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@CoryBooker I’d like to tell youa happy story of African Americans triumphing and rejoicing in the happiest of ways, here in #RVA Theyre celebrating the life of Arthur Ashe, with the renaming of the Boulevard to Arthur Ashe Blvd, suggested by my Councilor @kimgray4rva 1
There’s a tennis tournament and many other festivities to celebrate the life of Arthur Ash. We also learned that noted artist/sculptor Kehinde Wiley will sculpt a powerful equine statue, mounted by a young AfricanAmerican, an artistic response to older monuments.2
This powerful artistic response will tour different art museums, finding permanent home at @vmfa in Richmond, VA. This effort has been I think wisely managed, with no guarantees of a successful outcome. We had community meetings where everyone had an opportunity to be heard.3
My Councilor @kimgray4rva was instrumental in helping to guide this process, also creating Arthur Ashe Blvd & the current celebration. Unlike Charlottesvill, where a city councilman& mayor acted rashly, falling for a Russian #ActiveMeasure on Confederate monuments.4
We also had a wiser mayor. thanC’ville. Somehow, we’ve been able to come together, find common ground, & work through our differences. Our #RVACouncil has managed to work things out, at least so far. But renaming schools & streets has been a catharsis. Im for it.5
And lastly I think it’s important for people to be able to celebrate their heroes, heroines & successes. Future generations of young AfricanAmericans will celebrate @CoryBooker & @kamalsharmabjp One school in #RVA was renamed @BarackObama Elementary from JEBStuart Elementary 😻 6
I proposed a statue of @GovernorWilder for Monument Avenue, during those discussions, but LDW kindly demurred, telling me “Such structures are usually erected after the person has departed, & there’s still a lotI intend to do.”@CoryBooker 7
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