Representative Proposes Naming a Chicago Street "Mandela Road"

Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford is proposing renaming Cicero Avenue in Chicago to honor Nelson Mandela. His press release states:

"Illinois Route 50 is the perfect state highway to be renamed, as it crosses so many different communities and will remind us of the almost miraculous work that Nelson Mandela undertook as he brought together people in his own country and all over the world to advance peace, democracy and opportunity. His work should be an inspiration for us to work for those same goals."

At 66 miles long, Cicero is certainly no side road. The change would put Mandela's name on the tip of many Chicagoan's tongues daily. Ford has an online petition to support his proposal.

I think it's an excellent idea! The old Roman Senator Cicero won't mind since he still has the Illinois town named after him. Mandela Road will have more meaning to young people who should be taught about the man's legacy.

Hundreds of thousands greeted Mandela during his 1993 visit to Chicago. Now the city has another chance to honor him.

I've been recommending that people read Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, if you haven't already. It's exciting as a movement history, a narrative of his time in prison, and even his early tribal upbringing was like a story from another world. Read it now or give it to someone for Christmas. The world should now his true story.