Before and after in Seattle

Light Rail and MLK Jr. Way Seattle, originally uploaded by joseph songco.

“Before and after photos of changes occurring in South Seattle (2004-2009). To see more please visit josephsongco.com/MLK/index.html.”

Berkeley

mlk, originally uploaded by justonlysteve.

From this nice set.

Little Rock

crossing party lines, originally uploaded by windybug.

Caption explains:

Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas
Pulaski County
LARGE

I was driving around downtown Little Rock, in an area I don’t generally go. I saw a lot of things to shot that I’ll be going back for! Hopefully in the morning when fewer people are around… I spotted this bunch of crosses in a random open lot.

The comments on Flickr further clarify things. “It’s about Black on Black crime,” one says, and another confirms, adding: “Each cross respresents a black person murdered in Little Rock within the current year.”

On Porltand’s MLK In Motion

Earlier this summer, the Oregonian published this interesting article about Alan Silver, who runs a great blog called MLK In Motion focused on Portland’s MLK:

Silver, a 38-year-old blogger and amateur historian, is perhaps the least likely tour guide for what used to be the heart of first immigrant and then black Portland. He’s a burly, sweet-natured white guy from Southern New Jersey with no background in planning or research, just an instinct for storytelling and an unusual interest in his adopted hometown’s backstory.

“I tell people it’s my hobby,” he says. “Really, if I’m honest, I’m kind of in love with the place.”

Read the whole thing — lots of pictures, even video — here.

Oakland night blur

August 12th, 2009, originally uploaded by qf8.

“Swinging Over Danger” (in N.O.)

swinging over danger, originally uploaded by anthonyturducken.

Earlier images of this spot, here.

Portland blur

A blur of MLK + Burnside, originally uploaded by brandedbyhuys.

Seattle scene

busted on MLK, originally uploaded by Dougerino.

Caption explains: “Couldn’t tell what happened here. I think the cops recognized him, because they swooped in and cuffed him immediately. He had been standing there talking to those ladies.”

Gone in Atlanta

Atlanta 1990: Old warehouse on MLK, originally uploaded by zeusface.

The caption: “This old warehouse was on MLK Jr. Drive at the dead-end of Conally Street. It has since been demolished.”

Zambia

5C Martin Luther King Road, Lusaka Zambia, originally uploaded by azleaf.

“The driveway of my former flat. 5C Martin Luther King Road, Lusaka, Zambia,” writes azleaf, who also has this interesting related blog post. Excerpt:

In the style of many southern African neighbourhoods, MLK Road Lusaka is completely surrounded by glass topped walls, heavy metal gates and underpaid security guards from nearby townships. Most of the landscaped area between the walls and the drainage ditches that abut the tarmac is kept immaculately trimmed by a squad of blue-coverall wearing young men. They cut the grass, bent over double, with blunt scythes.