The Last Stand Unite
The mural utilizes natural colors and forms to portray the theme of unity. For instance, the mural's primary use of the colors blue, green, and orange are symbolic of features found within nature such as water, grass, and the sun. These symbolic colors contribute to the mural’s overall theme of unity in the way they suggest the natural world’s eternal, seasonal cycles in which each season is vital to the success of the next. Nature is also illustrated through the imagery of grass that contains the signs that read “United We Stand,” suggesting that, like the lush greenery, unity is a vital life force within a community.
As the viewer evaluates the mural from left to right, it introduces Afrocentric themes through various imagery. Afrocentrism prioritizes and shares themes of African culture and experiences. On the left, there is a large image of a face on its side. The upper portion of the face is half blue and half yellow, while an African mask partially covers the lower portion of the face. African masks pay homage to historical African culture and highlight a connection for African Americans between themselves and their native culture. The right side of the mural represents Eric Dolphy and Patrice Lumumba. Dolphy is a Leimert Park native and saxophonist, most known for introducing the bass clarinet to Jazz as a solo instrument. In contrast, Lumumba was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo, whose glory was cut short through assassination shortly after his appointment. Carr’s incorporation of Dolphy and Lumumba in the mural, functions similar to the African Masks because it provides a connection of African American roots within African culture. The mural still stands today and has also incorporated new biographical descriptions about Dolphy and Lumumba.
Written by Randy Medley Jr., c/o ‘24