Over a week after the George Floyd killing we are still fighting on every front to enact the change that we need. Celebrities and artists from every walk of life are stepping up to do their part in these revolutionary times. Rappers and musicians have made songs in honor of George Floyd, but Banksy has used a different medium to portray his point of view on the subject.
Originally known for making statements with massive graffiti art on buildings throughout the world, the modern artist did something a little smaller without losing the impact that his paintings always make.
The ominous image may not be the best showcase for his artistic ability, but the message behind it could be one of his most powerful statements. When he released the painting on twitter he coupled it with a few sentences filled with his feelings towards being a white man in the current state of this country. It states,
“At first I thought I should just shut up and listen to black people about this issue.
But why would I do that?
It’s not their problem. It’s mine.People of colour are being failed by the system. The white system. Like a broken pipe flooding the apartment of the people living downstairs. This faulty system is making their life a misery, but it’s not their job to fix it. They can’t – no-one will let them in the apartment upstairs.
This is a white problem. And if white people don’t fix it, someone will have to come upstairs and kick the door in.”
If everyone felt this way about race and systemic issues, we would not be in this situation. The exact interpretation of the painting is up to you, as a result of Banksy’s secretive nature, but it is clear that he is just another one of millions that are standing up against racism.
By: Christian Cuciniello