To the Editor:

While it is difficult to say that there is a consensus on the butterfly mural being affixed to the building at the corner of John and Leigh, it is I believe fair to say that in general the W-J neighborhood is not against the use of public art.  What was stressed in the recent [HPC and W-J] meetings was indeed a consensus that the neighborhood wants to be involved in the concept, design, and application of public art projects at the beginning of the process.

My personal takeaway from the meeting was that most of the people who were not in favor of the mural did not necessarily have a problem with its application but rather thought that the first application of this sort should represent the African American experience; the basis for the historic designation.

It is my belief that the Latino experience and history in Princeton, while not on the same scale as the African American experience and history in Princeton, also has significance and I have no issue with it being expressed through the use of public art as long as there is community engagement and agreement on “the process.”

The fact that the artist grew up in Princeton is fitting and adds to the authenticity of the work. What I honestly believe is most important is the opportunity that the African American community has to show our neighbors that as we are proud of our own history and our own heritage in the W-J community, that we are also gracious and unselfish enough to recognize the same of other people regarding their history, their heritage, and their culture.

Lastly, the process used by the Arts Council should have started with the community…but the mural does nothing to take away, diminish, or dilute the African American experience/history in Princeton or the W-J neighborhood. Our legacy is unshakeable, it is fixed and anchored and our story will continue to be told.

Leighton Newlin
Birch Avenue