Inclusive Safety Mural Series

Don’t you love art that sends a positive message and strengthens your community? Sherry Hakimi – a social entrepreneur who has lived in countries that protect women’s rights and in countries that don’t, and fights for equality everywhere – is leveraging public art as an antidote to hate and harassment right here in New York City.

Her organization, genEquality, is marking Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month by launching the Inclusive Safety Mural Series.

The idea? Bring communities together to co-create a mural in each of the five boroughs of New York City. The murals are led by local artists and designed collectively by students, teachers, and community members. The art is based on the theme of Inclusive Safety. What’s that?

Inclusive Safety is the idea that no matter what you look like, where you’re from, and who you love, you deserve to feel safe. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, age, sexuality, religion, ability, or any identity – you deserve to be safe.

Recently, we’ve seen videos of people who are passive as a hate crime happens right in front of them. We’ve all been shocked when others are willing to stand by while someone is being harmed or harassed. Inclusive Safety means we must be willing to stand up for the safety of everyone, even intervening when we see something that’s not right.

The murals will send a message to respect, include, and stand up for others. They all have an interactive element to invite us all to be a part of the mural, and spread the message by sharing photos of ourselves in the murals. You can learn more about the Inclusive Security Mural Series here, and add your own donation if you wish. (Our grant is helping to pay for mural materials.)

Art can change the way we think and act, and that’s exactly what these murals aim to do. We think it’s awesome that people care about the safety of others, and this is just one way to encourage others to get involved too.