Many of our street names are of historical significance and are part of our identity and cultural heritage. So the controversial question remains, are we erasing a reminder of our historical past by renaming streets in Trinidad and Tobago?
Local campaigners say they want to be freed from street names associated with our colonial heritage. There are others in society who argue that street names should not be changed as they serve as an important reference to our history.
This group postulates that even if some negative connotations are attached to the names of some of our streets in Trinidad and Tobago, there are more important issues in our country that deserve priority. These are all important views expressed by our citizens. However, the fact remains that we cannot erase history to create new identities.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I have no objection to honoring the legacy of our local heroes and national icons in society, but instead of renaming existing roads that are of historical significance in the name of cultural significance, there are other meaningful ways. to recognize local heroes – by naming a new building, a new wing of a hospital, a scholarship fund, a scholarship after them.
Street name commemorative signs added to the street name address are another way to honor our national icons and heroes. All of these are probably much more useful and meaningful than renaming a street after someone.
As leaders in society, we must also carefully consider the extent to which street renaming produces true cultural change, where we can see a different kind of society that is more inclusive and responsive to today’s realities.
We must be wary of the kind of subliminal messages we are sending to today’s ordinary youth who are considered our local heroes.
Is it just our local cultural artists or sports heroes, or are specific guidelines and criteria used to determine whether the individual selected to have a road renamed in their honor has provided “outstanding public service or some exemplary contribution” for the public, and connect with the community where the road is located?
Another issue we need to consider carefully is gender bias. Very few roads are being named after women. Besides the naming of Queen Street after Janelle “Penny” Commissiong, have any other streets in our country been renamed after a woman who has made an exemplary contribution to our society in recent times?
There has to be a balance.
Have we seriously considered the hassles associated with renaming a street? It may seem to be uncomplicated, but it is not as easy as it seems. Utility bills, homeowners insurance, our driver’s license, ID cards, and mailing addresses are just a few things that all need to be changed.
In addition, renaming requires the allocation of resources for the production of new signage, plus labor costs for its installation.
There will always be arguments for and against street renaming, but whatever the reason for street renaming in any country, it is imperative that we as a people adhere to best practice if our aim is to form and sustain a local identity .
With the increasing focus on preserving historic buildings and street names, it is worth adopting a more formal, structured approach, starting with a review of all policies, including that on equality and diversity when dealing with the issue of renaming existing names of streets or promenades. .
Having a clearly defined decision-making process for addressing municipal street and park renaming issues is critical to the process as improvised procedures and a lack of clear guidelines are likely to provoke further controversy in the future. For this reason, it is important to be careful about impulsive reactions to a situation.
– The author is curator of the Angelo Bissessarsingh Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago
– Patricia Bissessar
