Jackson Free Press

A portion the Jackson Metro Parkway between Terry Road and Eastview Street has been renamed after prominent African American physician and civil rights activist Dr. Robert Smith. The Jackson City Council members approved renaming the street in a 5-to-0 vote this morning.

"Dr. Smith has done a lot of work in the community, helped a lot of people, and is still making house calls," said Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes, who championing the ordinance change renaming the street.

According to Smith's oral history for the University of Southern Mississippi's Civil Rights Documentation Project, Smith, 72, made a name for himself in 1963 by petitioning the American Medical Association to oppose racial segregation in hospitals, and called attention to health disparities in medical treatment between blacks and whites. He played a role in the historic Freedom Summer event of 1964, by forming the Southern Arm of the Medical Committee for Human Rights, which fielded doctors, nurses and other health organization members to come to participate in Freedom Summer. In 1965, he successfully obtained Office of Equal Opportunity money to establish a health-care clinic in Mound Bayou. Smith also participated directly in the Civil Rights Movement, standing at barricades in Mississippi and Selma, Ala., during the height of the struggle.

Jackson resident Johnetta Jurden praised Smith before the council, pointing out that Smith has always been a pillar of the community, and dedicated his time and money to some of the most humanitarian of projects.

"My daughter was invited to go to Mexico with her Spanish class (at Forest Hill High School) but there's no way I could afford to send her. She would have been the only black student from that school to go. This was 1974. And I told Dr. Smith about this and he said, 'you're daughter is going to Mexico on that trip,' and he helped pay for it," Jurden told the council.

Stokes, council President Frank Bluntson and Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman put a rush on the ordinance change this morning in preparation for a May 29 celebration of Smith's accomplishments at the Jackson Convention Center. The three approved the ordinance change this morning at a Planning Committee meeting and then brought the issue before the rest of the council at a 10 a.m. special meeting.

Ward 7 Councilman Margaret Barrett-Simon said she was proud to be able to cast her vote in favor of the street re-naming.

The decision comes after a contentious vote last month to remove a petition requirement mandating that 75 percent of property owners within 150 feet of a public facility or street must to approve changing a street or facility's name. Stokes, Bluntson and Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba lobbied for the removal of the 75 percent petition requirement, arguing that the petition was a tool to discourage the renaming of streets and public buildings. Lumumba said he would later introduce a new ordinance mandating a petition requiring only 51 percent favorability among city residents.

Smith's case still required the 75 percent petition, however, because the council's vote to remove the petition did not take effect until after Stokes submitted Smith's name for the street.

Stokes has also proposed to change a section of Pascagoula Street that connects Jackson State University to Interstate 55 after former Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, and another Jackson street after former Jim Hill High School Coach Fred Harris who died in July 2009.

Previous Comments

ID

157985

Comment

Congratulations to Dr.Robert Smith for his long positive history in this community: administering medicine, fighting for justice and equality and living a life of role-modeling qualities. Thank you Dr. Smith. I almost lost it when I read the closing paragraph of this article. How could anyone in his right mind name anything for frank melton??? He was THE WORSE mayor this City has ever known. Why must the citizens be reminded of that. To name anything after melton would further the argument that names are being changed from streets and buildings for no good reason.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-05-28T13:42:40-06:00

ID

157987

Comment

I'm sure a lot of folks did lose it when reading the last paragraph. No more reminders of "Frankie please". Why can't Stokes suggest naming things after everyday citizens who have really done something positive for the community and are still doing positive things in their community. Say......former JSU Coach WC Gorden or a host of other legit choices. Keep burning candles at your home shrine to Frank, K Stokes and leave the rest of Jackson alone. The Metro does not need to be reminded of the misguided miscreant.

Author

redlion

Date

2010-05-28T16:36:54-06:00

ID

157989

Comment

It'd be one thing if Melton made a positive impact during his term as mayor, but the city regressed under his (lack of) leadership. God rest his soul, but we shouldn't reward poor performance by naming streets after him.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-05-29T23:13:51-06:00

ID

157995

Comment

We've been delivered from Frank Melton. Please don't make me drive down a street or anything else with his name on it. We were a City under seize during his turbulent administration. When is that hearing? I would be compelled to speak out against this move. May he rest in peace and may we never have to look at ANYTHING other than his tombstone, that has his name on it.

Author

GratefulJTE

Date

2010-06-01T14:29:57-06:00