With everything going on in the world from the unpredictability of the novel coronavirus to protests over racial disparities, 59-year-old Michael Fitzgerald said what he really wants is life to go back to normal.
Before that can happen, the Harrisburg resident said he’s compelled to do his civic duty, which is why he suggested a mural of Black Lives Matter be painted somewhere in the city. The mural was completed Saturday.
Two weeks ago, the former U.S. Army combat medic pitched the idea on Facebook. He said it didn’t take long for him to find a wall or support.
The mural adorns the Harrisburg Improv Theatre building at 1633 N. 3rd Street in the midtown neighborhood. The previous mural on that wall had been there for three or four years, he said.
“I’m a black man,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve lived all over the world, all over Europe and all over the United States. I’m very active in social causes. It’s where I am, it’s my life.
“My hope is that people in the community gain awareness. I’m not going to change the world. I’m not going to change the attitudes of some people, but my belief is these three words are not terroristic. I think these three words trigger people into some insane hostility. I don’t get it. I’m a child of the ’60s and ’70s, I’ve been around protests, but I’m also a military veteran. I swore an oath to defend the lives of all — not just black people and brown people. I will lose my life for everyone.”
Fitzgerald called himself the “catalyst” for starting the project. But he credits the volunteers with getting the work done. He said his friend Gary Dutson, who is white, organized everyone as the point person for the project.
“It’s so strange to have to go in these two directions to explain who people are in your life,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re all people. I just want people to be aware that things they find strange or weird to them or they don’t understand, just reach out and talk to people who aren’t like you. That’s how we’re going to get past this mess we are in. It’s not through fighting, what’s the worth of that? If one side fails, then the other side is going to fail as well.”
Once the location of the mural was determined, about five or six volunteers spent hours working on setting up the design. After the wall was painted with primer, three or four days were spent stenciling the wall at night using a projector to lay out the letters.
Fitzgerald again asked for help Saturday to paint the letters.
“There were about 40 people there today,” he said. “I think this is important, but at the end of the day, I just want to be able to go home to kiss my wife and be with my family. I just want life to resume to normal.”