An image of a black man wearing a green graduation cap and gown with the words “Still I Rise” are painted
Interdisciplinary arts and sciences junior Kyra Trent is the artist behind the “Still I Rise” mural on the
Trent said she was inspired to paint the mural after she saw another mural on campus for Hispanic Heritage Month and thought ASU needed to have something that celebrated Black History Month, too.
“I wanted to create a piece of art that showed the resilience of the black community,” Trent said.
Before deciding to create the mural, Trent had a longtime passion
Trent said she noticed that when she moved to Arizona a few years ago, she saw less celebration and discussion surrounding black culture, especially in her classes.
“It was really bothering me,” Trent said. “In order to talk about those things, we have to expose people to them.”
When the #BlackLivesMatter movement began to gain traction after the killings of Trayvon Martin, Michael
“I grew more appreciative of how rare it is that I am a black woman going to college that hasn’t been shot yet,” Trent said.
Trent also said it’s important to create art that pertains to her
“When you look at the history of art galleries, black people weren’t really taken serious as artists,” Trent said. “I think a lot of black art involves a lot of community and inclusion. It brings people together.”
After completing the mural and presenting it at the West campus, Trent took to social media to share her work, where well-known BlackLivesMatter activists DeRay McKesson and Johnetta Elzie shared her work.
Despite public praise from many, Trent has also received negative comments via social media about her mural; some said she should be expelled from the University and others simply commented “All Lives Matter” under her posts.
“Yes, all lives matter, but at the same time, why are there
Trent said she intends to rise above the negativity and hopes that when people look at her mural, they challenge their own personal views and experiences to understand the issues that
“Most times if it doesn’t
Interdisciplinary arts and performances junior Hussein Mohamed is the West campus Black Student Union president and said he was, and still is, at a loss for words over the mural and very much connects with the art and the message behind it.
“This is something that can change the way people look at our black community." Mohamed said. "I felt I had to jump on it for the club.”
Mohamed said he appreciates the fact that the mural challenges the ASU community to have discussions surrounding police brutality and social justice.
“I believe colleges and universities really pioneer social movements,” Mohamed said. “The way to get things to change is through education and making people aware. I’m very thankful it started here.”
Kyle Sheppard, a Delaware State University student and Trent’s cousin, said he first saw his cousin’s mural on Twitter after being retweeted by multiple people and was amazed by her work.
"When I saw it I was like ‘wow,’” Sheppard said. “I think
Related Links:
Nia Witherspoon discusses the Black Arts Movement, inspirations
Letter: It wasn't Black Lives Matter that creates a divide between the races
Reach the reporter at sgreene6@asu.edu or follow @thesydneygreene on Twitter.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
