Above: Indigenous artist Gregg Deal stands in front of his mural in Washington, D.C. Dakota Fine courtesy of Gregg Deal
My desire was… to put into perspective an American Genocide, something any indigenous person would tell you is a real thing
“Beyond 140” is an interview series from The Stream where we seek out intriguing tweets and ask the author to tell us what they can’t say in 140 characters.
Gregg Deal is an indigenous artist and a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe who has lived in Washington, D.C. for the past 15 years. Deal caught our attention when he live-tweeted the progression of a street mural he was painting to mock the name of the city’s professional football team, the Washington ‘Redskins.’
Team owner Dan Snyder has come under increased pressure and criticism for not changing the team name, despite calls from many Native Americans and advocates to do so. Snyder recently announced plans to launch a foundation to help Native Americans, which some have called an unsuccessful attempt to buy support.
We asked Deal what inspired him to create the mural, his thoughts on Snyder’s foundation, and the role of social media and art in Native American activism.
What compelled you to make the mural? What did you want to achieve through it?
My desire was to say something that hasn’t been said, including a perspective not brought to the table. Everyone wants to make this an 80-year issue, but it’s not. It’s a 522-year issue. The issues that are being talked about with the football issue actually span back to 1492. So to put into perspective an American Genocide, something any indigenous person would tell you is a real thing, and juxtaposing that with the ridiculous notion of ‘honor’ or ‘reconciliation’ through racial slurs and gross misrepresentation of indigenous people through caricatures seemed the right thing to do.
Northeast D.C. has residents that are true locals of the city, and who have generations of family that have lived here. Many are fans of the football team. For me to have a piece like that in this area is provocative because of the history of the team in this part of the city. I believe the subject matter of this piece is pretty volatile here. I think it’s even more so in a part of town where many of its fans and local D.C. residents reside.
I’m pushing buttons, using sarcasm, irony and a bit of humor for this work. It can be shocking, but approachable.
