CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT Bloomfield support for Black Lives Matter Mural supports equity movement
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n one of the most sustained movements in American history, the citizens of the United States have resoundingly supported the message of Black Lives Matter. Municipalities have begun showing their support by creating murals in support of racial equity. Recently, Bloomfield emblazoned an area near town hall with a colorful rendition of the slogan, the first of three planned murals throughout town. In early June, during the George Floyd protests, a display in large block yellow letters was painted on 16th Street NW. This mural gained some attention around the country and, renowned Civil Rights leader and Representative for Georgia, the late John Lewis took some of his last photos at this street mural before passing. Since then, towns and cities across the country that have chosen to paint a Black Lives Matter street mural have gotten creative with their displays. Replacing the plain yellow letters are colorful explorations created by local artists, with a different artist or team for each letter. The Hartford Courant gives the artists as LaShawn Robinson (B), Zazzarro DeCarish (L), Evangeline Monroe (A), Taris Clemons (C), Linda Robinson (K), Sacha Kelly (L), Che LaMora (I), Tony Le (V), Chris Gann (E), Ashley Innocent (S), Michael Borders (M), Trae Brooks (A), Anne Gogh (T), Aariyan Googe (T), Harmal Franceschini (E) and Driena Baldwin (R). A dedication ceremony was attended by Christian,
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Muslim, and clergy, according to the same article, with poetry readings, calls to vote and fill out the census, as well as speeches by Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysewicz, State Representatives and Senators, as well as the CEO of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Jay Williams, the organization that funded the mural through a grant. Though Bloomfield is a majority Black town, with Mayor DeBeatham-Brown saying that she expects the census to show a nearly two-thirds plurality of Black residents, there were some detractors from the message. In order to prevent vandalism, a clear protective sealant was applied. Bloomfield is not the first municipality, nor the last to reveal murals in support of Black Lives Matter. Larger cities like New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, and Hartford have all unveiled murals or have plans for additional murals. The murals are a great way to celebrate equity and unity amongst all Connecticut residents. Through public art, we can represent the struggles of the past and today, and use them as a beacon for understanding how we make the future a better, more equal place for everyone. Placing the mural in front of Town Hall, Bloomfield sends a powerful message that through local government we have the power to change the things we can no longer accept.
