### The fresco “Black Lives Matter”: an ephemeral symbol of resilience or a historical erasure?
The partial erasure of the emblematic fresco “Black Lives Matter” on March 10 at Washington D.C. not only symbolizes a cut in bitumen; It represents a turning point in the cultural and political narrative of the United States. This action, orchestrated in a critical context of political polarization and persistent racial tensions, raises crucial questions about collective memory, struggles for social justice and the way in which history is shaped or even reshaped by those who hold power.
#### an established historical context
To understand the importance of this event, it is necessary to return to the context which gave birth to the fresco. In 2020, the death of George Floyd in the hands of a white policeman not only caused a shock wave across the country, but also catalyzed a worldwide protest movement against systemic racism. The inscription in yellow letters on the bitumen of Washington D.C. aimed to constantly recall this struggle for equality. However, as Tajuana McCallister pointed out, this initiative was also a symbol of listening and solidarity in the face of a long marginalized community.
In politics, any symbol is potentially a target. With the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, the message issued by the fresco has become a scarecrow for republican elected officials, who sought to delegitimize it. In this regard, the decision of the local administration, led by Mayor Muriel Bowser, is part of a broader dynamic where the erasure of a symbol becomes a way of making a chapter of social struggles disappear.
###ION a tension between economy and social justice
Muriel Bowser’s response, according to which “there are other cats to whip”, highlights a persistent dichotomy: the struggle for social justice in the face of economic necessities. With the threat of massive dismissals of federal officials, the mayor seems to opt for pragmatic management of the economic crisis, putting aside the questions of racial justice. This leads to asking whether economic stability should actually pass before the fundamental rights and the history of marginalized communities.
Comparative statistics and analyzes reveal that African-American communities suffer disproportionately not only from police violence, but also from the effects of an exacerbated economic crisis. A report from the Institute of Economic Policy indicates that the richness of white families is approximately 10 times that of African-American families. This reality underlines the interconnection between the questions of race and economy, and establishes a basis to challenge the narrative which favors economic initiatives to the detriment of racial equity.
#### Art as a memorial and resistance
This withdrawal also raises the question of art as a vector of memory. The fresco was not just an aesthetic work, but a living memorial. His erasure could be seen as an attempt to erode historical memory in favor of a simplistic political account. With this in mind, the emotion felt by African-Americans like Starlette Thomas, who cried the demolition of the work, illustrates the resistance of collective memory in the face of the attempt to rewrite history.
Through the prism of art, other movements around the world show how symbols, even under pressure, can last. Mural frescoes in Northern Ireland, commemorating the political struggle of each community, are a striking example. They have transformed into living testimonies, preserving history and facing attempts at revisionism.
#### Conclusion: the importance of dialogue
The erasure of “Black Lives Matter” is symptomatic of a larger struggle between memory and oblivion, between art and power. There is not only a question of the fresco withdrawn, but of what it represented and continues to represent for many people across the country. The response of the mayor and those who support this action raises a challenge as to the way we address the questions of race and social justice in the 21st century. This debate requires a continuous discussion, not only on the way in which we honor history, but also on the efforts that we must support to ensure a more equitable and inclusive future for all.
Beyond the cries of anger, it is essential to initiate a constructive dialogue, where the memory of past struggles can light our way to a fairer world. In a climate where erasure can become the norm, resistance through art and collective memory becomes more crucial to ensure that “the life of blacks counts” is not simply a slogan, but a living reality in hearts and minds of all future generations.