School ditches classic heroes on mural, includes Oprah, J.K Rowling instead
The staff of South Arbor Charter Academy in Ypsilanti, Michigan, has decided that it's time for a mural makeover, and parents aren't pleased.
Historical figures, among them Mother Teresa, Betsy Ross, Gandhi, and Albert Einstein, have been honored on SACA's "Heroes Hall" mural for years. In a shift from "historical heroes" to "modern-day heroes," they have been replaced by depictions of President Obama, author J.K. Rowling, and television personality Oprah, among others.
SACA parent Craig Bergman told Fox News that selecting the people represented on the wall has become a political issue. "This is no longer a hall of heroes. Now we have a hall of celebrities," he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Another parent expressed concern that kids seeing these murals for the next four years would confuse success in business with real heroism.
School officials have defended their choices, saying the people on the Heroes Wall represent the virtues of "wisdom, respect, gratitude, self-control, perseverance, courage, encouragement, compassion and integrity."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How Britain's demographic is changing
A 50-year record population increase was fuelled by greater migration
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The story of Japanese jeweller Tasaki
The Blend A revival in the use of pearls in fashion and jewellery design places heritage brand Tasaki centre stage
By Felix Bischof Published
-
The world's most beautiful gardens
The Blend For the last word in gardening leave, our pick of the best scent-filled stays
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published