University of Kentucky Decides to Unveil Controversial Mural It Had Covered Up

uk-mural-dancersThe University of Kentucky has decided to once again display a controversial mural which had been covered up a year ago. The mural, painted in the 1930s by artist Ann Rice O’Hanlon, had been criticized for its portrayal of African Americans and American Indians in scenes depicting the history of the city of Lexington, home to the university. Among the images on the mural that offended many in the campus community was a depiction of slaves picking cotton.

Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, decided that the mural would once again be available for public view. But the mural will be surrounded by other pieces of art that tell the history of the area from other diverse viewpoints. In addition, digital message boards will explain the history of the mural and the artist who painted it. “It is time to tell the story more completely,” President Capilouto said, “and through the eyes of many experiences – preserving the art as part of our history, but adding to it to tell a more complete and sensitively rendered story of our human experience.”

Below is a video produced by the university about the decision to once again make the mural available for public viewing.

 

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Featured Jobs