Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 6.20
Cities in the United States with a Street
Named for Martin Luther King Jr.
Data
from:
Data drawn from several sources by
Derek Alderman, Matthew Mitchelson, and
Chris Philamy, East Carolina University,
2003.
that although MLK streets are found in both cities
and rural areas, “MLK streets are located—whether by
choice or by force—in census areas that are generally
poorer and with more African Americans than citywide
averages.” (Fig. 6.21) Alderman tempers this finding
with a caution that not all MLK streets are located
in poorer areas of cities. Even when MLK streets are
located in depresssed areas, the African American pop-
ulation may have purposefully chosen a street because
it runs through an African American neighborhood.
Alderman's subsequent studies explore the scale of the
city and the contested views of what kinds of streets
should be named for MLK—be they residential, com-
mercial, major thoroughfares (perhaps those that con-
nect white and African American neighborhoods), or
residential streets in largely African American neigh-
borhoods.
The presence of streets named for civil rights lead-
ers in the cultural landscapes of the American South cre-
ates a signifi cant counterbalance to the numerous places
of commemoration named for leaders of the Confederacy
during the Civil War (see Chapter 1).
1983 and Disneyland Paris in 1990, both places that capi-
talize on the success of Disneyland and Disneyworld in
the United States. As corporations spread their names and
logos to other places, they seek to “brand” places, creating
or re-creating places that consumers associate with places
of the same brand.
In recent years, the activities of corporations
with a global reach have been stamped on the land-
scape. Stadiums are especially susceptible to this form
of commodifi cation: FedEx Field, MCI Center, Fleet
Center, and Coors Field are perfect examples. In 2004,
the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York City
proposed renaming the metro stops, bridges, and tun-
nels after corporate sponsors. Instead of the Lincoln
Tunnel, we could be traveling through the Target
Tunnel, and instead of stopping at Times Square, we
could be stopping at Disney Times Square (which,
ironically is already named for a company—the
New
York Times
).
Commodifi cation of Toponyms
The practice of commodifying (buying, selling, and trad-
ing) toponyms is growing, especially in areas largely within
the fold of popular culture. International media corpora-
tions that reach across the globe bring known names to
new places, drawing consumers to the place based on what
they have heard or experienced elsewhere. For example,
the Disney Corporation opened Tokyo Disneyland in
This place was fi rst named by Gabrielino Indians. In 1769,
Spanish Franciscan priests renamed the place. In 1850, English
speakers renamed the place.
Do not use the Internet to help
you. Use only maps in this topic or in atlases to help you
deduce what this place is. Maps of European exploration
and colonialism will help you the most. Look at the end of
the chapter summary for the answer.
