I recently read Joe Barrera’s Gazette column, ‘CC and FAC wrong on mural removal’ on Nov. 28 and Jennifer Mulson’s article, ‘Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center to remove controversial murals’ on Nov. 16. I agree with some of the sentiments in both articles, but I wonder when it’s going to stop. The Fine Arts Center murals by Ward Lockwood represent a time period in our history.
When will we decide enough of our history has been erased, removed, or covered up that we don’t have a history at all? Our history is our history, for better or worse and we need to learn from it. We need to have it available to encourage open, honest, and fair conversations. Instead, we are locking it up like a dirty little secret we don’t want to come to light. Doesn’t this also stifle open dialogue on a vast array of subjects?
Removing Murals Doesn’t Change History
Removing the murals doesn’t change the history of our country, but it does highlight our way of dealing with that history. Instead of keeping the murals on display and using it as a conversation starter, we are removing it.
What happens, if by removing the murals, you offend more people than if you had left the murals up? I agree with Jim Raughton, former Chair of the Fine Arts Center Trustees and longtime philanthropist who recommended leaving the murals on the walls but including written statements on the different viewpoints. This would foster conversation and maybe even change a few minds.
Will History Repeat Itself?
If we don’t have daily reminders of our history, are we doomed to repeat it? It is a simple question we need to ask ourselves as we remove the visible manifestations of our history.
