TCU’s mural was located on a sidewalk on campus and was chosen because it sits between the athletic and academic sides of campus. This was intentionally done to bridge the gap between students and student-athletes. After participating in the painting of the mural, students, athletes, and faculty were invited to sign their names on the mural showing their dedication and support to Hollins’ anti-racism pledge. The pledge on TCU’s student newspaper website reads, “Racism has penetrated the roots of our country and has been a part of its history since the beginning. With the climate of today’s world, we must decide what we are fighting for. No longer will we stand for any form of racism. By signing what we are fighting, you are committing to standing in solidarity with those who have fought against racism for years. By signing your name, you are committing to educating yourself and others about the injustices in America. By signing your name, you are committing to taking action. We must END RACISM” (Umsted). The fate of the mural remains unknown, although a Google Earth search does not show that the mural is still present.
Researched by Ellie Patronas
Sources
Umsted, Renee. “TCU Football Player Sparks Making of 'End Racism' Mural.” TCU 360, 29 Sept. 2020, tcu360.com/2020/08/10/tcu-football-player-sparks-making-of-end-racism-mural/.
Weeks, Jerome. “Hundreds Paint Mural Declaring 'End Racism Now' in Fort Worth.” Art&Seek, 11 Nov. 2020, artandseek.org/2020/06/29/hundreds-paint-mural-declaring-end-racism-now-in-fort-worth/.
There is no clear information on the mural’s current condition. The information posted by the Evanston Art Center and new articles have not been updated since the mural’s creation. Evanston Art Center did not respond to a request for an update. While it is uncertain, based on Google Earth maps, the mural seems to have been removed.
According to Catherine Buchaniec of the Daily Northwestern, like many in cities throughout the United States, residents of Evanston rallied together to protest against police brutality and for Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd. Students at Northwestern University also protested in Evanston. In addition, the creation of the mural in a private parking lot was significant because it took away the chances of it being removed by the government. Moreover, other street murals were dedicated to Black Lives Matter in Evanston. Karie Angell Luc and Genevieve Bookwalter of the Chicago Tribune report that a BLM mural created by the Evanston High School boy’s basketball team was defaced in July 2020.
Sources
https://georgefloydstreetart.omeka.net/items/show/3392Links to an external site.
https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/black-lives-matterLinks to an external site.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/evanston/ct-evr-evanston-black-lives-matter-street-tl-0709-20200706-rbreufgwbjfvpe2imw2ytgvn34-story.htmlLinks to an external site.
Researched by Kaitlyn Juni