Form and Power: Black Murals in Los Angeles

Forebearers of Civil Rights

Known to be the longest mural in the world, Forebearers of Civil Rights by Judith Baca is only a portion of the five sections that make up The Great Wall of Los Angeles. Baca depicts a bus scene, including the notorious Rosa Parks who played a pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott which occurred in the mid 1950s. Parks had a big role as a Civil Rights activist as she “refused to give up her seat to a white man,”  resulting in her arrest. This sparked an outrage amongst the African American community and fueled them to fight for their equal rights and an end to segregation. Baca has also depicted the African American figures in the mural towards the back of the bus in order to show the history behind the segregation between blacks and whites as blacks were only allowed to sit towards the back. The figures in the background show discomfort as they are seen trying to regain balance by holding onto the seats, leaning their head against the window, and holding onto the handle.

Baca also depicts another Civil Rights activist, Paul Robeson, who “questioned why blacks should fight in the army of a government that tolerated racism.”  With the progression of the Cold War, Robeson strived to improve relations between the Soviet Union and America, and when asked why he would just move out of America, he stated, as the mural depicts, “My father was a slave and my people died to build this country, and I’m going to stay right here and have a part of it.” This quote shows that America is built upon the struggles of the African Americans, so it is only right that they get to receive equal treatment. Baca’s portrayal of two activists who stood up for themselves as well as the black community sends the message to viewers that they should also stand up against segregation.  

Katlyn Hwang c/o ‘24

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