There are two other Black Lives Matter street murals around the city of Bloomington that have been painted by different artists. Although these murals are not directed at any specific event in the Bloomington community, they are meant to contribute to the discussion on police brutality and racial inequality in the United States justice system. The local advisory council is thrilled to be involved with local artists focused on racial justice. According to the head of the local advisory council, “When we started this journey, we were mourning the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Now, we watch anxiously as the Chauvin trial is underway; and as if this isn’t enough, we are now grieving the loss of Daunte Wright. Coming together as a community to paint this mural is a powerful action that will also bring a bit of the consolation that we all need.”3 Overall, this street mural is a testament to the changing perceptions of race, authority, and discrimination in America and the importance of artists being activists.
Sources
“Black Lives Matter Street Mural, Bloomington, In.” George Floyd & Anti-Racist Street Art, https://georgefloydstreetart.omeka.net/items/show/3527.
The mural has since been removed and is no longer visible on the street.
Following the murder of George Floyd, the city of Chicago held several protests throughout the summer of 2020. Much like the rest of the country and world following the death of George Floyd, there were many different outcries by the neighborhoods in Chicago. The South Shore neighborhood was a hotspot for people to gather to create momentum for the Black Lives Matter cause. The mural was created in the South Shore neighborhood to help bring the community together and make everyone feel united. The artist and organizers thought it would best to create the mural in the heart of the community instead of placing it in front of controversial areas, so it had a deeper sense of importance for the South Shore community. The location of the mural was also specifically placed on Jeffery Boulevard because it is a heavily trafficked street in the neighborhood. William Calloway stated, “Jeffery Boulevard has thousands of commuters a day [2].” Commuters who passed through the neighborhood encountered the mural every day. Although there was more than just this one Black Lives Matter street mural created in Chicago, this was the first one created in the city.
Researched by the Urban Art Mapping Team
Sources