Mural contains hurtful, divisive words and images

We have seen a mural that has gone up at Locust and Holton in the 6^th District, and we are troubled by the hurtful and divisive messaging it contains.

The same space (on private property) that has displayed a beautiful and inspiring mural of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Black woman murdered by Louisville Metro Police in 2020, is now displaying a mural featuring the Star of David with a swastika placed inside of it.

This same mural was vandalized within the past 36 hours. While calling on all to respect private property and First Amendment rights, it is also important to call out those who import symbols of division, hatred and violence to our community, and then act surprised when they are not welcomed with open arms.

Some people look for any excuse to wave a swastika. It has long been a symbol of intolerance and hatred, designed to psychologically injure and oppress those who are different. To see it displayed on the streets of our city is sad, distressing, and disheartening.

Art has the power to inspire, educate, and heal. However, by displaying the swastika, the mural triggers deep feelings and traumatic associations with atrocities, persecution, and genocide, and it is not welcome in our community.

Good art, in our opinion, can move people to initiate engagement and dialogue that can lead to positive change, or even to some level of mutual understanding.

This mural is not the way to move people in a positive direction, and we are requesting the property owner take it down in a spirit of healing.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.