Positive mural has been distorted into negative
The article from Aug. 21 (“Petitioners seek changes in mural of bateau traffic”) mentions a “controversy that has been brewing for months.” Understand that Ms. Elretha Perkins has pretty much single-handedly been the brewer of this dissent.
The attractive, 36-foot mural in Eden, which depicts river business by black entrepreneurs more than a century ago, is being spun politically into something racially divisive. Rather than create a mural of people of color in forced fieldwork or sharecropping, the artists chose a multicultural glimpse of the day. The little-known role of these boatmen could have remained largely unknown if not for the research that went into developing this work. I see not a trace of disrespect toward any race.
Not because I’m white, but because it isn’t there.
“We want the true history told,” Perkins said.
Artist Kitty Williams explained that “learning of blacks’ contributions to the area’s commerce excited and thrilled her.”
True history was, in fact, the basis for this impressive and colorful mural. As an Eden homeowner, I am pleased to see real art where all can enjoy it, and to be able through the art to learn something about local history.
Bret H. Hart
Eden
Comments (2)
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Sounds like Ms. Elretha Perkins has a very distorted view of any history involving black people . . . she's a hater, a poser and a phony . . .
I bet she has no problem with gang grafitti scrawled on walls depicting black people as thugs, dealers, pimps and ho's . . . didn't see anyone fighting to remove this sterotyping art on walls of buildings . . .
Posted on September 4, 2008 9:31 AM
J Peterman Reality Tour,
If I were you, I would be careful about calling someone a phony unless J Peterman is your given name.
Now,I have viewed the mural in Eden and with respect to Ms. Perkins,I didn't find it offensive.You must take in account the time period that the mural is portrayed and what is taking place in the mural.
I guess Ms. Perkins is like most African-Americans when it come to being skeptical about white people honoring Black people or dedicating anything in our honor.
I learned a long time ago about African-American history but I didn't learn it in our public fool oh,I mean school system. African -American people built this country brick by brick on slave labor and low wage employment thus allowing the "privilege" to send their children to the best colleges and universities this nation had to offer. Yet we rise to become diamonds from a lump of coal.
Black folk,teach your children,teach them about the importance of a quality education.So many of our elders fought,bled and marched so we could have some of the opportunities that our "privilege" brothers and sisters have. Teach them about respect for others and themselves(pull your pants up,brother)
Posted on September 4, 2008 4:58 PM