Emperor Norton’s name may yet span the bay / S.F. board endorses plan to rename Bay Bridge after 19th century eccentric — These are the kind of idiots we have running things in California. Let’s just rename everything after various local crackpots.
The resolution, if approved by Mayor Gavin Newsom, next will travel to the Oakland City Council and on to the California Legislature.
Joshua Abraham Norton — who, according to his Chronicle obituary, hailed from Scotland — was a businessman who came to San Francisco by way of South Africa in 1849 to try his luck in the Gold Rush. It is said that he lost his fortune — and his mental stability — after making a bum investment in the rice market a few years later.
In 1859, he proclaimed himself Emperor of the United States and, shortly thereafter, the Protector of Mexico. For the next 20 years, he issued proclamations defending minorities and championing civil rights, which were reproduced in local newspapers. Meanwhile, a number of merchants honored Norton’s own specially printed paper money.
In 1872, Norton ordered “a bridge be built from Oakland Point to Goat (Yerba Buena) Island and thence to Telegraph Hill.” Though his proclamation received little notice at the time, such a bridge would open in 1936, described by President Herbert Hoover as “the greatest bridge ever erected by the human race.”
Another of Norton’s noted proclamations decreed that “Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word ‘Frisco,’ which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor.” The penalty: $25.
First we tear down great people who happened to be racist (along with everyone else at the time).
Now we naturally elevate men of zero consequence whose views on race and ethnicity were ahead of their time. What values would such a dedication of the bridge stand for?
“The right values at the wrong time and to no effect.”
“Tilting against windmills, now more than ever.”
Political Correctness is an insidious cancer on our culture. Why can’t we just denounce racism without demonizing the past and all the values that went with it. Applying the values of the present to people of the past doesn’t make any sense, and obscures the more important legacy and lessons they have left us. Assuming they left any at all, which this guy obviously didn’t.
But he’s a Discordian hero! Not to mention the US’s only emperor!
I’m shocked! In a state that would elect
Ahnold guv, this choice seems remarkably
timid. I’d argue that it may be a small sign
that California hasn’t gone totally insane.
So when will the John C. Dvorak bridge be christened?