Rename the Joel Award

Reimagining the Joel Award

During the June IPNA meeting we discussed the renaming of our neighborhood community service award. As you may know, the award was created in the mid-1970s by Robert Griggs, the founder of Inman Park Restoration, as a way for young, pioneering neighbors to recognize one another’s efforts in revitalizing our long-neglected neighborhood. The award became known as the Joel Award in recognition of Joel Hurt, the surveyor and developer of Inman Park.

As awareness has grown in recent years about Joel Hurt and his history of using and abusing convict labor, his name has become uncomfortable for many. (For reference, see Slavery by Another Name by Douglas Blackmon.) Clearly, Joel Hurt doesn’t represent the values of 21st century Inman Park. It is time for us to select a new name for the award.

We would like your feedback on what the new name should be. Please add your suggestion for a new award name below in the comments section or email [email protected].

Award Name Process: 

July 1-July 7th: Submit suggestions for new name via blog comment or email. 

July 8-July 15: Online Voting Begins. All name submissions received will be put out to the membership for a vote.

IPNA Meeting, July 16th: The top two suggestions with the most votes will be introduced at the meeting. Members will cast 1 vote for their choice during the meeting. The name with the most votes will be the winner and our new award name. 

We encourage you to submit your suggestion or echo your support for a name someone has already posted. Thanks for helping us rename this award.

 

 

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Comments on "Rename the Joel Award"

Comments 15-5 of 26

Sally A Dorn - Wednesday, July 01, 2020
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I initially loved the idea of the John Sweet Award but then I thought of Wayne Smith, Bill McMurry and Holly Mull. There have been so many people who have worked hard and contributed to this neighborhood.Some of them are still alive and still contributing. It is difficult to pick just one to memorialize this way. I think the Butterfly Award works well.

Liv Estrup - Wednesday, July 01, 2020
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My first thought was The John Sweet Award to honor John. I also like The Sweet Award a lot as well as The Butterfly Award.

Andrew Stein - Wednesday, July 01, 2020
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There's a concept from the world of stregth and fitness that I think applies well to an award recognizing someone who has benefited the neighborhood and made it STRONGER. I nominate: *** The IPsilateral Award The "IP" in IPsilateral stands for Inman Park, of course. Ipsilateral, as you may know, means "relating to the same side of the body" Ipsilateral Exercises are generally more intense -- and therefore more beneficial. They're known for increasing CENTRAL STABILITY and developing the whole body and the ability to deal with offsetting forces. For example, an ipsilateral plank -- supporting yourself on one foot and one hand -- is more of an accomplishment than other kinds of planks. That's why an "Ipsilateral Award" is the best way to recognize someone whose effort and will has created neighborhood STABILITY and STRENGTH in the face of counter-forces. An Ipsilateral Award winner is someone who has stood on the same side as Inman Park and has strengthened the body of our community. it begins with the letters I - P, which makes it the kind of fun wordplay that will keep the name of the award memorably and witty (like us) for generations. Quirkiness is memorable, and we're nothing if not a quirky group of neighbors. Ipsilaterally, Andrew Ashland Avenue (P.S. I hope that when the award names are put to a vote, each one can have a description that contextualizes the suggestion. Otherwise, this suggestion doesn't stand a chance!)

Cathy Bradshaw - Wednesday, July 01, 2020
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While I dearly love John Sweet and love the thought of his being honored, I support naming our neighborhood award THE BUTTERFLY Award. The butterfly is represented on our logo and is a symbol of our tribute to the past as well as our ongoing look to the future. The Butterfly Award will mean something to everyone. It is simple and easy.

Melissa Miller - Wednesday, July 01, 2020
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As much as I agree that John Sweet contributed an incredible amount to the community, I think we need to get away from naming the award after one person. The name should be something more relatable to the whole community, Butterfly Award, etc. It would be nice to have something meaningful to the new neighbors as well as the old.

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