Teens Paint Justice and Equity in a Mural on Manhattan Avenue
The transformative power of art was in action late in summer when Groundswell united young men from Bushwick with police officers from the 90th Precinct. This conversation inspired the mural that spans
The online community with #Ijustwanttocomehome has communicated their thanks. Jayboogie on Instagram said, “Thank you for this contribution to my city. This painting speaks louder than words.”
While the mural was in its planning stages Chris Soria, the leader of this art project, posted on his Instagram, “There are three sides to a story, the third always the hardest to find.” He and the team have done an amazing job fleshing that side out in shades of blue, on a scale that is near impossible to miss.
Artworks do start conversations and transform the viewer. However, more unsung is the communication and the transformation that impact the doers while the art piece is in process.
Eric Bernal, one of the Making His’tory team who worked on the mural said, “The topic of the mural was to show the complex relationship between young men of color and the police. In the making of this mural, I became more open minded and started to observe rather than to assume. This Project also made me more empathetic in the way I speak to others.”
Groundswell’s mission brings together artists, youth, and community organizations through their Scaffold Up!™ model. In which art is used as a tool for social change toward a more just and equitable world. Their projects beautify neighborhoods, engage youth in societal and personal transformation, and give expression to ideas and perspectives that are underrepresented in the public dialogue.
The Greenline 