Where the Sidewalk End..where would MLK walk?

I was barely paying attention to an issue around sidewalks, actually one particular sidewalk, close to my neighborhood.  It was actually a lack thereof.  It has now been all over my email and was remarkably on the cover of the Indy.  Mostly at issue is a view that a small group of citizens trumped the greater neighborhood in killing a proposed sidewalk in an area that people like to walk in.  The sidewalk was proposed as there was a clear and well worn path that people took and it was believed the sidewalk would add to safety and be in line with city vision of creating more walk ability.

I have no plans on taking side on this issue and I have no stones to through at my representative on city council, Stef Mendell, or her fellow members.  I think there were probably mistakes and miscommunication on all sides of this. It has impressed me that Stef's approach has been proactive and engaging.  She did not shy away from her reasoning for voting a particular way nor has she disengaged in the process.  She correctly viewed it as an ongoing conversation and one she is willing to engage with.  There is general view from council that the reporting on this by the Indy was off.  And while I can not speak to this, I am sympathetic to Stef's issue that attacks like these make it difficult for people to seek office.  We need more leaders and need to support those that take the risk of getting involved and run for office provided they are engaged.  Elected officials will make mistakes or sometimes unpopular decisions, but the bigger question is are they listening and willing to both admit and learn from them.  And just because a decison did not go your way, it is not a reflection on the person and a reason not to support them.  Take the long view please!

I am focusing on this today, because it is MLK Jr Day.  I have had a tradition of watching a MLK documentary with my kids since they were young.  I feel the context and importance of this part of history and this particular individual is so important to our future.  He dreamt big, wanted to see change, and did so as a couragous leader who acted in an incredibly peaceful, respectful and dramatic way.  In this age of discussions around, sidewalks, scooters and other mundane issues it is disheartening to read the disproportional attention these issues get.  I am not saying anyone of them has no importance and I am sure they are vital to the every day lives of the people impacted by them.  But if people have the time to get riled up about issues like these, why don't they have the time or energy to get activated around much bigger issues of social injustice, affordable housing, homelessness, fair wages, equity, education, and so many larger issues facing our city?

I also encourage council to get to these issue more proactively.  Put discussions on density alongside discussion on walkability; discussions on neighborhoods alongside equity; discussions on growth alongside education and affordability.  Understand the depth of these issues and energize the public on these.  Yes you need to listen to constitutes, but there is also something called leadership.  Get out there and put your positions on the table and take a stand for those.  Create the change you want to see.  Raleigh needs more leaders who can lead from the front.  I feel we are in desperate need for this. We need many more MLK's to live the dream we have for this community.