Seven months ago, I was pleased to welcome David Pulphus, a very talented 18-year old constituent of mine from St. Louis, to Capitol Hill, as we unveiled his painting, entitled “Untitled #1”; the 1st place winner in my annual Congressional Art Competition in Missouri’s 1st congressional district.
Many other Members of Congress conduct this contest in their districts as well. We do not select the artists. We do not approve or disapprove any of the artistic concepts; and we have no role in judging the competition.
Recently, an alt-right blog calling itself the “International Journalism Review,” which is clearly not an example of either independence or journalism…alleged that the student’s painting, which has been viewed peacefully by thousands of Capitol Hill visitors and staff for months, was offensive to police officers. Mr. Eric Bolling, a Fox News Channel commentator, began a campaign to have the student’s winning artwork removed.
That effort at blatant censorship and media manipulation was then exacerbated by one of my colleagues from California, Congressman Duncan Hunter, who took it upon himself to remove the painting, without any authority from the Architect of the Capitol to do so.
Earlier today, joined by several of my congressional colleagues, I restored the winning painting to its assigned location and it once again is on public display in a pedestrian tunnel in the U.S. Capitol Complex.
But this is really not about a student art competition anymore…it’s about defending the Constitution.
It is pathetic that some Republican members and alt-right media types, who constantly refer to themselves as constitutional conservatives, don’t think that same document protects the fundamental free speech rights of my 18-year old constituent.
I do not agree or disagree with this painting, but I will fight to defend this young man’s right to express himself because his artwork is true for him and he is entitled to that protection under the law.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that artwork which is intended to make a political statement is fully protected by the 1st Amendment. That applies to artwork created by young Americans as well.
This constitutionally protected freedom is essential. The right to express one’s thoughts and to communicate freely with others affirms the dignity and worth of each and every American, regardless of their point of view, and regardless of who might be offended.
Specifically, the U.S. Supreme Court has written that this freedom is:
“The matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom.” Without it, other fundamental rights, like the right to vote, would wither and die.”
So for every American like me who loves and reveres the U.S. Constitution, freedom of expression, even for artwork that some find offensive is essential to protecting liberty.
That freedom of expression is evident across the U.S. Capitol Complex. For instance, there are multiple pieces of artwork on display here that are deeply offensive to me and many of my constituents, including images that honor avowed racists and segregationists like the late Senator James Eastland; and statues of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, who led a treasonous act of rebellion to maintain the cruel institution of slavery which cost the lives of over 600,000 Americans.
Yet these pieces remain on public display.
And there is another critical question that thoughtful American’s must address.
The student artist is a great young man, academically gifted, artistically talented and is now a freshman in college. He is doing everything that we encourage young Americans to do to become successful citizens.
His winning entry is a provocative, symbolic representation of the great anger, pain, frustration and deep deficit in trust for local law enforcement that many young African Americas feel in their hearts.
The painting also reflects generations of struggle, sacrifice, abuse of power and tenuous relationships between minorities and a system of justice that still provides equal justice for some…but not for all.
So the larger, more fundamental question is…why does this young artist feel that way?
And what can we do as leaders of a compassionate and just nation to remedy that?
Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri was just sworn-in for his 9th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is Missouri’s senior Democrat in Congress.
