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I am running for San Francisco School Board in November and recently published my contact information on the Elections website. I was expecting folks to reach out to ask for my positions on some of the issues and they have :)
Folks, I’m sure, are aware of last year’s heated debate over the removal or covering of the Life of Washinton murals at George Washington High Scool. An individual representing a group lobbying to maintain the murals in their current location reached out to ask me for my position on the debate. More on this debate here:
Overwhelmingly, those in favor of removing or covering the pieces consider them micro-aggressions. Their contention is that mention of the murals is typically something like a casual “Meet me at the dead Indian” as opposed to a discussion on social justice or systemic racism. To that end, Black and Native American students and parents have been asking for the removal of these murals for decades.
Opponents of the removal emphasize the legitimate artistic importance of the pieces and their relevance to the genre and as a teaching tool. They stress the importance of not erasing history.
I can definitely see the merits of both arguments but, at the end of the day, I have to choose the side of the students we serve. My response is below.
Thanks for reaching out. I would definitely be in favor of preserving the murals as a tool but not in their current location. I used to feel very differently about protecting the integrity of this kind of piece by adding context and thus avoiding discomfort. I felt that way about the confederate…
