San Francisco to paint over historic George Washington mural

[madville]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco will spend up to $600,000 to paint over historical artwork at a public school depicting the life of George Washington, a mural once seen as educational and innovative but now criticized as racist and degrading for its depiction of black and Native American people.

The “Life of Washington” was painted by Victor Arnautoff, one of the foremost muralists in the San Francisco area during the Depression. The San Francisco School Board’s decision to paint over the 83-year-old mural is prompting some to worry that other artwork from the so-called New Deal era could face a similar fate because of changing sensitivities.

In addition to depicting Washington as a soldier, surveyor and statesman, the 13-panel, 1,600-sqaure foot mural at George Washington High School contains images of white pioneers standing over the body of a Native American and slaves working at Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.

The board’s decision last week comes at a time when the legacies of Washington and other historical figures who owned slaves are being re-examined. Some cities have changed the names of streets and buildings named after slave owners.

https://www.apnews.com/9f3037c7ec9d48a286059ac8f9975afe

[madville]

1. I wish there was a way to preserve it instead of destroying it

Some suggestions were to cover it with something besides painting over it but the argument is that everyone would know it was still there.

[DeminPennswoods]

2. Things seem to be getting a bit

silly...

Is this not historically accurate? White pioneers did kill Native Americans and Washington owned slaves. What does painting over those facts accomplish?

[elleng]

12. Yes, history suffers AGAIN/still.

[Raine]

19. This is so sad

we need to remember where we came from to know where we're going. History was my college major, so hate to see it used this way

[elleng]

20. Ditto, and it's GONE.

[DeminPennswoods]

22. Yes, it is

There's a WPA mural in the local post office. It shows farmers and their young children working in the field. When I'm there, I love to tell others the story of its WPA origin and what it depicts. Interestingly, the mural is actually not painted on the wall as I had always believed. It's painted on canvas or another material and is attached to the wall. I'm wondering if this Washington mural is/was the same. If so, it could have been removed and I'd bet there was a museum or historical site out there that would have been happy to have and preserve it.

[Historic NY]

18. I agree....

[msongs]

3. $600K is a scam. all one needs is a hundred gallons of $20/gallon beige paint nt

[madville]

10. Most of the money is for the environmental impact study and legal fees

They are expecting a few lawsuits

[bitterross]

4. This is a little too far - in my opinion.

I believe there is a huge difference between Washington, Jefferson and other founders who owned slaves and the Confederate generals and politicians who fought to keep slavery.

Yes, it was absolutely wrong to own other humans when Washington did it. I am not denying that.

I think this mural really could serve as an educational tool though. It could serve to begin the discussion of the heinous things we did to the Native Americans and African Americans. History classes at the school could visit the mural and discuss these things.

This mural, and others like it, were painted during the depression. They were not tools of the Jim Crowe era. They were not painted to remind African Americans to "stay in their place" the way the Confederate statues and monuments were.

I think we can honor the first President of the US and at the same time have the discussion about slavery and the mass destruction of Native American societies.

[mr_lebowski]

8. This ... +100 ... and 600K is f***ing ridiculous ... (nt)

[Raine]

17. Exactly! nt

[BlueIdaho]

5. This should be used as a teachable moment.

This mural could provide a very powerful learning experience - helping our young students understand the dangers of historical distortions and the social pressures that contribute to it.

Don’t paint over the mural, shine a light on it, the progress we’ve made, and the work we still need to do.

[senseandsensibility]

9. Could not agree more!!

In fact, I was just about to post the same thing. What a great "hands on" real life history lesson. Teachers are more than capable of showing the students the context of the mural and why the scenes depicted are immoral. True knowledge is not only about things that we approve of.

[BlueIdaho]

11. You said a mouthful!

[BeyondGeography]

6. Utter madness

I saw this story in the Times earlier this week. The top-rated comment said it all: Let’s be thankful Guernica isn’t in San Francisco.

[greyl]

13. WTF about Guernica is racist or otherwise looked upon with disdain in contemporary times? nt

[BeyondGeography]

16. It's the fucking truth

Just like the mural.

[Tipperary]

14. No shit.

[Raine]

15. Agree

this is really getting out of hand.

[Tech]

21. I find it offensive and inappropriate for a high school. It has an interesting history

in itself, and if a multi millionaire wants to move it to a more appropriate place like a museum, fine. People can decide if they want to see it.

Just one person's opinion.