Re: [LM_NET] GEN: Censorship of Mural

[Lisa Hunt <lisa3moon@YAHOO.COM>]

I hope you get support and have a chance to fight this Board decision.  The mural 
sounds beautiful and meaningful.  We should not ignore our past just because it is 
a painful image.  Let us know if it is still there on Monday.

Diane Averett <daverett@KERRVANCE.COM> wrote:  Hello Wise Ones,

I need help!! Just outside my library door is a beautiful mural done by students 
about six years ago. The Frederick Douglass quotation (Once you learn to read you 
will be forever free) is painted over the door. On one side are two girls (one 
white, one black) reading a book under a blooming tree. On the other side is a 
black boy looking up towards an open book with his broken slavery chains following 
away from his wrists.

Apparently an outside group touring our school suggested that the slave boy was 
insensitive...I think the viewer didn't bother to read the quote...so now our Board 
of Trustees president has pretty much mandated that the entire mural be painted 
over...preferably over a week-end.

YIKES!!! I've contacted the parents of some of the artists (these kids are now 
finishing their freshmen years at college) to ask for support. I honestly don't 
know if the mural will be here when I return on Monday.

What must I do? Someone suggested that we just paint over the boy's chains, but I 
say that changes the whole message and it still smacks of censorship. Am I being 
unreasonable?

Thanks for any advice you can give. I know it's hard since you can't see the mural 
but it really is lovely.

--
Diane Averett/Librarian
Kerr-Vance Academy
700 Vance Academy Rd.
Henderson, NC 27537
daverett@kerrvance.com
--

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------



        Lisa Hunt
  School Library Media Specialist
  National Board Certified Teacher
  Moore, OK





                
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) 
for 2¢/min or less.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------