Genevieve (Jenny) Eason Street Naming

(Photographs by Mitch Bleier, Interview by Yolande B.)

The naming of Genevieve (Jenny) Eason way was covered in various news outlets, including NYCity News Service, and the Columbia Spectator.

RVT Cooperator, Alexis M., attended the Street Naming Ceremony, and this is what she said:

1. What do you remember about Gennie?

“It’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under.” To this day, my best memory of Gennie is her quoting me lyrics to “The Message” in the lobby of 626, and telling me to pay attention! Mind you, I was 26 years old when “The Message” came out. Gennie was a year older than my dad who had died eight years earlier, and who I was still missing terribly. When she spoke those words to me, I felt my dad speaking to me so I started paying very close attention. Gennie foresaw the politics and power of Hip Hop’s 50 year run speaking truth to power as never done before.

2. What do you think motivated Gennie to take action to improve her neighborhood? Many people have suggestions about what could be better, but what was different about Gennie that she actually got results?

I now believe it was not only her love for her family and the 626 community, which I’ve always believed was her chief motivator. It was also Gennie’s awareness and consummate knowledge of how things worked politically that made her so effective.

3. What could we do to carry on Gennie’s legacy of caring about and protecting our environment?

In my humble opinion, regarding Gennie’s legacy: To be effective in any area, doing our own research and gaining background knowledge MUST include informing ourselves about how our local politics connect to and impact the chosen area. In the case of protecting our environment, thinking globally and acting locally MUST include understanding how our local politics impact local environmental issues.

4. What was most memorable about the naming ceremony?

Two things: seeing everyone from 626’s past and present who turned out for the street naming ceremony; AND hearing both the politically elected and unelected speak about Gennie’s strategic awareness of timing and how to make an impact.

UPCOMING: Please look out for our upcoming interview with Gennie’s daughter, Judy, and granddaughters, Jasmin and Judith They are residents of River View Towers and have a lot to say about their grandmother’s activism, and why we should be activists for our community, protecting the rights of those who live here.