Professors Condemn the Removal of George Washington Mural in San Francisco
Jose Nino
|
After a San Francisco school board voted to paint over a mural depicting the life of George Washington, over 500 academics signed an open letter urging the board to reverse course.
This decision was made after accusations of the mural traumatizing students and glorifying “slavery, genocide, colonization, manifest destiny, white supremacy, oppression.” USA Today reported that hundreds of educators are protesting this decision, calling it a “gross violation of logic” as the mural actually represents “a significant monument of anti-racism.”
The mural was created by Russian-American painter Victor Arnautoff in 1936, according to a report from the Richmond District Blog. Some of the mural’s images were attacked during the civil rights movement over its portrayal of slavery and Native Americans.
The school district created a “Reflection and Action Group” to determine how to proceed with the mural series. The group issued the following statement on the mural removal:
We come to these recommendations due to the continued historical and current trauma of Native Americans and African Americans with these depictions in the mural that glorifies slavery, genocide, colonization, manifest destiny, white supremacy, oppression, etc. This mural doesn’t represent SFUSD values of social justice, diversity, united, student-centered. It’s not student-centered if it’s focused on the legacy of artists, rather than the experience of the students. If we consider the SFUSD equity definition, the “low” mural glorifies oppression instead of eliminating it. It also perpetuates bias through stereotypes rather than ending bias. It has nothing to do with equity or inclusion at all. The impact of this mural is greater than its intent ever was. It’s not a counter-narrative if [the mural] traumatizes students and community members.
Rachael Z. DeLue, an Art History and American Studies professor at Princeton University, told USA Today that the mural shouldn’t be removed:
“If we cover it up and we whitewash it, not only are we doing a disservice to history, but we’re also doing a disservice to those who suffered at the hands of European-descended Americans: slaves and Native Americans who were traumatized and killed.”
DeLue added, “It’s also the case that this isn’t simply of the past. The legacies of slavery and federal policy about Native Americans live on in the present.”
Paul Von Blum, a senior lecturer in African American studies and communications studies at University of California, Los Angeles, suggested that students become more mentally tough.
“I know it causes students to cringe, but that’s the function of art,” Von Blum said to USA Today. “And art should never be censored.”
The fanatics of political correctness culture don’t seem to rest.
BLP reported on monument removal proposals taking place in states like Texas, Virginia, and South Carolina. These states are low-hanging given their locations in the South.
However, they’re just a trial run for the ultimate goal of destroying foundational figures of American history. What is taking place in San Francisco shows what will happen if America First patriots concede ground to the PC Left.
American history could be very likely be on the chopping block if we let the Left to continue to advance.
Share: