An OU student is organizing an event to have students and community members push for conversation on the renaming of DeBarr Avenue at an upcoming Norman City Council meeting.
Strategic political communication senior Deon Osborne plans to have students and community members use the public comment portion of Tuesday’s council meeting to push the city to hold a meeting about DeBarr Avenue.
The street is named for Edwin DeBarr, a former KKK leader and one of OU’s first four professors.
City councilmember Breea Clark launched a petition in March to garner public support for renaming the street after OU professor emeritus and long-time social activist George Henderson. The name could change with 75 percent support from the property owners on DeBarr, or if the city deems it “inappropriate.”
Osborne said he planned the event to give students and residents a chance to address their feelings on the issue publicly -- not just make a post on social media.
“I’ve learned a lot from being part of protests on and off campus, learning from fellow millennials who are trying to become leaders,” Osborne said. "I feel like this is a good opportunity to really get engaged with the community and learn that process."
The DeBarr debate is also a chance for Norman to prove it’s truly inclusive, Osborne said.
“Being inclusive is more than dedicating a month to a specific minority group, or having diversity training and opening up perspectives,” Osborne said. “It’s more than just allowing us into the space, it’s about how we feel in the space.”
The council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 in the city municipal building at 201 West Gray Street. Osborne said those who want to participate in the comment period should wear all black in support.
