He painted the mural in 1977 and it was restored in 1993 by artists Olivia Gude and Bernard Williams. For our brochure we chose the last two panels, putting the reflective children with the globe followed by the more active panel of children with their tools raised, poised for action. The mural s message, Walker says, might look like a simple proposition, but it s not easy. It s tremendously challenging. It s difficult for all groups to unite in that way because there s some many prejudices on all sides.
People don t necessarily wish to be involved in interracial friendships.
What I m proposing is a very difficult challenge. I did the mural in the name of goodwill, hoping people will consider taking on the challenge. I enjoy doing that. When he visits colleges to recruit for the program, Scott Chesebro likes to get students talking about the murals to emphasize Urban Life Center s approach to education. As they discuss and think about people from diverse backgrounds working toward a common purpose, and what that means, Chesebro gives students a history of William Walker and the Chicago mural movement.