Rising Above Bigotry--North Toledo Youth in Transformative Action

    Artist:  Yusuf Lateef 

Following a major disturbance by the Neo Nazis on October 15th 2005 , many residents of North Toledo felt, as one Woodward high school student put it, “targeted, hurt, and ignored.” Clearly, there was a need to plan and implement initiatives to include, empower, and inspire residents from these communities.

HVTA staff initiated a process of listening and learning with the aim of involving residents—particularly youth—in planning and implementing creative solutions to the problems they faced. Following a series of discussions several valuable insights were shared.

Residents of all ages were intrigued by and excited about the idea of informing and “owning” a mural that contained a shared vision of North Toledo communities—one that would serve as a landmark focusing on holistic community development with a special emphasis on youth.

Local artist, Yusuf Lateef, was invited to participate in some of the listening and learning sessions. HVTA staff shared a comprehensive list of ideas generated by community residents and the themes for the mural were developed. Mr. Lateef completed the mural with continuing guidance from community members.

The mural was unveiled on October 14th 2006 and drew hundreds of people from the Greater Toledo area and beyond.

A documentary outlining the work of North Toledo youth has been produced.

Explanation of the Mural

This mural has been informed and inspired by conversations with various individuals and groups in the North Toledo area. North Toledo youth, in all their diversity and brilliance, are the central focus.

In the center panel, a young boy rises up out of the school. The young shoots with their roots firmly implanted in the soil symbolize North Toledo ’s youth. The gourds from the sky symbolize the nourishing water that feeds them. The moon, on the left, symbolizes dreams and seasons. The stars on the flag turn into birds as they fly into the heavens. The lantern symbolizes the light – the shared vision of North Toledo communities.

The left panel contains hands in different skin tones—reaching up to attain knowledge and wisdom—both important assets for holistic community development. The sickle in the corner symbolizes the value of work in an area that was once agricultural. The hands are surrounded by houses to symbolize transformative action aimed at building communities The themes of the birds flying towards the heavens appears in this panel too. The young girl smiles as she takes in the shared vision embodied in the center panel.

In the right panel, a young boy contemplates the center panel with a wistful expression. This panel contains a symbol of the cherished elders, one of whom stirs a meal to nourish the community, as they both maintain a watchful eye over the youth. As she ponders over the shared community vision, her expression is tired but hopeful. Behind her are interlocking symbols of various forms of transportation symbolizing the many places from which North Toledo residents have come. The theme of birds flying towards the heavens appears in this panel too.

 The Camera Crew  

  
 
Vincent Theraisnathan

Spencer Cunningham

    Afaf Doumani