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Lily Presson

Sean Holstege

JMC 301 - 70926

12 November 2021

Diversity Story

The city of Tempe decided to rename several streets, parks, and schools after it was determined

that they had been named after City leaders that were members of the Ku Klux Klan in the

1920’s.

Tempe City Council will work to rename West and East Laird Streets, Hudson Lane, Hudson

Drive, Hudson Park, Harelson Park, Redden Park, Laird School, Hudson Elementary School and

Gililland Middle School, according to the Tempe city website.

The Ku Klux Klan is a hate organization whose primary targets include Black people, Jews,

Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, immigrants, lefists, homosexuals, Catholics, Muslims and

atheists. The KKK had an active chapter in Tempe in the 1920’s, according to an article

published by the State Press.

Tempe is composed of 6.9% Black residents and 16% foreign born residents, according to the

most recent American Community Survey.

According to the ACS, 10.8% of Tempe residents are not American citizens.

Some residents thought that the community was simply unaware of the names, and that is why it

took so long for them to be changed.

Dr. Johannah Uriri-Glover, a Tempe resident and active community member, volunteers on the

African American Advisory Committee to the Tempe History Museum and has worked with the
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city government in the past on diversity and inclusion affairs. Uriri-Glover offered to share her

thoughts on the matter “from a black person’s perspective.”

Uriri-Glover said that the names made her uncomfortable and that she “was unaware that these

public spaces were named after KKK members.”

Uriri-Glover said that the names were not public knowledge and the information and roster have

recently been uncovered by the Tempe History Museum historians and staff.

“I am personally in favor of the renaming of public spaces and streets,” Uriri-Glover said,

“however, I believe the renaming of streets should be decided by the citizens of Tempe, because

they may have to pay higher property taxes as a result.”

Uriri-Glover said that, overall, she has had a positive experience in Tempe and that she believes

that the city welcomes the Black community’s opinions and perspectives.

Babette Feliu, a student at Arizona State University, moved to the East Valley from Honduras

five years ago.

Feliu also felt affected by the renaming, as she had just recently been taught of hate groups like

the Ku Klux Klan.

“Growing up in Honduras, I didn’t get much education about these groups. I believe it was

taught about a tiny bit in elementary school but not much until recently,” Feliu said.

Feliu said she was not at all aware that these places were named after KKK members.

“Personally, right now it does make me a bit uncomfortable, now that I know more about this

group,” Feliu said, “public places are for the community to go and enjoy a safe environment and

not everyone in the community is white. Tempe seems pretty diverse to me so I think it’s kind of

off.”
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When asked about her thoughts towards the environment in Tempe, Feliu said that she has had a

great experience in the city and that she loves it.

Dr. Uriri-Glover and Ms. Feliu agreed that the names should be changed to something more

diverse, both suggesting that they be changed to other peoples’ names who’ve made an impact

on Tempe.

Uriri-Glover said she “would like to see a few names of ASU administrators, researchers, faculty

or staff who have made significant contributions to the city of Tempe.”

Uriri-Glover said that she would also like to see the new names include names of Black,

Hispanic, Native American, or Asain individuals.

“There will be people who will not want the name change and will have the opportunity to voice

their concerns,” Uriri-Glover said.

Some of these concerns have already been voiced. Harvey Harelson’s great-granddaughter told

the State Press that “renaming Harelson Park would disregard her family's contributions to the

community.”

According to the State Press, from 1924 to 1928 Harelson was a Tempe city council member and

“was allegedly part of the KKK.”

Residents and city officials hope that the renaming will have a positive impact on most of the

community and they understand that it may take time for some people to adjust.

“I do have empathy for the family members who did not know their ancestors were members of

the KKK. It is my hope that we can move away from racial conflict because God does not have a

respect of person and we all must love our neighbors,” Uriri-Glover said.
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Sources

Dr. Johannah Uriri-Glover, PhD, MSCR, MNSc, RN, FAAN

(602)-496-0769

Brenda Abney, Museum Director for the city of Tempe

(480) 350-5105

Babette Feliu, Honduras-born ASU student

(480)-721-6166

https://www.tempe.gov/government/street-and-park-renaming

Tempe City Council - Work Study Session - Oct. 21, 2021 - YouTube

https://www.statepress.com/article/2021/10/tempe-to-change-names-of-streets-parks-with-kkk-ti

es

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/tempe-az-population

http://documents.tempe.gov/sirepub/cache/1207/oclprwufdkvvh2ivtr42c0hp/2904655711082021

092535746.PDF