Nashville has a rule that certain things (streets and parks) cannot be named after people until they’re dead. This is understandable — you don’t want to permanently name something for someone before their legacy is clear. Unfortunately, though, this means that Nashville normally honors its civil rights heroes only after they’re not around to appreciate it. But not when it comes to Diane Nash. OK, so we can’t yet name a street for her, and we can’t yet name a park for her, but the city figured out that it can name a concrete plaza for her and still be following its own rules. The dedication in April was a festival of joy. We got to show our appreciation to civil rights icon Diane Nash. She got to draw our attention to the people still living among us who fought the good fight with her. And she urged us to continue to push for nonviolent change. Having this opportunity to celebrate and reaffirm the legacy of Nash and her fellow activists was soul-nourishing for a city that desperately needed it.Â
Best Dedication
Dedication of Diane Nash Plaza
Diane Nash Plaza dedication ceremony, April 20, 2024
