Renameborhoods

Over the course of the last few months, I've noticed a trend where various real-estate agents and other property related types have been taking the liberty of renaming some of Boston's neighborhoods. There has been such a large negative reaction to it that it seems to be dying down a lot. Hallelujah.

Now when I read articles about neighborhoods, I don't see "SoWa" (South Washington), "SoHa" (South Harrison) or, the worst one ever, "EaBo" (East Boston). It's bad enough that these names sound like Star Wars Characters ("Commander Eabo, I've got Rebels closing in, 5 o'clock"), but what's more disturbing to me is trying to figure out what the rationale was to rename them in the first place. Were the old names not good enough? Was it that what the old names are affiliated with isn't desirable to the clientele the real estate people are trying to attract? In effect, the changing of a neighborhood's name consequently affects that neighborhood's identity and culture. So who are these people to rename them?

EVERYONE I've seen interviewed on the news or with whom I have spoken about this has had a mixed reaction of laughter and confusion. Some, even anger. The whole situation is so ridiculous, it prompts me to fight back.

From now on I'll be sending mortgage payments to my MoCo and paying condo fees to my CoAss.