The Line: Zimmerman Library’s Controversial Murals
October 19, 2018 – The University of New Mexico has a policy of equity and inclusion, but four murals that have been on the walls of the Zimmerman Library since 1939 have caused controversy over the last few decades. Titled “Three peoples,” the mural series is supposed to portray three groups – the Anglo, the Hispanic, and the Native American – but it is clear they portray a white-centered narrative. Amid recent protests, the UNM administration is proposing a temporary solution to address concerns while it looks for a more permanent one. Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists discuss whether covering the murals with curtains is a good idea, and propose some possible solutions of their own.
Line Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima LLC
Michael Bird, public health consultant
Dan Foley, former House minority whip
Giovanna Rossi, president, Collective Action Strategies; host, The Well Woman Show
Further Reading: