I support the renaming of Christian Paschen Park at 1932 West Lunt Avenue, Chicago Illinois to honor the John and Amanda Pollard Family and demand that the Chicago Park District take action on the proposal submitted to the Board of Commissioners in November, 2021.
The Pollards owned the home next to the park at 1928 West Lunt for sixty years and were the first known African-American family in Rogers Park. The eight Pollard children and grandchildren who lived in the home were distinguished leaders in many fields: first African-American female graduate of Northwestern University; first African-American coach in the National Football League; first licensed African-American nurse in Illinois; an early participant in Chicago's silent film industry; a medal winner in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Their host of accomplishments in sports, the arts, business, health care, education, foreign service and civic engagement present a striking contrast to the checkered record of the park's current namesake, Christian Paschen, who, among other failings, was convicted of income tax evasion while serving as an appointed official of the city of Chicago. His name should be removed and the park should be named in honor of the Pollard family, a decision that would appropriately reflect the values of residents of our community today.
