University of Houston To Demolish Chicano Mural
The mural at the University of Houston’s University Center is an icon. The mural showcases leaders of the Chicano Movement along with Uncle Sam in the middle as the embodiment of a calavera. Different historical images of Mexican history are painted throughout the mural. It is a political statement as much as anything else, but it is also a living piece of history. As I understand it, the mural project began in the early seventies and was dedicated in 1975.
It appears that the university is now set to demolish the mural in the name of progress.
Texas’ own Jose Angel Gutierrez is one subject of the mural. He was one of the founders of La Raza Unida Party, a political party that challenged the accepted power of the two-parties in Texas. He went on to become the national chair of the party. Reis Lopez Tijerina, a land grant advocate, is depicted in the mural. In many ways, he surpassed the dedication of many other notable leaders, by taking the courageous step of placing federal officials under “citizen’s arrest” for their unscrupulous disregard of the people’s rights.
Also depicted is Corky Gonzales. He got his name and his start from his early involvement in amateur boxing and was ranked at the very top of his division. He later founded the Crusade for Justice in Denver, as he took the most overt role in reshaping the ways Chicanos viewed our own identity. Early on, he embraced the idea that Chicanos had an unexplored indigenous (Indian) identity. His work still lives via La Escuela Tlatelolco in Denver.
Many veteran activists and scholars were involved in the mural project in one way or another. At the time of the painting, noted organizer Maria Jimenez insisted that the muralists include Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. That tidbit is an invaluable part of history that symbolizes the growth that many Chicano males went through as a result of the Chicana feminist influence in the Chicano Movement.
Students, alumni and the general public have enjoyed the mural for years, and there has been some swift reaction. Two online petitions have surfaced, one on change.org, the other on my blog site, OurNewAnahuac.net. A facebook page has gone up, which you can find if you do a search of University of Houston on facebook. Faculty and students have met with administrators in an attempt to convince them to preserve the art. In addition, a few days ago, many people spoke out against the destruction of the mural at an assembly of the student government. All of these actions are happening spontaneously and independently of each other.
There have been few recent events or problems which have motivated so many people so quickly.
For many, the mural is a symbol. One signatory to the petition writes “I did not attend U of H but am familiar with the mural. It is more than a mural. It symbolizes a part of our past and serves as inspiration for future generations. When my eyes first fell upon it, I felt a sense of pride and encouraged students to consider U of H because I felt the university was aware of and respectful of our and the cultures of others.”
I felt the same way when I first saw it, and I can say that the mural was an influential factor in my decision to attend U of H. I don’t think that our community will allow this mural to be destroyed with out at least some resistance.
If this mural or if just the idea of the mural is important to you, please consider signing one or both of the online petitions. Speak out!
www.ournewanahuac.net/save-uh-mural
