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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSan Francisco to paint over historic George Washington mural
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) San Francisco will spend up to $600,000 to paint over historical artwork at a public school depicting the life of George Washington, a mural once seen as educational and innovative but now criticized as racist and degrading for its depiction of black and Native American people.
The Life of Washington was painted by Victor Arnautoff, one of the foremost muralists in the San Francisco area during the Depression. The San Francisco School Boards decision to paint over the 83-year-old mural is prompting some to worry that other artwork from the so-called New Deal era could face a similar fate because of changing sensitivities.
In addition to depicting Washington as a soldier, surveyor and statesman, the 13-panel, 1,600-sqaure foot mural at George Washington High School contains images of white pioneers standing over the body of a Native American and slaves working at Washingtons Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.
The boards decision last week comes at a time when the legacies of Washington and other historical figures who owned slaves are being re-examined. Some cities have changed the names of streets and buildings named after slave owners.
https://www.apnews.com/9f3037c7ec9d48a286059ac8f9975afe
madville
(7,412 posts)Some suggestions were to cover it with something besides painting over it but the argument is that everyone would know it was still there.
DeminPennswoods
(15,290 posts)silly...
Is this not historically accurate? White pioneers did kill Native Americans and Washington owned slaves. What does painting over those facts accomplish?
elleng
(131,176 posts)Raine
(30,541 posts)we need to remember where we came from to know where we're going. History was my college major, so hate to see it used this way
elleng
(131,176 posts)DeminPennswoods
(15,290 posts)There's a WPA mural in the local post office. It shows farmers and their young children working in the field. When I'm there, I love to tell others the story of its WPA origin and what it depicts. Interestingly, the mural is actually not painted on the wall as I had always believed. It's painted on canvas or another material and is attached to the wall. I'm wondering if this Washington mural is/was the same. If so, it could have been removed and I'd bet there was a museum or historical site out there that would have been happy to have and preserve it.
Historic NY
(37,454 posts)msongs
(67,459 posts)madville
(7,412 posts)They are expecting a few lawsuits
bitterross
(4,066 posts)I believe there is a huge difference between Washington, Jefferson and other founders who owned slaves and the Confederate generals and politicians who fought to keep slavery.
Yes, it was absolutely wrong to own other humans when Washington did it. I am not denying that.
I think this mural really could serve as an educational tool though. It could serve to begin the discussion of the heinous things we did to the Native Americans and African Americans. History classes at the school could visit the mural and discuss these things.
This mural, and others like it, were painted during the depression. They were not tools of the Jim Crowe era. They were not painted to remind African Americans to "stay in their place" the way the Confederate statues and monuments were.
I think we can honor the first President of the US and at the same time have the discussion about slavery and the mass destruction of Native American societies.
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Raine
(30,541 posts)BlueIdaho
(13,582 posts)This mural could provide a very powerful learning experience - helping our young students understand the dangers of historical distortions and the social pressures that contribute to it.
Dont paint over the mural, shine a light on it, the progress weve made, and the work we still need to do.
senseandsensibility
(17,157 posts)In fact, I was just about to post the same thing. What a great "hands on" real life history lesson. Teachers are more than capable of showing the students the context of the mural and why the scenes depicted are immoral. True knowledge is not only about things that we approve of.
BlueIdaho
(13,582 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,385 posts)I saw this story in the Times earlier this week. The top-rated comment said it all: Lets be thankful Guernica isnt in San Francisco.
greyl
(22,990 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,385 posts)Just like the mural.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Raine
(30,541 posts)this is really getting out of hand.
Response to madville (Original post)
littlemissmartypants This message was self-deleted by its author.
Tech
(1,773 posts)in itself, and if a multi millionaire wants to move it to a more appropriate place like a museum, fine. People can decide if they want to see it.
Just one person's opinion.