Doing A Double-Take On American Double-Stardards

Community board members objected to naming a corner for the late rapper Biggie Smalls because, according to some, he was a criminal, a misogynist — and too fat to be honored.

CB2 committee member Lucy Koteen said she "looked up the rapper's history" and read what she had learned to the full board Tuesday night.

"He started selling drugs at 12, he was a school dropout at 17, he was arrested for drugs and weapons charge, he was arrested for parole violations, he was arrested in North Carolina for crack cocaine, in 1996 he was again arrested for assault, he had a violent death and physically the man is not exactly a role model for youth," she said. "I don't see how this guy was a role model and frankly it offends me."

I'm so glad you asked.

Johnny Cash, admitted long-time amphetamine addict and habitual drunk/drugged driver, only individual in American history to be successfully prosecuted for starting a forest fire, famously sang "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die." Part of Tennessee Highway 31E designated Johnny Cash Parkway.

Willie Nelson, convicted tax evader and marijuana enthusiast arrested numerous times for drug possession. Part of 2nd Street in Austin designated Willie Nelson Boulevard.

Joey Ramone, used Nazi imagery in songs like "Blitzkrieg Bop" and wore swastikas as a fashion statement, sang "I wanna sniff some glue." East 2nd Street in Manhattan near the former CBGBs designated Joey Ramone Place.

This is just white artists; major cities throughout the US are named after genocidal maniacs like Columbus and Jackson, and there are streets and towns throughout the south named in honor of Klan founder Nathan Bedford Forrest.

(I should add for the record that I am a big fan of Johnny, Willie and Biggie. All have made artistic contributions significant enough to warrant recognition through renaming of streets.)

And did you know Your Street May be Named After a Slave Holder?