PHIL 347 Week 2 Discussion

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PHIL-347: Critical Reasoning

Prof. Name

Date

Option 1: California Washington Mural

Action to Take on the Artwork

The murals portraying America’s past, particularly focusing on themes of slavery, prejudice, and discrimination, are unsuitable for public display, especially in educational settings such as high schools. These images can evoke distress and negative emotional responses in viewers who are confronted with these reminders of historical suffering. Therefore, I recommend that the murals either be removed entirely or concealed to prevent the perpetuation of harmful narratives. Maintaining such depictions in public spaces may undermine inclusive and supportive learning environments.

Message Conveyed by the Artwork

Victor Arnautoff designed these murals to depict key events from the Revolutionary era. Although initially considered a historical representation, the meaning and impact of the murals have evolved over time. Today, the artwork’s content carries strong political overtones, which may provoke discomfort among contemporary audiences. The murals include implicit critiques of political and social practices from the past, potentially intended to stimulate dialogue on contentious historical events (Mahnken, 2019). Nevertheless, the context in which viewers interpret these images now differs significantly from the era in which they were created, leading to differing perceptions and reactions.

The Artwork’s Historic Significance and the Artists’ Intentions

While the murals hold historical and artistic value, it is essential to consider whether all aspects of history should be preserved in public spaces. Certain depictions—particularly those highlighting oppression and injustice—may not align with contemporary societal values. The artist’s perspective may have omitted or minimized the brutal realities faced by marginalized groups, such as African Americans and Native Americans, thereby presenting a potentially biased historical narrative (Pogash, 2019). Furthermore, the interpretation of the murals is influenced by individual viewers’ experiences, cultural background, and personal biases. This variability can impact how the artwork is received and whether it supports or undermines current educational and ethical standards.

Summary Table: Evaluation of the California Washington Mural

Aspect	Analysis	Recommendation
Action to Take	Murals depict slavery, prejudice, and discrimination. They may trigger negative emotions in viewers.	Remove or cover the murals in public spaces.
Message Conveyed	Originally intended as historical representation of the Revolutionary era. Now politically charged and potentially discomforting.	Acknowledge historical critique but contextualize in a safer environment.
Historical Significance & Intent	Artist may have excluded harsh realities of oppression; viewers interpret based on personal biases.	Preserve historical records elsewhere; limit public exposure in schools.

References

Mahnken, K. (2019, July 23). Censorship or student safety? Plans to remove iconic mural at San Francisco High School spark furor. The 74 Million. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.the74million.org/article/censorship-or-student-safety-plans-to-remove-iconic-mural-at-san-francisco-high-school-spark-furor/

PHIL 347 Week 2 Discussion

Pogash, C. (2019, April 11). These high school murals depict an ugly history. Should they go? The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/11/arts/design/george-washington-murals-ugly-history-debated.html