The Atlanta Streetcar project, an initiative the Center has publicly backed, broke ground this month in Downtown Atlanta with Mayor Reed and US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.   We’re excited about this project because it will bring connectivity and vitality to the Auburn Avenue corridor that birthed the Civil Rights Movement, and will bring visitors to Center’s doorstep at Centennial Olympic Park.    The connection between historical features and next generation development is essential if we are to move forward without forgetting our past, and many cities, not just Atlanta, favor the streetcar as the preferred model for doing just that. 

The streetcar was the ubiquitous way to get around an urban space from the 1800’s until after World War II, when producing, purchasing and driving an automobile became the most popular mode of transportation—homes in the suburbs, segregation, desire for personal property and privacy are just some of the factors that led to the car’s dominance.  Fast forward a few decades to long commutes, hectic days and epic air pollution and streetcars are experiencing what Secretary LaHood called “a revival” in his blog.  He went on to say, “ Streetcars foster livability.  They connect urban destinations and spur redevelopment of urban spaces into walkable mixed use, high-density communities.  Transportation projects like streetcars spark America’s neighborhoods into become safer, healthier and more vibrant.  In fact, in several cities, streetcars are reviving some of the very same neighborhoods they once helped create.”

We like a good revival in the South, and the Atlanta Streetcar is worthy.  It will offer affordable, user-friendly, appealing transportation options Downtown in the near term, and intown neighborhood commute alternatives as the project grows and develops over time. Opponents of streetcars call them expensive, and fault them for social engineering, restricting development and creating false demand.   Not so.  A street car is a tool that makes sense in a situations where intimate, historical neighborhoods are in need of connectivity, without desire or capacity for additional parking, bus routes or train tracks.  Also, they target redevelopment in beloved but neglected areas, providing a needed economic boost to small business owners considering a venture along the route.  When it comes to streetcars, what’s old is new again, and, like civil and human rights movements themselves, we can garner  best practices from what has worked for our communities in the past. 

For more information on streetcars, visit www.reconnectingamerica.org, or review their Street Smart primer, here.

Last Friday, with a unanimous vote, the Center was given the go ahead by Invest Atlanta (formerly Atlanta Development Authority) to access Tax Allocation District funding and proceed with our plans to begin building Phase 1 of the facility in June of this year—just five months from now.  The codes and language may be unfamiliar, but it’s fair to say that this is a watershed moment.  Invest Atlanta is tasked with overseeing smart, stable, fiscally responsible growth and development in the City of Atlanta.  This vote indicates their approval of our plans and conviction that the Center will be a positive asset for Downtown Atlanta, bringing visitors, jobs and cultural resources.

In terms of nuts and bolts, this crucial approval from Invest Atlanta turns the key for the rest of the mission.  With a topic as urgent and cerebral as civil and human rights, it’s important that we maintain focus on the practical steps involved in building a structure, seeing to its sustainability, and enrolling the municipal and civic stakeholders in our vision and progress.  This vote was a major, tangible step forward in that regard.   As always, we are aware that it is not enough for the board, staff, donors and fans to believe in this project.  It has to make its own case—the ideas have to be strong enough to convince anyone that this institution is worth building.   I’m grateful for the vote of confidence and believe this was the right decision for the our community.

So what’s next?  Pre-construction work, groundbreaking event planning, accelerated exhibition development, and fundraising for Phase 2 all while growing the events and programs you have come to expect from us.   Look for a groundbreaking date in the coming weeks, along with news of various permits, celebrations and noted guests as we move to a new stage of bringing the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to life. 

On Friday, October 21, 2011 Dr. Rudolph Byrd passed away after a graceful and determined cancer battle.  An academic and public servant, his writing spanned topics from African-American literature to exploring issues of contemporary of the LGBTQ community.  He was a true educator in that he saw moments of possibility and transformation in every spark of conversation and opportunity for a shared experience.  Rudolph strove to lead through service, to Atlanta, Emory University, and broader community through committees, task forces and initiatives well outside of the expectations of his teaching, writing, and directing the James Weldon Johnson Institute.  He brought conviction and thoughtfulness to every pursuit, and all who believe in equality and justice lost a friend and comrade on Friday.

I was blessed in so many ways in my friendship and collaboration with Rudolph.  He arrived at Emory University when I was an undergraduate student.  I still remember the feeling of wanting to sit up a bit more and listen a bit harder whenever “Dr. Byrd” spoke.  Rudolph impressed upon the force of a well made argument, even in the face of a loud response.  Years later I sought him out as the Center began to take shape and he engaged me in conversation and collaboration as the Johnson Institute took shape.  When he approached me regarding CNN Dialogues, I relished the chance to assist in the creation of such a publicly engaged initiative.  He chaired a unique and innovative collaboration among the Center, CNN, and the James Weldon Johnson Institute.  Two events into the plan, we know he left us with a winning concept.  Given our varied collaborations- I’d like to say that I learned a few special things from Rudolph.  These lessons are not about his writing career, which was prolific and impressive, his work bringing the Alice Walker papers to Emory, or any of his other prominent accomplishments.  These are working ideals that are to his credit--just a few things I observed from our too-short time spent in the trenches together:

Process is Product-If Rudolph Byrd was at the table, your voice was going to be heard, your opinion sought, and a decision was not made until consensus had been reached and everyone could answer the question in the affirmative- “are you comfortable?”.  Our present often feels rushed, hierarchical and impersonal- Rudolph was a champion for equality, purposeful engagement and time well spent. To Rudolph how we did things was as important as what we did.

In Matters of Justice, cultivate the Long View-A peek into the daily schedule of Rudolph Byrd would likely reveal some writing,  meetings, events on a myriad of social justice issues, teaching and engaging students, and some quiet planning.  One sample day would not reveal the tremendous gains he achieved steadily,  with deliberate attention to the details and the relentless drive of a man on a mission.  He fought for justice as a thinking gentleman.  Each day, each conversation, each meeting added up to the life of a legend.  His presence indicated a sense of urgency about his priorities, but he was never in a hurry.  On many occasions, he stopped me from beginning our meeting agenda until we had taken a few moments to reconnect personally.  I never seemed to learn but lucky for me he never stopped trying.

Learning is a Source of Hope-Some of our most insidious social problems were Rudolph’s daily work.  His writing and teaching included harsh truths about our capacity to marginalize and violate one another, but he was a hopeful and positive person.  He was not affected by fashionable cynicism or the barrage of contrary information those of us in the rights space receive every day.  Rudolph gently reminded us that though the work is hard, the alternative is unthinkable, and if we let our world slide in to despair, it is our doing.  He lived with the belief that we control our futures.

Comfort and knowledge of one’s self is the first step to enlightenment- Whether it was his bow tie, jauntily folded pocket handkerchiefs, melodious way of speaking or the stories he shared of his life and the way they informed his scholarship- Rudolph was an individual.  I remain in awe of his ability to be one of a kind, but to have always made every person he engaged comfortable with him and themselves.  Rudolph took the time to know himself, so he could engage others so deeply.

With this missive I’m adding my voice, and the voice of the Center, to the many who are bereft at the loss of a needed leader and trusted friend.  May he rest in peace.