Politics

New Orleans Mayor Unveils Giant Afro Pick for Juneteenth

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell unveiled a potentially racist statue in honor of Juneteenth this week.

The new statue presented by the mayor was a giant Afro Pick, a tool used to pick and puff up tight, curly hair. On top of the afro pick is a large black power fist, a symbol often associated with Black separatist movements like the Black Panthers. Then, in the center of the piece, seemingly to balance out the fist, is a large peace sign.

The artwork was placed prominently in Gallier Hall, New Orleans’ former City Hall, in Lafayette Square and was part of a $7.2 million art buy in honor of the holiday.

According to Mayor Cantrell, the giant sculpture is “very fitting for this time” and represents the “struggles, fights, and protests of 200+ years”.

Despite the enthusiasm of the New Orleans Mayor, many online were not nearly as happy about the piece.

One user, for example, criticized the fact that the city spent $7.2 Million on public art while their police force is suffering and crime in the city is on the rise.

A Black female performance artist named Malynda Hale also weighed in, saying that she supports the city’s initiative to fund and promote Black artists, however she said an “Afro pic ain’t it.”

Multiple other users also noted its similarity to the prop used in the Mel Brooks film Spaceballs, which the villains had been given to “comb” the desert.

Juneteenth is the celebration of the day that General Order No. 3 was announced by Union Army General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas. Texas was the furthest state into the Confederacy, and therefore was the last to receive the order following the end of the Civil War.

Most people support celebrating Juneteenth. It was a historic day for our country and slavery was an absolute abomination. Still, the sculpture of choice by New Orleans is questionable at best. What do you think of using a hair pick to represent the ending of slavery? Do you have any ideas for better sculptures to celebrate Juneteenth?

Joel Bailey

Joel Bailey is a social commentator and writer at the Next News Network. He graduated from Fisher College in Boston, Massachusetts and was adopted from Africa. He is proof of the American dream and learned conservative values at a young age.

View Comments

  • I'll bet there are lots of citizens in New Orleans living in substandard housing who could use some help.

Recent Posts

Kevin Costner Breaks Silence: ‘Crushing’ Divorce and Moving Forward

"Kevin Costner Breaks Silence: 'Crushing' Divorce and Moving Forward" "Hollywood Icon Kevin Costner Opens Up…

5 months ago

Walgreens Considers Major Store Closures Amid Retail Challenges

Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Tim Wentworth announced potential closures of a "meaningful percent" of the…

5 months ago

Dave Grohl’s Concert Pause: Foo Fighters Frontman Puts Safety First

Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters frontman, halted a concert in Birmingham to address a crowd disturbance.…

5 months ago

Panthers’ Paradise: Florida’s Stanley Cup Celebration Reaches Legendary Status

The Florida Panthers have etched their names in NHL history not just for their on-ice…

5 months ago

Chanel West Coast’s Double Life: New Reality Show Reveals Star’s Struggles

By day, I'm mom. By night, I'm an artist," Chanel West Coast says in the…

5 months ago

Media Matters Funnels Six-Figure Sum to Board Member’s Firm

Media Matters for America, a nonprofit focused on correcting "conservative misinformation," paid $105,000 in 2022…

5 months ago