From the wiki: George Washington High School opened on August 4, 1936 to serve as a secondary school for the people of San Franciscos Richmond District. The school was built on a budget of $8,000,000 on a site overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. The lobby is decorated with murals by Victor Arnautoff in the "buon fresco" styles. They depict scenes from the life and times of George Washington. The stadium, auditorium, and gymnasium were added in 1940. The school was formally dedicated on Armistice Day of 1940. The accomplishments of its students in various fields of academics, athletics, leadership, and extracurricular activities have given George Washington High School an outstanding reputation among California high schools. The school was also used in an episode of the hit TV series "The Streets of San Francisco". Maureen McCormick plays a teenage hooker attending the school. There are two scenes showing the school and its view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The episode was in season five. [Eye remember seeing that episode as a young ladthe show was a family favorite.]
It was decided Tuesday that a controversial mural that has gained national attention for the graphic images it presents at a public high school will not be painted over as was previously planned. The painting will instead be covered by panels or similar materials.
The board voted Tuesday 4-3 to research covering alternatives for the 13-panel “Life of Washington” mural at George Washington High School in the Richmond District.
Alternate methods proposed by staff will be subject to review under California Environmental Quality Act, according to the resolution approved by the board.
Board members Allison Collins, Mark Sanchez and Gabriela López objected to the resolution. Collins attempted to amend Tuesday’s resolution to include a painting option but her amendment failed to pass.
It was a reversal for some board members, including Board of Education President Stevon Cook, who in June voted with the objecting board members to paint over the mural.
Cook addressed media prior to the board’s Tuesday night meeting and explained his decision to reconsider alternatives for the 83-year-old painting that occupies 16,000 square feet of the high school’s wall space:
“After hearing much more input from the public and a lot of sentiment around being upset on destroying the art, I decided to bring the item back. Essentially coming back to the initial recommendation of staff, which was to cover the mural instead of destroying it with paint.”
Cook continued:
“I think we all agree that the mural depicts a history of the country that is hard to see and everyone agrees that history is racist. I think where we disagree is if it is appropriate for a school site.”
Much of the argument has been focused on portions of the painting that depict America’s brutal history with Native Americans and slavery. Although some applauded the board’s original June decision, some critics do not believe it should be hidden or destroyed.
Actor Danny Glover, a George Washington High School graduate, spoke out Tuesday and said he was not in favor of painting over or covering the art because it depicts truth behind U.S. history.
“Why board it up? Why can’t we tell the truth? How come the truth has to be put away?”
Glover equated the destruction of the mural to “book burning.” He said:
“The fact is art has to make us feel uncomfortable. That’s what art does.”
As to whether or not the board will continue to discuss the item in the future, Cook said:
“As long as I’m president, this will be the last time we discuss this item.”
Last modified August 14, 2019 6:44 pm
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