Two advocates worked together to create a “Black Lives Matter” mural in Greenwood in response to social unrest throughout the nation.
Protests have been held in many cities over the deaths of Black Americans, including George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed man who was pinned to the ground during an arrest in Minneapolis. Four former police officers involved in the incident have been charged.
Derrick Washington, a landscaper, painted the mural near Carrollton Avenue and Main Street. He said it took him a total of eight hours over two days.
“People got tired, and at some point, somebody came up with Black Lives Matter,” Washington said, “and now it can’t be stopped, in my opinion, because people know. It’s not just some fringe group.”
According to the movement’s website, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi “created a Black-centered political will and movement building project called #BlackLivesMatter” in 2013 in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Black youth Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Washington said some may oppose his mural. “As soon as people become ‘woke,’ so to speak, and started speaking out, you have the same group of people trying to oppress them and hold them down not liking it,” Washington said. “Some people even label Black Lives Matter as a terrorist group. Please. … You have a group of people here that don’t even like to discuss racism.”
Edward Johnson, a Marine Corps veteran who often carries an American flag through downtown Greenwood, curated the mural and hired Washington as the artist.
Johnson, who described himself as “a peaceful person,” said he was inspired by the large-scale Black Lives Matter mural painted on a road that spans two blocks in front of Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. “We are down here in Greenwood, and they have the Black Lives Matter going on in D.C., so I decided to bring it here ... before they start any sort of violence, any kind of protest,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to get a message.”
Johnson said the mural is intended to be a symbol of harmony and not division. “I want people to pull up here, taking pictures, and they look and say, ‘This is something nice for the community,’” he said.
Washington said he wants people to think about the true message of the movement.
“Think about George Floyd and all those who came before him, and have some empathy,” Washington said. “We just want to be treated equally; that’s it.”
•Contact Adam Bakst at 581-7233 or abakst@gwcommonwealth.com. Twitter: @AdamBakst_GWCW
