The mayor of Connecticut’s most populous city stirred up online outrage for celebrating a Banksy mural that many people viewed as a slur against a low-income, predominantly nonwhite neighborhood.
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim took to Facebook to highlight the presence of a Banksy artwork that was originally created for a South Bronx school and was relocated to a brewery in the city’s East End in February. The mural features a small boy spray painting “Ghetto 4 Life” on a brick wall while a tuxedoed butler holding paint cans on tray stands next to the child.
While some Facebook users responded to Ganim’s message by expressing support for having a Banksy work in the city, many East End residents were displeased that their community was being labeled as a “ghetto.”
One Facebook user complained, “Well I live in the east end and I DO NOT want a sign that says that. How disgusting the new owner saw it appropriate to place the sign in our neighbor. We have a couple of schools in our neighborhood and don’t need our children seeing this negative ignorant sign!!! Take it down!!!!”
Another user stated, “Ridiculous, THIS is something to be proud of!??? Get outta here.”
And yet another argued, “The East End (which is heavily populated by minorities who experience financial hardships) was probably not the best place for this mural.”
Ganim acknowledged the feedback but insisted city residents should be proud of the Banksy mural. The mayor told his Facebook audience the mural was a “lovely piece of artwork” and suggested they read up about Banksy’s career.
One respondent to the conversation viewed the matter through an art-inspired real estate perspective by observing, “I’m sure that will help property values in the area.”
Photo courtesy of Mayor Joe Ganim’s Facebook page
depends on how you view the pic
My take, let’s lift this group, or individuals, up wherever possible. “for life” changeable
This is an incredible piece of art that probably cost the buyer a very substantial amount of money. Bridgeport should only honor this company for adding such an important work! There is a fine line between art and graffiti.
They placed Harris for president without a vote. That is pretty ghetto. So this is no surprise.
Leave it to Nick to inject the grammatically ignorant “they” and widely popular boogey man of the ill-informed.
What is surprising is that people who clearly don’t understand the operations of political parties spew illogical nonsense, apparently just to expose their ignorance.
Vice President Harris was in fact voted for to be the Democratic nominee by a huge majority (~99%) of delegates – in full compliance with party rules and procedures.
Delegates, who were themselves voted for to select the party’s nominee. Plus in states’ primaries that had a Democratic challenger, Biden/HARRIS received well over 90% of the votes. Furthermore, even *IF* all 50 states agreed to pay for another primary election, there wouldn’t be a serious challenger just as there wasn’t a serious challenger in the original primary. IOW, it would be a waste of time and money just to appease a few morons who don’t understand party rules, and probably aren’t even party members so have no say in the matter to begin with.
If you’re not a paid member of the Democratic National Party, mind your own damn business. If you are a member in good standing, address your concerns with the rules committee.
It’s contemporary art and a social critique. When the statue of David was made with a penis all hanging out I’m sure not everyone was a fan of that art either.