Cantrell said the city is spending $7.2 million to recognize “local black and brown artists,” and their artwork would be displayed around public buildings in New Orleans.
A giant Afro hair pick with a clenched “black power” fist was unveiled in New Orleans on Friday in celebration of Juneteenth – the holiday paying tribute to the last American slaves being freed. However, the eyebrow-raising statue was widely panned online.
The 28-foot-tall hair pick weighing 7,000 pounds is titled “All Power to All People,” and was created by artist Hank Willis Thomas.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell – a Democrat – touted the hair pick statue as “breathtaking” on Twitter.
“As Juneteenth approaches, we celebrated with an unveiling in Lafayette Sq,” Cantrell tweeted. “This sculpture is very fitting for this time & place as we celebrate the freedoms that we have gained We know that it doesn’t come without struggles, fights, and protests for 200+ years.”
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