Posted on Jul 4, 2022
Truth not Troost: A new effort seeks to rename Kansas City corridor over slavery ties
1.39K
31
7
9
9
0
Chris Goode has launched a petition demanding the city change Troost Avenue — named after Dr. Benoist Troost, who owned six enslaved men and women.
Despite its widely-known street name, “Troost Avenue” does not accurately represent the small businesses, nonprofits and families along the increasingly dense Kansas City corridor, said Chris Goode.
“So many beautiful efforts take place on Troost — from The Combine to Operation Breakthrough or Urban Cafe and Rockhurst University… We are all collectively pushing for community, yet the name ‘Troost’ reflects hatred. It makes zero sense in my mind why we keep going with the way things are,” said Goode, the founder and owner of Ruby Jean’s Juicery at 3000 Troost.
Dr. Benoist Troost, for whom Troost Avenue was named, came to Kansas City in about 1847 and worked as the city’s first resident physician. An 1850 Federal Census Slave Schedule record revealed that Troost owned six enslaved men and women.
Despite its widely-known street name, “Troost Avenue” does not accurately represent the small businesses, nonprofits and families along the increasingly dense Kansas City corridor, said Chris Goode.
“So many beautiful efforts take place on Troost — from The Combine to Operation Breakthrough or Urban Cafe and Rockhurst University… We are all collectively pushing for community, yet the name ‘Troost’ reflects hatred. It makes zero sense in my mind why we keep going with the way things are,” said Goode, the founder and owner of Ruby Jean’s Juicery at 3000 Troost.
Dr. Benoist Troost, for whom Troost Avenue was named, came to Kansas City in about 1847 and worked as the city’s first resident physician. An 1850 Federal Census Slave Schedule record revealed that Troost owned six enslaved men and women.
Truth not Troost: A new effort seeks to rename Kansas City corridor over slavery ties
Posted from kcur.org
Kansas City
Slavery
American History
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 4
3
3
0
I have a hard time getting into movements like this. Heck, George Washington owned slaves, should we petition to rename everything named Washington?
(3)
(0)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Worthy of Debate! Time Will Tell! Society, Cultures, Values Change. "Perspective" can be a "Bitch" Sometimes.
(3)
(0)
LTC Eugene Chu
It depends on circumstances. We are not renaming everything that honors George Washington, but Mount Vernon explicitly mentions that he was a slaveowner and people under him were considered property at the time.
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/slavery/
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/slavery/
George Washington's home was also the home of hundreds of enslaved men, women, and children. The Washingtons depended on enslaved labor to build and maintain their household and plantation. These people, in turn, found ways to survive in a world that denied their freedom.
(2)
(0)
3
3
0
This kind of thing could go on ad nauseam in my opinion...never-ending. If ties to slavery are the criteria then it would seem that the Democratic Party should be seeking a new name for itself. I'm not casting aspersions on ANY party but I'm wondering if the names that would be chosen to replace the targeted ones would set off a new social and political firestorm by being agenda driven by any party. I, myself, strongly condemn any form of slavery or indentured servitude but sadly in its many insidious forms the two still exist in parts of the world and ...though both practices are despicable...I unhappily cannot see them being fully erased in the foreseeable future, try as we may.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Goode’s hope is that this is the last time he has to petition for a street, park or landmark to be renamed, he said. With “Troost Avenue” holding so much attention from the Kansas City community and beyond, he views this renaming as the catalyst for all other landmarks named after those who owned people, he continued.
But it has to happen now, he noted. As Kansas City recently secured a spot as one of the 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the community must unify to set the stage for upcoming global events.
“We cannot gloss over this with high profile events and brand new airports,” Goode said. “I want this to be the work that takes place preceding any of those publicly glorified events. I want to usher the world into our city, but in a place where we’ve reconciled our own wrongs.”
..."Goode’s hope is that this is the last time he has to petition for a street, park or landmark to be renamed, he said. With “Troost Avenue” holding so much attention from the Kansas City community and beyond, he views this renaming as the catalyst for all other landmarks named after those who owned people, he continued.
But it has to happen now, he noted. As Kansas City recently secured a spot as one of the 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the community must unify to set the stage for upcoming global events.
“We cannot gloss over this with high profile events and brand new airports,” Goode said. “I want this to be the work that takes place preceding any of those publicly glorified events. I want to usher the world into our city, but in a place where we’ve reconciled our own wrongs.”
(3)
(0)
SGT Mark Anderson
Sadly, they weren't legal wrongs at the time...only moral ones. One must consider the contemporary standards at the time, regardless of how repulsive that they may have been. I do agree with your post, by the way... :)
SGT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see)
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google