The Midland, Texas, city council plans to amend the old parade ordinance, according to MyWestTexas.com. And if the ordinance is enacted parades will be prohibited from crossing over the railroad track*.
People in government always seem to want to do something, anything, following a tragedy to show the voters that they care. So they pass a law or amend a rule that makes them feel good but doesn't do any real good. But if there are no train/parade collisions in the foreseeable future, they'll count this new rule as an improvement for the masses.
Where does that leave the annual Juneteenth parade? The several Juneteenth parades I've attended in Midland all started North of the railroad track, crossed over the track, and ended South of the track. To my knowledge, the parade has never been struck by a train, and parade participants probably didn't need to be cautioned about crossing the track even before the freak accident at the Show of Support parade in November of last year.
I won't use the loaded word "segregation," but it sure does seem as though the railroad track will now mark an even more prominent boundary between the North side and the South side.
*Apparently, the city council can grant exceptions if the parties wanting to conduct a parade go before them, hat in hand, seeking their permission. Should they do that some city council member will dutifully admonish them to watch out for trains. You just watch.
thanks for sharing
Posted by: source | April 11, 2013 at 05:28 AM