New mural celebrates access and equity in LA schools
Departing LAUSD Board Member Mónica García and artist Paul Botello unveiled his “We Believe In You” mural at Esteban E. Torres High School in East Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 30, to celebrate the long movement among students and others seeking access, equity and justice in the schools.
Artist Paul Botello attends the unveiling of his mural “We Believe in You” at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. “I like to call this a visual prayer,” said Botello of the mural he says celebrates education and the power it gives each individual along with celebrating Mesoamerica heritage’s past, present and future and unity with the community. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Artist Paul Botello’s mural “We Believe in You” at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood is unveiled on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Artist Paul Botello speaks with LAUSD board member Mónica García during the unveiling of his mural “We Believe in You” at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The community and students gather across North Marianna Avenue for the unveiling of Paul Botello’s “We Believe in You” mural at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Garfield High School Danza Azteca do the Aztec four direction blessing before the unveiling of Paul Botello’s “We Believe in You” mural at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Artist Paul Botello’s mural “We Believe in You” at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood is unveiled on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LAUSD board member Mónica García speaks during the mural unveiling of “We Believe in You” by artist Paul Botello, left, at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Garfield High School Danza Azteca pass Paul Botello’s “We Believe in You” mural during its unveiling at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 after they danced the Aztec four direction blessing. “I like to call this a visual prayer,” said Botello of the mural he says celebrates education and the power it gives each individual along with celebrating Mesoamerica heritage’s past, present and future and unity with the community. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The community and students gather for the unveiling of Paul Botello’s “We Believe in You” mural at Esteban Torres High School in Los Angeles’ City of Terrace neighborhood on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
In 1968, students walked out of L.A.’s Eastside high schools and demanded respect, access to high-quality and culturally relevant curriculum, and modern and safe facilities. The mural, which documents that movement and other upheaval in the world was created by Botello, a widely respected muralist and teacher.
Botello’s mural “is a community conversation, a statement of belief and a celebration of the movement for educational justice in Los Angeles Unified,” said Garcia, an East Los Angeles native born in 1968 — and first-generation college graduate. She represents District 2 on LAUSD’s Board of Education and due to term limits is soon stepping down after 17 years on the board.
Los Angeles Unified Region East Superintendent Jose P. Huerta said, “Mr. Botello’s mural is representative of our community’s struggle for justice and a reminder that through hard work, determination, service, and education we can rise and attain what seems impossible. Thank you, board member Mónica García, for your 17 years of service to our Eastside community, for uplifting our students and parents to a path of graduation and higher education, and for reinforcing the ‘si se puede’ mindset.”
