Make the Road Murals

I volunteer in Make the Road, a nonprofit organization which is in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. It’s mission is to fight for justice throughout the community and find justice for immigrants, workers, students, and LGBT all around New York City. There is something so powerful just about the name of this organization that is setting a goal for the community to create their own path towards a better future and to create a road that is all inclusive and equal. This organization reminds me of the beliefs that Dorothy Day was striving for because it looks to the root causes to problems. There are many undocumented immigrants who walk through those doors to seek justice. Many apply for deferred action which gives undocumented immigrants work permits by affirming they are people who live in this country and have the right to wages. Dorothy Day says “Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains” (46). This community is doing just that, they are organizing and are breaking free of the limitations that are put on them, they are the masses. Faith is one of the strongest powers the community holds because without the power of God many feel they wouldn’t have this organization that stands strong today. Many of the people who come to Make the Road feel they are doing God’s will by doing away with injustice step by step.

The first mural striked me as it is one beautiful and colorful piece of artwork painted on the doors inside the organization. The two people depicted are dark skinned, indigenous people and demonstrate the color of many minorities who walk through those doors every day. It is the color of the people, the masses who work twice as hard to earn low wages yet still have hope that they can make a change. The women to the left is shown carrying a dove which is significant in the bible. As stated, “When he had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him” (Matt. 3:16). The dove is a symbol of purity and righteousness that we must hold on to. This mural represents the people as hard working and hopeful because both have their fists high up reaching for the stars.

According to Dorothy Day, “Community- that was the social answer to the long loneliness” (224). The second mural inside the organization takes up the entire wall and depicts many small hands holding on to this one massive hand that represents the people who are coming together as a community to fight for justice. This massive hand is holding on to a banner that says “Si se puede, Yes we can!” because it is not an individual that can change the world but we as the community that can change the world. The mural depicts a book that says “this mural is dedicated to the community, activists, and dreamers. Your strength , courage & hope is inspiring.” It is clear that together this organization is creating a place of hope for many who seek justice. According to Niebuhr, religious idealists believe that selfishness rather than ignorance is the root of social injustice since people are looking for their own self interest rather than others (23). This community comes together to fight for different causes like education, immigrant rights, and the Dream Act for undocumented students. It is truly a holy place vibrating with community and hope to reach for justice and equality for all. I chose to volunteer at Make the Road because I want to give back to my community and this place means a lot to me. As a hispanic with immigrant parents I hope to help as many immigrants as I can so they too give their children a better future.

Works Cited

Day, Dorothy. The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of Dorothy Day. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981. Print.

Niebuhr, Reinhold. Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study in Ethics and Politics. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001. Print.

Stone, Perry. "The Code of the Dove and the Holy Spirit." Charisma Magazine. N.p., 1 May 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.