Tuesday, February 9, 2010
News MARTA's 'yellow line' angers some Asian Americans
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Good morning! Here's a very awkward story to help you start off your day:
Asian-American activists offended that MARTA re-named the train line into the heart of Atlanta's Asian community the "yellow line" will take their objections to the transit agency's chief on Friday.[...]MARTA officials were warned by an employee before the name change last October that Atlanta’s burgeoning Asian community would find the term for the line to Doraville offensive.
MARTA General Manager Bev Scott tells the AJC that "everything was printed, we were ready to go" by the time an employee voiced concerns about the rail line's new name.
Concerned community members want MARTA to change the name from "yellow" to "gold." Scott said she's ready to listen. We're wondering how the hell this happened.
Comments (17)
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It is so hard to be politically correct. Name it after it's destination. We do that for roads, why not MARTA.
I'm really tired of the politically correct "that hurt my feelings" bullshit. Personally, I'm offended that the Green line doesn't go all the way to Decatur where the "green" hippies live (and why does it go to Bankhead where no one has any money?). I'm also offended that the Blue line does go to Decatur, where I once spent the night at DeKalb Medical Center's crazy ward. Clearly, MARTA wanted me to be able to find my way back there the next time I'm depressed.
Attn. MARTA Ride customers: We can only handle one controversy at a time. Looks like the escalators will have to wait. For updates please visit: http://www.twitter.com/fakemarta
as long as there are no white or black lines, i think the city is safe from racial rioting. for now.
Its far easier for tourists to deal with colors than odd names like Doraville? Doraville, by the way, could be viewed as a slight to the sizeable hispanic community in the area - DORAVILLE? Dora the explorer? Dude!!!! As a daily rider of MARTA I find the color system helps with identification of the Northeast vs. North lines. Since its easy to spot the Yellow and Red signs at the front of the train. Also even when the conductor forgets to flip the color card from the airport side to the Doraville or Northsprings side they smartly kept the color red so I know which train it is. I never thought of yellow line in this manner, when i think of yellow I think of someone who is a chicken/afraid, or that stupid wood guy old yeller? or daffodils awwwwwwww. But I guess now I see the concern, though heck I think they are overstating their and assumed domination. Yes Buford highway, Doraville and Chamblee are melting pots - which is why its great - but its not just an asian area. To bad Gold offends others cause think about it the Marta stations with the highest surounding per capita incomes are on the Yellow Line - Midtown - Arts Center - Buckhead - Brookhaven? And I tell you Chamblee is up and coming. Yep there's gold in them thar hills. Besides Gold would be more offensive if it went to the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs station.
I think they should names the rail lines Yellow, Black, Brown, and White. The Braves shuttle will be called Red. This will help the illiterates and show how truly diverse and progressive Atlanta is.
I wonder what would cost less: 1.) Re-naming the yellow line and changing all of the signage and printed collateral to suit the new name. 2.) Building the Honkey Tube and actually naming it the Honkey Tube officially so that another group can be equally offended. 3.) Ignoring the silly people. Honestly, I don't think I've heard the word 'yellow' in reference to Asians since Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA. If gay men in Manhattan can have the sense of humor to comfortably live in the Meatpacking District -- surely Asian-Americans can let this go.
This is silly, it's just a color, I'm Asian I'm not offended... pretty soon yellow clothing will not be allowed in the area, or even a yellowish colored food is also found offensive. What about the red line? Are the American Indians not happy with the color? It is very silly. Don't worry about it keep the color, but MARTA should be coloring the trains, it will make it easier for the rider, color the doors or the entire train. Lindbergh has red and yellow line coming on the same platform often passengers gets on the wrong ones.
I don't find it offensive. NY's train maps features all the colors(red, yellow, silver, green, purple...)Maybe if it said something like 'yellow Asian line',then sure. Coloring the trains would help tourists and residents alike. I'm sick of getting on a train to North Springs when I wanted to go to Doravile, but neither train had the correct sign on.
As a yeller-livered skunk with a yellow streak on my back, I personally have good reason to object, but I do not find a yellow line problematic, as I am comfortable with myself. I have been in cities that have pink lines and purple lines. I hope one day we have so many Marta lines that we use up every color.
this is stupid proves marta is a bunch of chumps! run by idiots! i can't wait 2 make a mockery of them on stage and 4 the whole world 2 c! yeah i said it i ani't gonna apoligize BUT WE CAN HAVE A BEER SUMMIT why not call Sweetwater they R a local brewery! and the 420 beer is really really good!
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