tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post8191730469219982712..comments2024-03-29T10:04:10.999-04:00Comments on Southern District of Florida Blog: What should we do with the mural in the Dyer Courthouse?David Oscar Markushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386723948607633980noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-74474658559491457372017-04-21T22:42:15.093-04:002017-04-21T22:42:15.093-04:00As the granddaughter of Denman Fink, I can tell yo...As the granddaughter of Denman Fink, I can tell you, without hesitation that my grandfather was not a racist. He was simply an artist who painted what he saw. Nothing less, nothing more. He was a quiet, unassuming, very talented artist and was the artistic part of the development of Coral Gables along with designing the venetian pool out of the coral quarry, all of the entrances to Coral Gables, the lighthouse water tank, the city hall and a number of buildings including his own home and his daughter's home, both of which had solar heat, I might add. He was ahead of his time. He also had the final word on the colors and textures used on each and every building that was erected at that time. But a racist? Not. He was a transplant from Haworth, New Jersey. P.S. My father, Robert Fink, did nearly every pen and ink and/or grease pencil ad promoting Coral Gables and he wasn't a racist either. Our family has always judged people by their character. Never by the color of their skin. Not now, not ever!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18354075613415230106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-53531953766298543502016-05-19T13:08:12.041-04:002016-05-19T13:08:12.041-04:00The mural may have historical value and then shoul...The mural may have historical value and then should be in a musuem. However as an attorney "of color" I found appearing in front of that mural in that courtroom demeaning. The mural depicts my predecessors as enslaved beasts of burden. We are mere totters and carriers of stuff. There is nothing that would indicate to me as the attorney or to a client of color this might be a place where justice and fairness prevails. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-4987861600804646012016-05-17T14:28:55.553-04:002016-05-17T14:28:55.553-04:00Maybe DOM should set up a debate on this issue. Maybe DOM should set up a debate on this issue. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-5640837184661673022016-05-17T00:42:07.215-04:002016-05-17T00:42:07.215-04:00I'll take the mural, and admire its beauty and...I'll take the mural, and admire its beauty and tragedy in my home. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-41221605852035477392016-05-16T20:20:11.725-04:002016-05-16T20:20:11.725-04:00But how is it racist?But how is it racist?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-66866385385654057372016-05-16T18:09:42.510-04:002016-05-16T18:09:42.510-04:00Why is no one talking about the "colored only...Why is no one talking about the "colored only" water fountains at the county courthouse down the street?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-64259057972082162302016-05-16T17:38:48.346-04:002016-05-16T17:38:48.346-04:00Notwithstanding the demeaning and racist portions ...Notwithstanding the demeaning and racist portions of the mural, it should be saved. History is history, and without a clear understanding of what our country was like in the past, we lose sight of the progress we have made. Paul Petruzzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12914349253596718947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-86051254332828608302016-05-16T17:08:49.631-04:002016-05-16T17:08:49.631-04:00I would definitely agree that the mural depicts a ...I would definitely agree that the mural depicts a division of class and occupation along racial lines, but I am not sure that it is "racist" in the pejorative sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-27021933606459124822016-05-16T13:23:02.578-04:002016-05-16T13:23:02.578-04:00I would keep the mural. It is historical, and if t...I would keep the mural. It is historical, and if that mural can only be seen as racist, then there are many historical monuments in Washington and elsewhere that would need to go too.Bob Becerranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-31573358015109273772016-05-16T11:47:28.663-04:002016-05-16T11:47:28.663-04:00Keep the mural. It's history -- not only of F...Keep the mural. It's history -- not only of Florida itself but of an era in our country's progress. Not only that, the artist did a fine job.JHophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18377447592758362180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-36698855337140448922016-05-16T10:46:12.859-04:002016-05-16T10:46:12.859-04:00I would choose another option. I would not paint o...I would choose another option. I would not paint over the mural but I would have it draped. I also would construct a separate exhibit that discusses the explicit and implicit racism of the mural. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-20624483375742061172016-05-16T10:36:17.846-04:002016-05-16T10:36:17.846-04:0010:07, haha. I fixed it.10:07, haha. I fixed it.David Oscar Markushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18386723948607633980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-75489216827398119892016-05-16T10:30:38.983-04:002016-05-16T10:30:38.983-04:00I will echo my earlier sentiment -- We cannot simp...I will echo my earlier sentiment -- We cannot simply white-wash our racist past. I am just glad nobody is getting sentenced there anymore. Here is the only explanation I found of the mural:<br />"The mural Law Guides Florida Progress completed by artist Denman Fink in 1941 is located above the judge’s bench and is flanked by two pairs of Ionic marble pilasters. The mural depicts the positive impact of justice guiding Florida’s economic development. Fink included a likeness of himself as a draftsman and a likeness of architect Phineas E. Paist, with whom he worked in Coral Gables, as a chemist"<br />It should also be noted that Denman Fink helped George Merrick design Coral Gables. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9615048.post-8955689986116972882016-05-16T10:07:37.814-04:002016-05-16T10:07:37.814-04:00Last week's post was received with universal p...Last week's post was received with universal praise? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com