Al-Fajr TV | The local and municipal authorities in Britain were forced to change the name of one of the main streets in north London, after more than 300 years of naming it, after years of deliberations and discussions in the corridors of the local area authorities, which finally ended in changing its name.
In the details published by the local media in London and viewed by Al-Arabiya.net, it was decided to rename the street “Black Boy Lane” in the Tottenham area, north of London, after deliberations and discussions within the municipal council concluded that this name “has ethnic connotations.” And racism.”
The name in Arabic means “the street of the black boy,” and its name dates back to the late seventeenth century, and it was given this name in compliance with the name of one of the taverns that were in the area.
The street will now be called (La Rose Lane), while the local council for the area said that the name change came after many residents expressed concerns about the racial connotations of the name and the impact of its continued use on blacks in the Haringey area that includes the borough of Tottenham and includes this street.
Haringey Local Council began consultations on changing the name after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, United States, in May 2020 and the ensuing protests.
Counselor Pirai Ahmed, Chairperson of Haringey Council, said she was “delighted to honor Mr La Rose on behalf of the Street”. She added: “John La Rose made a significant contribution to Black Lives Matter here in Haringey and across Britain, playing an important role in winning recognition for Black authors and artists, as well as supporting inclusive education.”
La Rose, a native of Haringey, was politically active, and in 1966 launched New Beacon Books, Britain’s first Caribbean publisher, and was president of the George Padmore Institute.
John La Rose’s grandson, Reinaldo La Rose, told The Independent: “John’s family are really proud that John’s life and work has been recognized by having a street named after him. John’s work has been of national and international importance but much of it began here in Haringey.” He continued, “We hope that by commemorating his name in this way, we can convey the message of his work, the urgent need for equality and justice between races, to a new audience.”