Phat Beets and Self Determination: CRP Mural at Dover Park Cesar Chavez Community Event

Murals and community gardens represent two important steps to community autonomy and self determination. CRP has always recognized the connection between planting and painting. We often attempt to add medicinal plants to the areas where we are working, both to protect our wall spaces and also to provide the community with local sources for health and well-being. So it was natural for CRP and Phat Beets to collaborate on community mural as part of their event for Cesar Chavez Day. During the afternoon event, community members and families were invited to pose by the wall for silhouettes which they were allowed to color in. Even Mayor Jean Quan joined in the fun. CRP made sure to include water in the mural both to represent the bay and to acknowledge the important role of water in our lives. The plants in the mural include Amaranth, Peyote and San Pedro, medicines for the mind, body and spirit. There is also a tribute to historic African-American farmers.