Any sane reasoning rational and responsible person has to ask why is this mask displayed on a 1.5 size bronze?
Let’s face it: black lives matter only abstractly. The mask Look Away is modeled on the bronze of William Byron Rumford Sr. and worn as amplification because he built a small vestige of concern for common community health. This black man used his power privilege and career to help others specifically poor black people. Please use Google search his name because his achievements are outstanding.
Of coarse, there is more to the story as far as the placement of Look Away on Mr. Rumford’s memorial statue.
The specific question is why is the mask on this statue? And this website‘s answer is the mask is displayed on a real champion for targeting black people’s health. The real bizarre factor of the photo that should be probed is why is the bronze statue in a crosswalk?
The simple truth is the City of Berkeley didn’t pay or honor truly regarding this installment. The Rumford Family descendants made this statue on their own accord and insisted it be installed. After (what was a rumor told to this author as) a ridiculously lengthy negotiation, this crosswalk was the only space agreed upon. If anyone visits South Berkeley one will notice this man sacrificed and held a vision for this neighborhood. No on cares about his legacy or the people he built housing and health care to service that exist there now.
Currently financially secure people conducting gentrifications in this neighborhood are oblivious that there is no black homeownership growth or developments in what was marketed initially as a predominantly black neighborhood. They don’t care and they don’t feel any remorse that people are ripped deeply stripped from loosing their family’s home. The trauma is so wrecked that folks come back to their remember “we lived here“ property seeped in regrets misery and the torment of holding the most severe loss that is no sense belonging anywhere. It requires having a secure home to feel any part of any society. Paying taxes and saving an income informs the adept that they can progress into politics, if so inclined.
The City of Berkeley is so beyond politically correct citizens never have had a proper gauge to discern placement displaying any art. The homeowners in this neighborhood only concern is their personalized landscape. Look Away openly is attached to William Byron Rumford a Public Art installation to amplify the imbalance and neglect building a healthy community that services the impoverished people as well as the rich. Equal and equity are not the same definers check the means 3 different specific definitions panhandle maps differently viewing terms.
