MyLifeDump

Almost a year ago I shared with you guys the story about “Edward Said Mural Controversy and Debate” at SFSU. I am happy to say now that the Mural that was long stalled has now been approved.

Here is the official news release from GUPS @ SFSU:

We are thrilled to announce that we have finally won approval for the SFSU Palestine Mural despite ferocious opposition.

This permanent piece of art honoring the late professor Edward Said is the first of its kind on any American university campus wall; it has been attained after a long, unrelenting, and sustained struggle spearheaded by the Palestinian students of SFSU GUPS and allies and supported by the Bay Area Arab American community and friends.

You don’t want to miss the exciting celebration to inaugurate the mural that will be held at the Cesar Chavez Student Center in San Francisco State University on November 2, 2007. The event will feature cultural presentations, inspirational speakers, music, food, and more throughout the day and a moving night program. We are planning to invite members of the Said family to join us in these activities.

This is history in the making. This mural is more than just a piece of art; it signifies the unbreakable bond between Palestine and the Palestinians everywhere including US campuses. It recognizes the ground-breaking and prolific academic and intellectual work to which Professor Said dedicated his life and his relentless defense of peace and justice. The mural is an important culmination of the Palestinian students’ historic struggle for Palestinian human and national rights. The mural shall serve as a daily reminder of the Palestinian struggle, establishes a permanent presence of the Palestinian issue, and links it to the three other murals that celebrate peoples’ struggles for social justice, self-determination, and freedom.

Therefore, we in GUPS, and the Cesar Chavez Student Center, have the honor to invite you all to join in celebrating this historic event.

If you need more information or like to know what you can do to support this celebration please contact GUPS by email at GUPS@sfsu.edu.

Website www.sfgups.org

GUPS Office:
1650 Holloway Ave.
CCSC M100-B
San Francisco, CA 94132
We hope to see you all there.
General Union of Palestine Students
San Francisco State University Chapter

If you read my views on the Mural controversy you know that there was a problem with the sword shaped pen that was in the hands of the cartoon character Handalah and the key in his left hand. Well, GUPS had to get rid of it because if that weren’t the case, the mural would still be a dream.

Take a look at what was proposed and what was approved:

PROPOSED

APPROVED

I think still the mural has a lot of value but it would have been a hallmark if what was initially proposed would have been approved but as they say “Something is better than nothing”, I am content. Let me also mention here that I think GUPS did a marvelous job on staying on top of this Mural debate and in the end achieving something that is truly amazing.

I will try my best to attend the unveiling of this mural on November 2nd and take some pictures too, its history in the making