In the heart of George Floyd Square, artistic expressions and melodic tunes soothe a healing community.
Artists, poets, and musicians have been congregating in George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, five years after the infamous act of violence that unfolded there. This location, now infamous as the spot where George Floyd was killed, has become a haven for a more vibrant and lively energy.
NPR's Meg Anderson spoke to community members about their use of art, music, and writing to foster healing in the area. The street corner where Floyd died remains marked by murals, tributes, and memories left by visitors. For some, preserving the location is essential, while others feel it is trapped in its darkest day. However, those who live and work in the community have found ways to move forward.
One such individual is Marquise Bowie, who recently completed his prison sentence. Bowie now leads a creative writing class at the square, viewing it as a way to honor his late mother who never got to witness his talents bloom.
For Vanessa Harrison, the classes provide a cathartic outlet. During a recent session, she composed a poem about memorials like the one honoring Floyd. Harrison notes the heartbreak she feels in this place, recognizing its global notoriety yet seeking to tell stories beyond the tragic circumstances that brought international attention.
Up the street at the PLOT art gallery, Ace Rice is attempting to unveil other narratives about the area’s history through exhibits such as "Gandy Dancer". The exhibit offers a deep dive into the laborers of the Minnesota railroad and gives voice to the unsung heroes who often toiled in difficult conditions.
Every Monday night for the past five years, musicians have gathered at a nearby gas station to perform. Rain or shine, they have remained steadfast in their gatherings. Led by Butchy Austin, the group believes their music sends a message of resilience and a desire for change. Austin notes that hearing upwards of 40 musicians playing their instruments together is a feeling that brings a smile to all who witness it.
As the sun sets, the musicians gather to play, their music casting a more hopeful light on the intersection than it would otherwise have. George Floyd Square has evolved into a thriving space for storytelling, healing, and community engagement. Artists, musicians, and writers work together to share the history of the neighborhood while promoting social justice causes and remembrance.
- In the creative writing class led by Marquise Bowie at George Floyd Square, participants find a cathartic outlet to share their stories, such as Vanessa Harrison's poem about memorials like the one honoring Floyd.
- At the PLOT art gallery, Ace Rice presents exhibits like "Gandy Dancer" to reveal untold stories of local history, giving voice to the unsung heroes who worked in difficult conditions, offering alternate narratives to the darker history associated with George Floyd Square.
- Each Monday night, a group of musicians convenes at a nearby gas station, regardless of the weather, to play their instruments together, sending a message of resilience, change, and hope through their music, transforming George Floyd Square into a beacon of storytelling, healing, and community engagement.
