PHIL 347 Week 2 Discussion including Replies; Context, Meaning, and Value - California Washington Mural

PHIL 347 Week 2 Discussion: Context, Meaning, and Value Option 1: California Washington Mural Initial Post InstructionsSelect one of the following options to research for this discussion: Option 1: Google California Washington mural. You will find numerous reports concerning a California school district that voted to paint over a mural in the high school. The Life of Washington was painted by Depression-era artist Victor Arnautoff. Discussion: Week Two The submissions for this assignment are posts in the assignment's discussion. Below are the discussion posts for Nursing Student, or you can view the full discussion. from Week 2 Discussion: Context, Meaning, and ValueProfessor and Class, I am choosing to discuss option 1: The California Washington Mural. What do you think should be done with the artwork (e.g., painted over, covered, destroyed, left as is in plain view, etc.)? Why? I think the “Life of Washington” mural should be left alone and not covered up or removed.  The mural represents American history, and even though some people may be offended by the mural, history cannot be changed nor altered.  In the year 1936 when the mural was commissioned during the Great Depression, the world was in a vastly different era. Humanity was different as minorities had no rights, women had no rights, and the country had already fought numerous wars, and would soon be headed into World War II. Up until this point in American history, war was all too familiar. At the time this mural was painted it documented tragic events of how this country was established, and the murals are historical and relevant pieces of artwork.  Does this mean we have to destroy this piece of art because some people have different interpretations? No, it does not. “The mural has been controversial for more than a half century” (Wick, 2019). Just because something is controversial does not mean it has to be removed, destroyed, or covered up.  The mural depicts a piece of history to events, battles, and wars that were fought in the United States for the freedom we have today which earlier settlers had to fight and die for. The mural should not be destroyed. This mural is “One of many disputes where everything depends on interpretation” (Facione, 2016). A few people have different interpretations of this artwork that was commissioned at the beginning of the Great Depression.  As such, the artwork is of historical value and should be protected, as should interpretations of all individuals viewing the artwork be protected. “Those favoring destruction think that they know what the art is about, and that they have the right to decide for everyone, now and in the future, what will be accessible, what will be known. But reactions to art are in constant flux, and the best art should contain multitudes of interpretations” (Smith, 2019). Should the context in which people now view the artwork have an impact on the decision of what to do with it? I do not think that the context in which people have