Community Discussion | Symbolism versus Meaningful Action

In this discussion, we will be addressing Symbolism versus Meaningful Action, by looking at the various Black Lives Matter murals that have been painted over the last week. We invite you to read these articles (links below) and join a Zoom call on Thursday June 18, 5:00-6:30pm, for informal discussion among current students, incoming students and faculty.  

We’ll kick off the discussion with a brief introduction on the topic, then break into smaller discussion groups. Following the break-out groups, we will come back together to assess what we have learned and what we are still missing.  

Please email micahdor@design.upenn.edu for the Zoom link.

Articles:

BLM DC RESPONSE TO BOWSER MURAL

The DC Mayor Had "Black Lives Matter" Painted Onto The Street. A Day Later, Protesters Added "Defund The Police."
Buzzfeed, Kadia Goba (PDF here) 

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser: 'Not At All' Reconsidering Police Funding
NPR, Doubek (PDF here)

We need action to accompany art
The Boston Globe, Brandi Summers (PDF here)

The Mimetic Power of D.C.’s Black Lives Matter Mural
The New Yorker, Kyle Chayka (PDF here)