During our profound weekend with Dr. Jemar Tisby, I was reminded of the public art created around the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain during the summer of 2020.  I was also reminded of a line from the Broadway play, A Strange Loop. When the main character is asked if he has seen Hamilton, he replies, “I’m poor.”  My offering for today was chosen amid these thoughts.

This mural was painted on a wall of EPIC Brewing Company in the River North Art District of Denver. Many artists including Thomas “Detour” Evans worked on this memorial to 23 year old Elijah McClain who we just must not forget. He was killed for the crime of walking strangely on a sidewalk in Aurora by a police chokehold and paramedics’ ketamine injection. Although this mural was painted over as part of a monthly rotation, I believe we are called to remember him; to cry the hard tears of rage for him; to take responsibility for racism for him; and to take action against racism for him and so many others.

I also share this work for the artists who bring their talent to the streets for all to see, even the poor.

May we remember who we are and whose we are as we look again at this face. Rest with God, Elijah. We will not forget.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church