The gazebo at Mary Sheridan Park in Lambertville is now home to the “Black Lives Matter Garden of Remembrance and Reflection,” an installation by a group of local artists.
Sponsored by Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope, and created by Alexis Berends, Katie O’Neill and Dolores Dragan, the candlelit gazebo features an image of a silhouetted mother and child designed to recall George Floyd’s cry for his mother at the time of his murder.
“After the Black Lives Matter demonstrations globally, we felt it was important to continue to create awareness locally about the history and damaging effects of systemic racism,” said Katie O’Neill, one of the artists. “The garden was intended to create a space for the community to come to process and reflect as well as provide educational tools for our continued call to action. The doors that accompany the mother and child image are representative of the past and the lives that have been lost as well, as the light of hope for envisioning a more equal and loving path forward together.”
Visitors to the garden can place messages or images on provided rocks to add to the installation. They can also take a copy of the “Say Their Names Pledge” that lists all the black people of color who have died at the hands of law enforcement, according to sponsors. The pledge includes a commitment to be an activist in the fight against systemic racism.
“It feels almost like a sacred space,” said MaryJane Legere, a leader with Indivisible Lambertville/New Hope and liaison to the artists. “I see people just sitting and reading there. It’s very peaceful.”
Berends and O’Neill designed the installation, seeking the assistance of Dragan, who had been Berend’s art teacher many years ago. Dragan is well known for the unique Halloween display she creates on Union Street every year, which has recently included a BLM figure.
The installation will be up until the end of July.
Elected a black man President of the US two times. Most large cities are run by African American governments. American zeitgeist, which is led by the media and sports leaders, is 100% supporter of BLM. The US is by far the most racially tolerant place in the world. But, yeah, systemic racism…
Pulling down statues and changing names seems to be the rage now for injustice.In West Virginia a telescope is named after Robert Byrd once a Senator. Should we not change that name because of the awful KKK things he did in his past BUT he went from that to being revered DOES THAT MAKE SENSE??????You cannot erase or cancel History.It was not a easy feat to get where our country is today.Tell me where else you can live and pursue happiness.
How am I not surprised West Virginia has things named for ol’ Klansman Byrd?
Yes, feel free to ditch anything honoring him.
Bravo. Appreciate seeing things like this in the local community.
“…we felt it was important to continue to create awareness…” Morgan Freeman was asked how to stop racism. He said, “Stop talking about it. I’m going to stop calling you a white man and I’m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man.” Let’s listen to him.
What makes you so uncomfortable that you’d rather cherry pick one convenient comment from one person instead of listening to the millions and millions of voices rising up at once?
You’re free to put in earplugs and bury your head in the sand, but BLM is here for good.
I am not uncomfortable, Cecil. Perhaps I choose to listen to what a black man says about this issue rather than some Lambertville artists who are virtue signaling and are not black. Whose life experience carries more weight? I’ll go with Morgan and what he asks of us. I believe BLM is here, but certainly not “for good” as you claim. BLM’s own founders boast about their Marxist training. Not good, not good at all.
Looks like your black man “crutch” has failed the test of time. Morgan Freeman has abandoned that position of, “…stop talking about it…”
Morgan Freeman has joined the Black Lives Matter movement and the Hollywood star wants to hear from you as part of his social media campaign. As part of Morgan Freeman’s Black Lives Matter campaign, the Hollywood A-lister is opening up his social media channels to help amplify the voices of ordinary people.
In an effort to continue the conversation beyond the protests, Freeman announced the initiative on Friday, June 5th.
The Shawshank Redemption actor announced the following via his social media platforms: “Let’s continue the conversation. Please DM me your stories to repost.
“Racism is defined as: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior. This includes overt racism, systematic racism, micro aggressions, etc.”
@morgan_freeman
Let’s continue the conversation. Please DM me your stories to repost.
Racism is defined as: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own…
Thank you Sandra.Words of wisdom.Maybe they should also listen to Alveda King when quote”America wants solutions America wants leaders.No more tabloid politics” unquote. America is not a racist nation the 5% who yell the loudest are the ones who add gasoline to the fire and fuel the flames of hate.They have talked for 60 years and always the same old hate never a deed or accomplishment that they can point to.
“America is not a racist nation…”
Surely this is the sort of thing the internet slang “smh” was created for.