The giant yellow letters spelling out Black Lives Matter in Somerville’s Magoun Square attracted student artists and a charismatic supporter — Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, who helped celebrate the mural as a community-driven beautification effort.
A proposal by two Lynn students to paint a Black Lives Matter mural on Essex Street is mired in inaction with Mayor Thomas M. McGee — on the record as a mural supporter — kicking the can down to the City Council for final action that it is likely to get defeated.
Why can’t anything get done in this city?
Damianny Garrido, 18, and Carlos Prudencio, 17, both English High School students, have mobilized peers and community groups in support of the local mural.
They met with McGee, who told The Item he was impressed with the pair, adding he also supports a street art proposal by Raw Art Works.
But city Solicitor George Markopoulos advised councilors against approving the mural, saying to do so would, in the words of Ward 2 Councilor Rick Starbard, “…open up the streets to basically be a billboard for any message.”
Are we really worried about two teenagers and their inspiring idea opening a floodgate of street-art requests?
For the record, the Lynn police, according to spokesman Lt. Michael Kmiec, have no problem with the Black Lives Matter mural. “The department is fine with it,” Kmiec said.
So, what’s the problem? That’s the question McGee should be asking councilors who balk at approving the mural. Where is the downside of turning an idea by two young Lynn minds into reality and bringing the community together for a public-art display?
Again, why does getting anything done in this community have to be so tough?
Progress typically gets measured in small increments, not with grand triumphs or achievements. In a year of strife and fear, the Essex Street mural is an opportunity to amplify the racial justice dialogue.
And, by the way, if it turns out the mural is a bad idea, a Public Works crew armed with paint can get rid of it.
