1600 North Mount Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
Submitted by:
NaTorreya P.
What type of leadership is present in the community?
Community
How is this art specifically seen in the community?
Hurt, anger, unrest and HOPE. The mural is of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black male from West Baltimore neighborhood of Sandtown-Winchester, who was arrested in his neighborhood and later died in police custody due to a severed spine. The mural depicts Freddie Gray’s face with the riots that followed his death behind him. There are 2 sides of the mural one with people from his community fighting for and advocating for him and others affected by police brutality. On the left side there are several mean in suits holding an American Flag, this depicts the justice system that continues to fail African Americans. It depicts a system that was not made for the community Freddie Gray was a part of.
How do you think the art has made meaning in the community?
This work of art in particular for the Baltimore City community provided an outlet for healing and expression. The unrest that followed after Freddie Gray’s untimely death in police custody shocked the world. The lasting impact for the community was devastating. They had ruined their own community where they live. To have something beautiful in the midst of chaos was meaningful to the community. Because of Freddie Gray, the community and even people outside of the community continue to fight and advocate for African Americans who are victims of police brutality.