Fighting US colonialism with a 2am decision by a few gutsy women

Many people make light of taking art history. Back in the 1980s, I heard from many people (including my parents) that the course I was taking was just one step up or down from “basket weaving”. I should note that some pretty famous basket weavers make a good living with their designs today.

But, my friend, everything you see or hear these days is influenced by the time we live in. And if you are to make sense of what’s going on, (whatever it is), it’s also prudent to consider what you’re listening to or watching or looking at, which in every case, whether you choose to believe it or not, has a political or social undertone.

You have to consider what is influencing you. Without you even being aware of it most of the time, it’s not just the news or a Facebook feed. It’s the music, the visuals, the commercials, and of course, social media, which could be considered a form of art, as it presents individual expression and opinion.

Of course, some art is fairly trivial, others go much deeper.

In the 1970s the song “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies didn’t have as much significance as “Something’s Happening Here” by Buffalo Springfield, or “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan. How deep or impactful the reason for the art, visual or audio often slips by our understanding.

As an Art History Student, I was particularly moved by “Le Guernica” Picasso’s anti-war statement, or The Death of Marat (French: La Mort de Marat or Marat Assassiné) is a 1793 painting by Jacques-Louis David depicting the artist's friend and murdered French revolutionary leader, Jean-Paul Marat.

In recent generations, the rap movement, particularly Gangsta Rap spoke to society’s rejection of black culture as it presented graphic tales of gangs and violence.

Anti-war sentiments, cries of the poor, and statements about race, culture and art became intermixed with the development of the music video, which illustrated the previously only-heard battle cry.

Banksy is a worldwide phenomenon with his graffiti art creations.

British artist Banksy—graffiti master, painter, activist, filmmaker and all-purpose provocateur— made a list of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2010, he found himself in the company of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Lady Gaga. He supplied a picture of himself with a paper bag (recyclable, naturally) over his head.

But hey, let’s be real. Banksy wasn’t the first revolutionary when it came to street art. There's graffiti on the walls of Pompeii.

I liked the symbolism, history and hidden messages displayed in the wall art and murals I viewed in Puerto Rico. Many of those powerful swatches of paint and line on wooden and concrete walls of the Calles are a precursor to Banksy and modern art.

One statement piece stirred my heart because as soon as I saw it, I knew there was a message. I just didn’t know what the message was until I researched it.

What is the Puerto Rican Flag Door?

The Puerto Rican flag door is a black-painted Puerto Rican flag on the door of an abandoned building in Old San Juan. Initially, artists painted the flag in its original red, white, and blue colors in 2012. In 2016, the group Artistas Solidarixs en Resistencia repainted the flag in black, drawing significant attention and curiosity about its meaning.

If you enjoy street art, trendy photo spots, or Puerto Rican history, exploring the streets to find this door is worthwhile.

The black flag, painted on July 4, 2016, by Artistas Solidarixs en Resistencia, was a protest against the PROMESA law, which established a Fiscal Control Board over Puerto Rico.

Previously, the flag door had the traditional colors of the Puerto Rican flag. The black flag symbolizes resistance and hope, with the black replacing the original colors to signify the death of democratic values and the three branches of government represented by the flag’s triangle.

On July 4, 2016, around 2:00 a.m., four gutsy women from the collective known as La Puerta painted over the bright blue triangle and red stripes of the flag at 55 Calle San José. This act was in protest of the newly signed PROMESA law, which many saw as colonialism, imposing a fiscal control board over the island's debt without local representation.

The black and white Resistance flag has since become a powerful symbol, seen at protests and depicted in various forms across the United States.

It's a statement against colonialism and an affirmation of Puerto Rican identity, frequently seen on murals, merchandise, and even in popular media like Spike Lee's "She’s Gotta Have It." This transformation highlights the deep pride Puerto Ricans have for their flag, with the black-and-white version standing out as a symbol of defiance and resilience.

Way to go ladies.