Artwork helps racial dialogues go beyond meeting rooms
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Two large murals have gone up in downtown Santa Barbara that have awakened discussions of inclusion and unity at a time of heated racial divides nationwide.
On the wall of Brownie's Market on Haley Street a dark hand and a white hand are together in a full-size painting on the building.
Next to mural has a quote from the late South African leader Nelson Mandela.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
Santa Barbara artist Danny Meza said he was asked to do the piece and was able to turn it around in one day.
"Everyone from every color and race was super happy to see it. We had a good response the entire time. It was beautiful," said Meza.
He says there is a strong sense of community in Santa Barbara and it has a good baseline to begin discussions of improving equality. He conveys that in his art. "My mother taught me how to love everybody. No matter what. I never saw color really, I treated everyone the same," said Meza.
Singer Ron Paris was in front of the George Floyd mural on the side of the EOS Lounge nightclub on Wednesday. He has lived through several periods of turmoil including the explosive 1960's, the Rodney King beating, the L.A. riots and other difficult conflicts.
In Santa Barbara, he says he is optimistic about the changes ahead with a commitment from local leaders and he hopes the public sees real progress. "We're at a good place. All we have to do is realize that," said Paris.
He was impressed with the mix of people who have stopped by to see the mural, bringing their children and taking pictures.
"This is the love, when you see it, when you hear it and especially when you feel it, " said Paris.
The EOS mural was created by Griffin Lounsbury and Chadillac Green who worked on it for two days.
L.A. Valley College Football Coach Nate Turner, a former NFL player, was in town from his home in Los Angeles where massive rallies and civil disobedience have boiled up this week.
He saw and felt a spirit in the area to have conversations about issues in need of change. Turner said, "There's acknowledgement in the community representing and supporting the movement, so that's impressive."
As a coach he talks to his players about their team unity, and opportunities ahead with athletics, education and a life balanced to handle people with differences.
Along with many African Americans he says every community needs to listen to blacks, and show there is a true understanding of the issues that may lead to an imbalance for this and future generations.
"Black people that speak for the community. Black people with real issues. Once you hear those concerns, I think you can start making some changes," said Turner.
In a city where artwork on buildings usually goes through months of review, both of the murals on Haley Street were painted within just a few days. It is unknown if the property owners will be required to go through any further scrutiny now that the work is up.
Vir Singh is the son of the Brownie's Market owner. He said, "People needed something hopeful and something positive. When you see the two different colors of hands, no matter what color you are no matter where you stand, if you come together and care about each other, things will be better."
The main takeaway from the mural there is a universal meaning. "No matter what is going on, it is a message everyone can get behind. Anyone can stand behind that message. Caring for one another and being there for one another." said Singh.
