Black Lives Matter Street Mural

The Davis Phoenix Coalition would like to thank all the volunteers that came out and helped spray Black Live Matter on 2nd Street. Our beautiful rainbow street mural brought visibility, pride and a sense of belonging to the marginalize in our community. The rainbow colors were a clear representation of the intersectionality of our work for all people affected by injustice and the allies that support us in the work towards a place where everyone is safe, respected and free from violence. After the killing of George Floyd our community along with the rest of the Nation voiced outrage over the clear inhumanity blatantly displayed by the police officers in the incident. This incident coming on the heels of the killing of Ahmaud Arbrey at the hands of vigilantes fanned the smoldering Black Lives Matter movement into an inferno.

The Black Lives Matter movement continues the work of the civil rights movement of the 60s by declaring  “Every day, we recommit to healing ourselves and each other, and to co-creating alongside comrades, allies, and family a culture where each person feels seen, heard, and supported. We acknowledge, respect, and celebrate differences and commonalities. We work vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension, all people.” The Black lives matter organization was founded after the killing of Travon Martin and really took off after the killing of Michael Brown.  Its work to call out anti-blackness and systems that perpetuate it, has become firmly established not only nationally but internationally as well. It has ushered in and brought into the conscience of the mainstream the idea that we must reevaluate and challenge the idea that institutions even as exalted as policing and education can contain prejudice and injustice. It is common for conflict to arise when ideas surface that change the landscape of long held truths. Sixty years ago the peace symbol was associated with the counter culture and the demise of American values. People are defensive when confronted with a symbol that threatens to change the balance power.

So it is not surprising that, as much as people can agree with the core principles of Black Live Matter, it can elicit strong reactions of defense and fear.  This often leads to divisiveness. Our Street Mural in Davis was not immune to these reactions. The City quickly received request to place alternate messaging on the street. Because of the way we were given permission, the City would have had to allow other messages to be put down and this could have quickly gotten out of hand and caused possible traffic problems. The decision was thus made by the City to have it power washed and examine the policy around civic speech. The good news is that this has prompted the City to consider installing art that honors our black community.

We are pleased that we involved more than just the volunteers that came out that early morning to install it. We ignited the community in conversation, brought a sense of visibility, pride and belonging to our marginalized members and paved a path for placing art for our black community in the forefront. We truly appreciate all the work everyone did to make this possible. As always, I am deeply humbled and proud of our community and their level of commitment and work towards social justice.