Print ArticleSome say, Jacksonville is a diamond that wants to remain coal. What would it be like if Jacksonville were a city that didn't have such apathy for itself... led by people who acknowledged its achievements?
Billie Holiday performing in Downbeat, New York, NY, ca. February 1947
The Great Black Way would have curio shops and little plastic bubbles with glitter in them swirling round Duke Ellington and Billy Holiday performing at the Ritz, and Klutho's Balustrade would be lit at night so that lovers could walk past the moonlit canal along Hogan's Creek.
There would be bronze statues of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Bill Pickett (the famous black cowboy from Norman Studios in Arlington), Tom Mix and Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy) on the Riverwalk instead of the goofy jogger?
There would be a big Barbeque festival on Main Street every year and people would come from miles around to check out a hundred million recipes for ribs and collard greens.
It would create an interesting and colorful course that teaches our history and the cities issues and require that it be taught to all 7th graders.
The architecture wouldn’t have to be studied from old postcards and books with crossed out black and white photos with the word "demolished" stamped across them.
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