Betty Shabazz

Betty ShabazzFlorian Jenkins, The Life of Malcolm X, June 15–October 15, 1972, acrylic on cotton canvas and linen canvas. Commissioned by the Afro-American Society, Dartmouth College; P.972.231.

Betty Shabazz

Florian Jenkins, The Life of Malcolm X, June 15–October 15, 1972, acrylic on cotton canvas and linen canvas. Commissioned by the Afro-American Society, Dartmouth College; P.972.231.

 

The Children

 

Panel in Context

This panel is located on the left side of the door facing the north wall in the main common room.

This panel is located on the left side of the door facing the north wall in the main common room.

 

Questions to consider:

  1. Though the murals are intended to focus on Malcolm X as the subject, Jenkins dedicates an entire panel to Betty Shabazz.  What statement does the artist make by including this section of the mural?

  2. How does Jenkins treat the two depictions of Betty Shabazz differently within this panel?

  3. The Black Nationalist movement is often known for its overt acknowledgement of women as equal to men.  Thinking about this panel and the many other depictions of women in the murals, how does Jenkins support or contradict this ideology?