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To some people, a community is the place in which they live. To others, it
is the people who live there. A community, in fact, is both the people and
the place. The Universal English Dictionary describes a community as a
"society or body of persons living in the same place, having the same
rights, privileges, and interests, and acknowledging the same laws." This
definition reminded me of an old nursery rhyme. "For my child/ I wish two
things,/ To give you roots/ and give you wings." Though I hadn't thought
of that little poem in years, it inspired the concept for the mural I'm
proposing. It also reminded me of an old African proverb: "It takes a
village to raise a child." This is the mural's theme.
Every community, like every child, must begin from a sound foundation to
achieve its full potential. That one must look back in order to move ahead
is a principle well known in both religion and psychology. The Platonic
ideal of always being in a state of becoming, of building on that which went
before in order to more fully explore the future, is an early example. The
American Transcendentalists spoke at length about the necessity to grasp
the past as a guide to the future. George Santayana, the Spanish-American
philosopher, wrote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned
to repeat it" An old African-American saying tells us "You can't know
where you're going, if you don't know where you've been." Even the
simple nursery rhyme which inspired my mural is derived from the ancient
Chinese proverb: "A parent owes a child two things, Roots and Wings."
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Communities thrive when their inhabitants live safe, active, healthy lives
and everyone feels valued and involved. The North Frayser Community
Center achieves this by providing a wide range of programs and services
which nurture the mind, body and spirit. It fosters a sense of belonging
where dreams and potential are encouraged. It not only serves the needs of
its members but gives back to the community as a whole by providing
essential support to local families. In doing so, it stands as a testament to
the old saying, and my mural's theme, "It takes a village to raise a child."
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The mural illustrates the large and diverse Frayser "family" working
together to support their community by literally holding a typical Frayser
neighborhood, with the Community Center highlighted in the middle, above
their heads. The taller and stronger individuals, able to carry more weight,
do so but everyone, regardless of age, gender or capability, plays an
equally important supportive role. The power of their combined effort is
illustrated by the large wings which are unfurled from either side. The rising
sun carves the sky with huge rays of light which fan out toward new
horizons. The importance of a sound foundation is symbolized by the
roots which dangle not only from the neighborhood which is being held
aloft but also from the rising earth upon which the people are standing.
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This mural is not meant to simply decorate a building. The Community
Center is more than a place to play basketball or learn the computer. It is a
neutral ground away from home, school and work where citizens can
establish a connection with other members of their community and develop
a collective identity It is the power of this collective identity to build a
resilient community that this mural celebrates.
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