For the past several weeks I’ve driven by a mural project in process on the wall of the Greater Bethel AME Church, just south of the Seed on 40th Street. Each time I passed it I wanted to stop and ask about the mural. A few days ago on a walk I was able to pause for a conversation.
Two women were present, Maggie, the artist, and Gizette, the CEO of Shining Light Foundation, the organization coordinating the project. The mural features highlights of the life of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black boy from Chicago who was brutally murdered in Mississippi in August 1955. He was accused of whistling at a white woman, who later admitted that she was lying about the incident. Emmett was kidnapped from his great-uncle’s home and killed by the woman’s husband and his half-brother. To highlight the brutality of his murder, Emmett’s mother insisted on an open casket at his funeral. This sparked extreme outrage around the country, and was credited with igniting the Civil Rights Movement.
Gizette explained that her organization was in contact with Emmett Till’s family, and they were looking for a location for the mural. Through fortuitous circumstances, she came in contact with the pastor of Greater Bethel AME. He indicated they were open to having the mural on their wall. Yesterday the completed mural was unveiled, and as I drove by, it looked like a good sized crowd had gathered. It was my understanding that members of the Till family were going to be present, and I hope they were.
When I spoke with Gizette and Maggie that first morning, I told them about the Seed and our emphasis on social justice. I said I was honored to have this beautiful new mural in our neighborhood. Gizette asked if she could record me expressing my thoughts standing in front of the mural. After I finished, she said she was going to share it with the Till family. I don’t know if they heard my words, but I’m glad I took the time to stop and talk with Maggie and Gizette that day. I’m also grateful to have such a profound visual reminder of all the work we have left to do in this world to make it a safe and healthy place for every human, especially our children.
For more information about the artist, Maggie Keane, check out @maggiekeanezart on Instagram. Here’s an article about her as well. For more information about Shining Light Foundation, see this link.