The residents of one of Savannah’s African American neighborhoods awoke one morning to the astonishment of a giant black chalk board, a so-called “mural of art “ sprawled on the side of a building facing a heavily trafficked residential area. On a card provided by the erecting organization, it was stated that the huge board was to offer residents, (Apparently African Americans at this location) an opportunity for self expression. Often times self-expression exercises of this nature are a part of a carefully orchestrated study. They question what the board is structured to say about us? Conscious home owners and residents in general question its validity for these residents.
The members and residents of this over 35-year organized neighborhood association were not informed of this board’s purpose nor planned arrival. The residents do not consider this as art at all, rather a blaring eyesore. These dedicated residents have worked tirelessly to comply with all city ordinances for keeping their taxes current, the neighborhood safe, free of blight, and always with a spirit of brotherhood. Now the residents feel slighted and disrespected, like they have no rights at all. Truly art is in the eye of the beholder, but since these residents do not feel this is art, why should they have to behold it and have NO say while they increasingly pay?
Today these residents ask:
Are African Americans again made to live limited existences forced on them by the whims of persons of another hue? Are there separate laws again governing the two races? Are African Americans again paying taxes to receive little to no representation? Are African Americans again made to eat of the tainted fruit called racism knowing it will invariably erode the very lining of their stomachs – the very essence of our souls? Their true satisfaction lies in the knowledge that GOD will also return to right these and ALL wrongs!
RESIDENTS BLOG:
Miss Renni: There are pros and cons to everything, but respect should be given where respect is due. We should have been respected well enough to be contacted before making such a bold statement with this unsightly black board.
Mrs. Jenkins: Positive artistic murals to our liking are good, but this is not. Many times the lewd graffiti and statements were placed on this wall from people outside of our neighborhood, and it makes us look bad. A great deal of our residents are seniors, and I know they would not have drawn that male sexual organ on the wall. We should have been informed of what and why it was being put up. As it stands, I feel it must be taken down.
Roots: What purpose does this serve and what actual face can be seen asking the questions. It is not important to us, as we weren’t even consulted to be sure it addressed our needs, so who is this ugly black board important to? It does nothing to benefit us. I know we can’t and I didn’t think others could put up signs, posters, or billboards such as this thing without approval from the city. Why was our neighborhood singled out? We have more important needs and concerns than to be bothered with this invasion. There are too many squatter invasions coming to take over our neighborhood that show more love for the animals than for spending governmental or corporate time and resources for sustaining the lives of today’s poor humans.
