forward by Alderman Lamont Robinson, was introduced recently, aiming to pay tribute to former President Barack Obama. Robinson, in a social media post linking to a story from The Chicago Tribune, emphasized the importance of honoring more Black figures, stating that renaming the street would serve as a way to accomplish this.
However, Onesti, in the JCCIA’s press release, acknowledged the intention behind Alderman Robinson’s proposal but raised concerns over the choice of renaming Columbus Drive. He questioned why the tribute to Obama had to come at the expense of an ethnic group and suggested alternative locations, such as South Greenwood Avenue or Stony Island Avenue, which are associated with Obama’s legacy.
Columbus Drive, previously known as the Inner Drive, was named in 1933 in honor of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. This renaming holds significance for many Italian Americans due to Columbus’s Italian heritage, and Columbus Day is traditionally celebrated within the community. However, the holiday has faced criticism for its association with colonization and the mistreatment of indigenous peoples.
The JCCIA, representing various Italian American organizations in the Chicagoland area, stands against the proposed renaming, advocating for a more inclusive approach to honoring historical figures.
The debate reflects a larger discussion around historical symbols and figures in Italian-American culture. It is incredibly disheartening to see our culture being slowly washed away in our own city. As an Italian-American woman, I hope that if the proposal goes through it’s renamed with another Italian historical figure who made contributions to this country and this city. What do you think of this proposal?
America was named after Amerigo Vespucci. It should be rightfully named after him!
Although I respect and love President Obama, I do NOT want Columbus Drive renamed after him. History teaches what good and evil humans have done. I do not recall ever having seen homage at tge Indian statue on Columbus Druve. This is UNACCEPTABLE
its outrages to offend american by renaming columbus drive im italian and he was was the president we ever had and biden is close behide him
It is a disgusting and a discriminatory act the Blacks are taking against the Italian heritage if they DARE change the name of Colombus Drive. How dare a group of city officals who complain that Black history is not being taught properly in schools, be so uneducated not to learn the truth about the history of Colombus and, instead believes untruths thinking it gives them the right to eradicate OUR history that they clearly DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!There are plenty of other streets that can be named in honor of Black people. Last I looked, Colombus wasn’t Black! He was Italian and so it should be!!
Barak Obama Stony Island Avenue, or, Barak Obama Underground Railway, both have a nice ring to them.
4th Ward Lamont Robinson, created this lame “proposal”, just to stir up trouble, and mainly to get his photo on the front page. I seriously doubt that Barak Obama, would ever agree to this “name changing” proposal, that will cause a Chicago Fire Storm … and I will fly from Honolulu, to be part of it, Barack. Tread Carefully … it only takes one Obtuse mistake … Ave Caesar … nos morituri te salutamus … Semper Vigilis, Ciao tutte
If this gets renamed to ugh barak Obama drive I’m leaving this country n moving BACK to my homeland in Italy. This country is not great anymore. I’m disgusted as a first gen Italian. My parents came thru ellis island and legally vetted themselves. How dare blacks want to take away another piece of our proud Italian history. Ciao America.
Say white Europeans don’t matter without saying white Europeans don’t matter.🙄Obama was an average at best president, but if Chicago’s city council just has to name a road after him, rename a road that doesn’t involve another ethnicity. Unless this is more about sticking it to Italian Americans, which wouldn’t surprise me in the least. It’s also kind of funny that Obama couldn’t leave Chicago fast enough for Martha’s Vineyard.
TRUMP 2024🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💯