Arts in the Black Lives Matter Movement
The Black Lives Matter Street Mural
On June 20, 2020, graffiti artists Stamy Paul and Ricky Smith gathered a group of spray paint artists and activists to create the Black Lives Matter street mural in Cleveland, Ohio. On the road of East 93rd Street, each letter of “Black Lives Matter” was spray painted in bold letters with a kaleidoscope of hidden artwork and messages within each letter.
Stamy Paul, founder and President of Graffiti HeArt shares the story behind the BLM Street Mural
Protests
Even during times of a national pandemic, activists could not help but take to the streets to protest the racial injustice (masks on of course). In a poll done by CNN, it was found that by mid June over 21 million adults had attended a Black Lives Matter or police brutality protest. Usage of signs made the intentions of the activists clear. Protestors of all ages held signs with messages such as “Black Lives Matter”, “No Justice No Peace” and “Defund the Police”. Primarily made out of cardboard and a sharpie, the signs were simple, concise and effective.Protestors not only used signs to express their message but also their voices. Chants rang loud through crowds of hundreds of protestors. These chants were often led by a drummer or activist leading a call and response to keep the protestors in sync. These chants delivered a message that cannot be missed: we demand to be heard.
Below are the transcriptions of a few popular chants that can be heard at BLM protests:
The Removal of Public Art
Statues of Confederate Leaders and Christopher Columbus are being torn down and graffitied on by some activists. To elaborate, following the death of George Floyd, the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was toppled in Richmond, Virginia. Further, a Christopher Columbus statue in Boston was beheaded due to Columbus’s identity as a racist and an instigator of attempted gynecide. Those who support the BLM movement do not feel that the sculptures of these historical figures should continue to be praised. In this case, the removal of public art is an act of expression.
