The Civil Rights District welcomed a commissioned mural. The mural is on the wall of the Citizens Express Pharmacy on 5th Avenue North. The pharmacy was originally owned by A.G. Gaston. Delmous Vance, Jr. purchased the pharmacy from Dr. Gaston in 1970. When Vance, Jr. died in 1996, his son, Dr. Vance II, continued to operate the pharmacy.
The mural, containing five figures, speaks for itself. The artist, Langston Austin, said it represents generational caring in various ways. The five figures embracing each other compose a collective effort, supporting one another. There is apprehension on the faces of all who are awake, especially the male and female figures who stare off into the distance. There is assurance of protection seen in the baby, who is the only one sleeping in the arms of the mother figure. There is a mutuality of caring, loving, and support. Arms are embracing each other.
The mural is getting a lot of attention from those driving on 5th Avenue North. Art does one or two things. It draws us to it or it propels us from it. In drawing us to it, we seek to understand the message and see how it speaks to us.
Scripture invites us to love another. This mandate ought to be obvious in the family more than any place. In Ephesians 5, Paul encouraged families to have a special bond united by love. Through radical love, a love that sustains itself against all odds, there is a compulsion for families to support each other and be a sustaining force for the larger community.
Scattering those seeds throughout the community is a blossoming experiencing. Seeds that were deposited have nurtured and supported institutions in our communities years ago. Viewing the mural on Citizens Express Pharmacy reminds us of a rich legacy, steeped in the faithful commitment of hard work and loving care.
Amen.
