In 1993, “artivist” Torero partnered with the African-American community, who were the core of the Southcrest Park area at the time, to paint a mural commemorating their hero, Malcolm X. They painted the mural on the façade of the Southcrest Recreation Center, finishing on May 15 of that year, near Malcolm’s birthday and in recognition of the Los Angeles Rebellion just a year earlier. The community also renamed the Southcrest facility the Malcolm X Park and Recreation Center.
Over the last 21 years, the mural had come to look very worn-out and dilapidated. Already succumbing to graffiti, it was going to be erased and destroyed until the community came out in support of preserving it. They found Torero and asked him to repaint it. It took a year to find the necessary funds to get it renovated. Finally, monetary support came from the office of San Diego city Councilperson Myrtle Cole of District 4.
Torero began the renovation work in May and invited the community to the unveiling to celebrate the 90th birthday of Malcolm X and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his assassination. A special guest, Nathaniel Peterson, representing “the spirit of Malcolm X,” recited one of Malcolm X’s speeches. Also present were representatives from the Southcrest Community Council and the Malcolm X Library, a journalist from Activist San Diego and an organizer from the Committee Against Police Brutality-San Diego, as well as community members. The beautiful, brilliant, bright mural was unveiled, and it will remain in the park for many years to come.
This edited statement was first published May 18, 2017, on workers.org. May 19 is also…
Seattle Since April 29, students at the University of Washington in Seattle have set up…
6 de mayo de 2024 Dejemos claro desde el principio que es perfectamente legal, normal…
“A Realistic Path to Peace: From Genocide to Global War … and How We Can…
Cleveland After 11 defiant days, students at Case Western Reserve University closed down their Palestine…
Seattle The U.S. has always enlisted Israel as a militarized pawn to protect its oil…