CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A resolution before Clarksville’s City Council to change the name of “Mammy Lane” has led to a second petition, this one requesting the street’s name be changed to honor “Gone With The Wind” actress Hattie McDaniel.
The street in question is part of Plantation Estates, a north Clarksville subdivision where the streets are named for characters and locales from the film “Gone With the Wind.”
Mammy Lane is named for “Mammy,” one of the O’Hara family’s slaves in the film, played by Hattie McDaniel. The current resolution would change the street’s name to Slattery Lane. Emmy Slattery is a white character played by Isabel Jewell.
A petition for McDaniel’s legacy
A new petition, started by Ward 11 council member Ashlee Evans, who is white, suggests that a better name would be Hattie Lane, to honor the actress instead of the character.
The petition was started Sunday, March 21. In its first 24 hours it surpassed 175 signatures.
McDaniel won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 1940 for her role in the movie, making her the first Black woman to win an Oscar. Evans’ petition says that while the term “Mammy” is offensive, it is important to preserve McDaniel’s legacy.
“A lot of folks complain that this is cancel culture and erasing history,” Evans said in a statement to Clarksville Now. “It is important that we make conscious and sensitive choices to ensure that we are respectful of everyone’s history. This isn’t a matter of erasure, this is a matter of progression.”
When asked about the proposed change, resolution sponsor Councilman Richard Garrett, who is Black, said he would be open to it in the form of an amendment, but the ultimate decision should be based on the sentiments of residents.
Knight voices opposition
Ward 5 council member Jason Knight, who represents Plantation Estates, started a petition two weeks ago opposing the change.
In his petition, as well as subsequent Facebook posts, Knight, who is Black, cited a lack of interest from residents and the difficulty of changing one’s address as reasons for his opposition to the change.
As of Monday, March 22, Knight’s petition garnered only 23 signatures. Knight said he intends to visit Mammy Lane this week to collect more.
One week to decide
Council members are expected to discuss the name change at their executive session on Thursday, March 25, and vote a week later on April 1.
In regards to how she will vote next Thursday, Evans said she had reached out to residents of Mammy Lane, and those she spoke with were divided on the issue.
“So I am making this decision with my heart and conscience,” Evans said.