A group of Hispanic activists that pushed for Industrial Boulevard to be renamed after labor leader César Chávez has a new target: Ross Avenue in downtown Dallas.

The César Chávez Task Force agreed in June to go along with naming Industrial Boulevard something other than “César Chávez,” provided the city name another street for the Latino rights icon.

Ross Avenue is a major street originating in East Dallas and cutting right through the Arts District and into the West End.

The activists fancy that since the Cathedral de Guadalupe is at the corner of Ross & Pearl and that there are about 5 blocks of Hispanic businesses between Washington and Greenville Avenue, that it makes sense to rename Ross for Chavez.

Not so fast dear activists.

There are major office buildings along Ross Avenue so it’s not just a simple case of having the local latin 7-day candle store and immigration photo place redoing their business cards with a new street name. You’re talking about thousands of people being affected and companies based in the high rises having to redo ALL of their marketing materials and letterhead and business cards.

Not to mention the influx of marketing done by everyone from all museums in the Arts District to the West End having to redo and get the word out about the name change on marketing materials and maps.

And further, have they not noticed how developers have been buying up tracts along Ross to demolish the run down Hispanic based businesses and put in business and retailers catering to those buying the $300k + townhomes in the general area of Baylor Hospital?

Changing a street name is not like changing a pair of socks.

It was challenging enough when a certain former mayor shoved Malcom X down our collective throats by having Oakland Avenue running through Deep Ellum named for the radical. Businesses along Oakland were NOT happy about having to endure this change so there is no way that everyone along Ross Avenue is going to go along with this.

The Hispanic community is just missing the boat.

Until such Dallas icons as Stevie Ray Vaughan, who embraced equality and gave amazing music to the world, is properly respected in his own hometown, the population as a whole is not going to support any initiative to have a major street named after an activist that didn’t live or work in Texas let alone Dallas.

In fact, let’s end this on a positive note for those of us that respect our hometown. Sign the Stevie Ray Vaughan petition asking the City of Dallas to honor our Pride & Joy.

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Dallas Legend