Repaint the racist mural in Red Hook, NY

I like that picture, reminds me of what it would have been like there 200 years ago.

Maybe we should conduct a little more research into the matter... I emailed the painter... because the woman in the mural is obviously void of African facial characteristics... in fact, her eyes are markedly Asiatic. Artist, Gloria DiPietro, claims the woman is a Dutch immigrant, she referred me to a plaque on the wall of the building in Red Hook that supposedly connects Dutch heritage with upstate New York. Good luck, Diane & Ezra

Bye, mural

Don't live there anymore but yeah growing up that mural was always a bit of a head scratcher.

We need change!

We all want the same things in life, to experience happiness and to not have to suffer. It’s obvious that this mural in Red Hook has caused many people great suffering. That alone is reason to change it, not to destroy it but to transform it so that no one continues to suffer. The times we live in point out to us that this is a time of great change and transformation. Even though we may fear change, it’s happening all around us and it’s not going to stop. We all have the opportunity to do something to enable a transformation in our collective human experience that benefits all of us. We can use our words and actions to move along this great moment of change in a positive direction. I am grateful to the young people who have stepped up to do the right thing. They are asking us to meet them at the crossroads and do the right thing too, one step, one paint stroke at a time. It’s sometimes hard to understand another’s suffering, but it’s so easy to be kind. What a wonderful, pragmatic opportunity to seize the moment and collectively heal and evolve. All for one, one for all. May Red Hook serve as a shining example of what is truly possible. Jan Hughes Ketchel Former Red Hook resident

The racist connotations of this mural are impossible to ignore and it is entirely inappropriate to be on display in the center of town. This artwork must be removed / painted over immediately. There are better ways to represent and acknowledge the history of the region without causing further pain and discomfort to already marginalized residents and visitors.

This has to go!

Equally as bad as the message the mural appears to send itself (regardless of the intent by the artist) is the horrendous response by our community. I'm appalled at the amount of white fragility and lack of empathy that my neighbors are showing. A historical depiction should not require a list of excuses or lengthy explanation to show that it's not racist-- it should just be painted in a way that no one will interpret it as racist to begin with.

Regardless of the intentions of the artist, the iconography used is clear and the context is obvious. This mural must be changed. If it sends a message of exclusion to Red Hook residents and visitors, it has no place in our town. There was recently a discussion at Yale about renaming a campus building. A few selections from their report explaining their decision which I found helpful are below, and perhaps the other commenters concerned about the perceived loss of town history may appreciate it: "There are 'two different concepts of history.' In one conception, history is a record of things from the past that should not be forgotten. In this view, removing an item from the historical record is like lying ... such removals are akin to the work of the infamous “Great Soviet Encyclopedia,” in which history became whatever the Party leaders wanted it to be at any given moment in time. In a second conception, however, history is the commemoration and memorialization of the past. Commemoration ... often confers honor and asserts pride. It can also convey mourning and loss. Either way, commemoration expresses values. In this second conception of history, a change in the way a community memorializes its past offers a way to recognize important alterations in the community’s values." The removal or alteration of this mural would be a step in the right direction for our values. RHHS Class of 2012

This mural has caused immense pain for residents and passersby. It is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by any community. These pains are not new. All that is new is more BIPoC individuals feel more comfortable coming forward now and more white folks are listening. Our community needs to come together in solidarity to be agents of anti-racist change. It doesn't matter what the intention was when creating this mural. What matters is the impact on the community, and it is clear this mural has caused harm and pain. White residents need to come together as active and listening allies and demand that this changes now and that a new mural goes up that represents the full demographics of Red Hook. We're done being silent.

We can do better

Tino I'm a local artist as well - and very willing to help. Find me @meggsdesigns

As someone who grew up in Red Hook and has immense pride in the community, I wholeheartedly support this petition. The Livingstons were an influential family that made a lasting impact on the community in the Hudson Valley. The original artist didn't have the benefit of looking through the lens of history, but we do. It's our obligation to reevaluate the choices of the past and the messages that exist in our community.

This is surprising and disturbing, it doesn't have any place in society.

If you need help painting it I’m down

As a resident of this building and town I urge you to repaint/repurpose this space

Just repaint it.

Former Bardian, current Catskill resident!!

This artwork shows a woman farming. I *never* considered the color looking at it. I was proud that Red Hook, who's origins started with farming, and still holds many farmers in it's embrace, that we are honoring this noble profession.