Online petition calls for more diversity in Ottawa murals

An online petition to update at least one or more of Ottawa's murals with more diversity has collected 1,130 signatures.

Jaclyn Shea of Ottawa started the change.org petition drive after seeing a similar one circulate in Naperville.

Shea said Ottawa prides itself on its historic ties to the Lincoln-Douglas debate and Native American roots, but she sees a lack of representation of people of color within the murals.

"I noticed the murals around town are predominantly white people," Shea said. "Ottawa could do a lot better."

A Brush With History Chairwoman Peg Breslin said she is open to any conversation about diversity and welcomes anyone to attend the committee's next meeting.

While it's true Ottawa's murals feature predominantly white people, Breslin said the murals have diversity that may be overlooked.

Shea pointed out the mural "Streetscape Reflections" on Madison Street, which depicts Ottawa citizens in a parade crowd in the 1950s, as one example that lacks diversity.

Breslin said there are two black individuals in the mural: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, who are looking out from a window. Mrs. Thomas was a teacher in the community. She also noted a Hispanic man who installed railroad tracks is included waving his hand.

Two of the 12 magazine covers featured in the mural on the same building include Ernie Banks and Martin Luther King Jr.

"Imagine and Learn with Bob McGrath," also known as the "Sesame Street" mural, painted on Jefferson School along Columbus Street features children of different ethnicities, including a black child, as well as a child who uses a wheelchair.

"Ottawa's Earliest Residents" is a mural above Tangled Roots Brewing Co. and depicts Native Americans in Ottawa before European settlers.

Breslin said the committee wants to commission a mural about Ottawa's Underground Railroad history soon. The committee had planned to put the mural on a pier underneath the Veterans Memorial Bridge, but an agreement was never reached with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

There are no plans at this time to make changes to existing murals.

Shea said she would be interested in getting in touch with Breslin to participate in future mural plans. She said the more Ottawa can show a diverse representation within its murals, the more welcoming the community will be perceived.

"People who pass by Ottawa on their way to Starved Rock see the murals," Shea said. "If they don't see a representation of diversity, they may feel the community is not welcoming. And that's not just limited to Ottawa. All of our communities could be more representative of the diversity we have."