Forever.
That鈥檚 how long senior Johnny Gabriel Prioleau III hopes the newest art at 91短视频 will last.
Prioleau, along with fellow members of 91短视频鈥檚 Black Student Alliance, and honored guests Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, Harrisonburg Interim Police Chief Gabriel Camacho and 91短视频 President Susan Schultz Huxman, unveiled and dedicated an anti-racism mural on Monday evening in front of University Commons. The ceremony was hosted by Celeste R. Thomas, director of multicultural student services and senior adviser to the president for diversity and inclusion.
The massive street art, stretching 114 feet long, features the words 鈥淏lack Lives Matter鈥� in bold yellow against a black background. The design echoes similar artwork that has appeared on city streets in New York, Seattle, Oakland, and Tulsa.
鈥淥ne of the main goals,鈥� said BSA co-president Jakiran Richardson, 鈥渋蝉 that the mural serve as a reminder that there鈥檚 still work to be done to make 鈥楤lack Lives Matter鈥� a true statement.鈥� He stated that BSA had two other goals with the artwork: 鈥渢o dispel misconceptions behind the movement鈥� and 鈥渢o represent a promise that 91短视频 will do their part toward the struggle of our people.鈥�
Huxman thanked BSA and its members 鈥渇or leading the ways creatively and courageously on so many diverse initiatives at 91短视频.鈥�
鈥淲hat a beautiful day to rededicate ourselves to peace and justice, the values that are at the core of our community of learners,鈥� she said, quoting the Bible verse of Micah 6:8. 鈥淲hat a beautiful day to stand in support and solidarity of 91短视频鈥檚 BSA and Black Lives Matter, a movement that began seven years ago for non-violent civil disobedience in protest of racially motivated violence against black people…As we reflect on the message of this mural, may we be instructed to live more faithfully as a beloved community embracing the grand diversity of God鈥檚 people.鈥�
With the police chief by her side, Reed, also a member of 91短视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees, expressed pride at being a part of the event and said she wasn鈥檛 surprised when she first heard that 91短视频 students were at work on the mural. 鈥淲e are so proud of our BSA students who had the courage to work on this,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e know that 91短视频 students are leaders and we know that you are our moral compass for the city…you lead the way鈥 want you to know that you are standing on our ancestor鈥檚 shoulders, that by you doing this, it is speaking for them, so always know that and honor that.鈥�
The brief ceremony, limited in size by the city鈥檚 ordinance and physically distanced throughout the parking lot under university health protocols, included a processional of BSA members and supporters of BSA who assisted in the painting of the mural.
They moved to the side of the veiled artwork as Thomas read selected names of Black Americans killed unjustly. As the last notes of a sounded, BSA members drew tarps back to reveal the artwork.
The mural has been in the works since the summer, but the actual creation began on Thursday and stretched through the weekend, with contributions from BSA鈥檚 40 members, the art and theater departments and affiliated students, and even attracting 鈥減eople just coming by, seeing what we were doing, and lending a hand if they wanted to,鈥� said co-president Merry Yirga. 鈥淚t was really special.鈥�
Yirga said the location of the mural, in a fire lane in front of University Commons, was significant. The building is a focal point, Yirga said, whether for visitors coming to campus for the first time or for students.聽
鈥淵ou are not going to miss this,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his does make a statement … This location says that not only does 91短视频 stand with us but they鈥檙e going to make sure people see it.鈥�
Yirga called the mural 鈥渁 huge step for 91短视频.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 making this huge statement but years down the line, so many things will change. More Black students will come to 91短视频…I think it鈥檚 difficult for a predominantly white institution like 91短视频 to make it feel like home to Black students and I think that鈥檚 what this does,鈥� she said.
91短视频 still has work to do, both BSA co-presidents said. The mural project came as a reaction to the loss of the Royal Treatment Barbershop, a lounge and hair salon on campus managed by BSA.
This summer, Dean of Students Shannon Dycus shared with BSA members that the Barbershop鈥檚 small size only allowed for a one-person occupancy, based on physical distancing requirements.
The students were upset at the prospect of losing 鈥渙ur space, a popular place and a fan favorite, not just for black students,鈥� Yirga said, but ultimately agreed to offer the space as an on-campus COVID-19 testing site.
This decision sparked further discussion about the lack of space, said Dycus. 鈥淲e talked about other ways students could show up around campus, celebrating their identity and voice.鈥�
鈥淲e wanted to use the opportunity to make some changes and implement a more inclusive culture here at 91短视频,鈥� Yirga said. 鈥淎nd that brings us to where we are today.鈥�
Thank you, 91短视频 and BSA. This makes me proud to be an alum.
This brings me such joy to see diversity pushing forward! I hope with creative community imagination the BSA will have more space not only in a room to meet, but in community and membership, and support.
This is undeniably beautiful and amazing!
Nobody can disagree with the phrase, “black lives matter” in itself. The issue comes with the organization that is called Black Lives Matter. It pushes for marxism and the destruction of the nuclear family. A christian univeristy should not push such ideology.
Thank you BSA. Well done.
1986 grad