Why the Imperialism Mural at GL Should Be Replaced
24 Comments
G
GLHS Student Activism Club
· petition starter
7 years ago
Thank you for the feed back! We just want to stress that one of the reasons people would like to see it taken down is because it is outdated. Of course the students who painted it didn’t know that what they were painting would make other people uncomfortable, but we have been further educated and a lot of people (including lots of current teachers at Governor Livingston) have actually talked to us as a club and shared that they too dislike the mural and the stereotypical messages it can tend to display. We agree, Imperialism is a really terrible part of our past and something that we should be exposed to, but it should be done so in a manner that doesn’t generalize and stereotype the people who our country has done wrong in the past. Once again, we really do appreciate the feedback and it’s always great to hear both sides of the story!
Z
Zara Wanca
7 years ago
In the least offensive way possible and on the behalf of majority of GLHS students... this mural was painted by one of my family members and I think that this mural does a great job of displaying the history that we learn and I do not personally see it as stereotypical, racist, or discriminatory. Also my cousin is absolutely not the type of person you are making these former students out to be, I would like you to maybe speak with the people who painted it and also understand that unfortunately racism and stereotypes were part and still are part of our past and present, and as wonderful as it is that you guys are all about making changes... This is actually a great display of us confronting the past of our country and I would like to understand what makes this mural so terrible because in my eyes and many others it seems like a regular educational mural, and I do not think any students or teachers would purposely paint a mural to offend anybody. Most importantly I have not heard of any other students complaining about this mural my whole highschool career and I also know that for the time it has been up nobody else has had an issue with it and I would hate to see my cousins art along with many other former students who I know go just because people are making it out to be evil and cruel. Once again please don’t take offense I am just pointing out what others are trying to say and why I think this situation should be discussed a little more and people should see both sides before signing a petition.
Thank you for the feed back! We just want to stress that one of the reasons people would like to see it taken down is because it is outdated. Of course the students who painted it didn’t know that what they were painting would make other people uncomfortable, but we have been further educated and a lot of people (including lots of current teachers at Governor Livingston) have actually talked to us as a club and shared that they too dislike the mural and the stereotypical messages it can tend to display. We agree, Imperialism is a really terrible part of our past and something that we should be exposed to, but it should be done so in a manner that doesn’t generalize and stereotype the people who our country has done wrong in the past. Once again, we really do appreciate the feedback and it’s always great to hear both sides of the story!
In the least offensive way possible and on the behalf of majority of GLHS students... this mural was painted by one of my family members and I think that this mural does a great job of displaying the history that we learn and I do not personally see it as stereotypical, racist, or discriminatory. Also my cousin is absolutely not the type of person you are making these former students out to be, I would like you to maybe speak with the people who painted it and also understand that unfortunately racism and stereotypes were part and still are part of our past and present, and as wonderful as it is that you guys are all about making changes... This is actually a great display of us confronting the past of our country and I would like to understand what makes this mural so terrible because in my eyes and many others it seems like a regular educational mural, and I do not think any students or teachers would purposely paint a mural to offend anybody. Most importantly I have not heard of any other students complaining about this mural my whole highschool career and I also know that for the time it has been up nobody else has had an issue with it and I would hate to see my cousins art along with many other former students who I know go just because people are making it out to be evil and cruel. Once again please don’t take offense I am just pointing out what others are trying to say and why I think this situation should be discussed a little more and people should see both sides before signing a petition.
Bout bloody time
!!!!!