Recently, the Kansas City, MO metro area joined other cities in creating Black Lives Matter street murals. Many members of the Black community voiced their opinions on the murals and the change, or lack thereof, that they’re bringing to our communities and the injustices we, as Black people, face everyday.
Art of a Rebel talked to Jerry Washington, a local art teacher and creative. Washington teaches Art at De La Salle Education Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and told us about his passion for art. “I draw, I paint, I build stuff,” he said. “It keeps me grounded.”
While discussing the Black Lives Matter movement and the inspiration behind the street murals, Washington informed us that local members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority helped curate the murals. “When I saw that it was happening, I couldn’t NOT do it,” he said. “Not only is it about us, but how would I feel if they had the [majority] folk out here doing stuff that we should be doing,” he continued. “During the 50’s and Civil Rights era, our people fought to do this kind of shit. I would be remiss if I did not show my face.”
Focusing on mental health, Washington explained how art has helped him overcome mental obstacles throughout his life. “Art has kept me out of a lot of trouble,” he laughed. “We have to be aware that mental is a huge issue in our community, especially for young Black men who grew up without fathers and need mentors,” he said. “I was shot when I was in high school. I could have went left, but I chose to go right. I could have been a whole different person standing in front of you today,” he stated. “Art has definitely kept me from going towards the dark, and instead towards the light.”
