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Civil Rights Series
Statement by the Artist
William C. Byers

     The first seeds of an idea concerning my paintings were planted in the fall of 1964. I had followed very closely via television and the press the coverage of the atrocities perpetuated upon peaceful citizens seeking just equality under a democratic system. During one of the television newscasts, an "average man on the streets" in Mississippi wanted to know why everyone was so excited about the Medgar Evers murder. He made the remark that a "nigger ain't good for nothing but target practice." I became quite upset upon hearing this remark because I then began to realize the magnitude of the obstacles which the "movement" had to surmount.

     I simply wanted to see literally how one human being could regard another human life as merely a target to shoot at, so I did a rapid sketch in Casein Colors on a piece of brown wrapping paper portraying a Negro representing a target (the bull's-eye) to another human being. I made the sketch to concentrate on and see if I could actually comprehend how one of God's images could hold such little regard for a like image. I must confess my total failure to comprehend. 

     About a week later, a friend was viewing some paintings in my studio when he noticed my sketch which I had tacked to the wall. He was quite impressed with it and he chided me for "nonchalantly painting such a powerful, emotional thing on a piece of brown paper." He though such an idea should have permanence; he convinced me to do the idea in oil on a permanent structure. I decided that I would do this; but as I worked on this painting, (which started to change somewhat from the original concept), I found myself being drawn deeper into the real meaning of the "Rights Movement." I finally concluded that we are in the apex of a great historical development, which, in the end, might make the word Democracy a total realization. I decided upon a series of paintings which would depict the struggles of the last great minority group, within the democratic framework, to attain all the benefits of a democratic society.

     The thought of such an artistic undertaking seemed rather awesome. How could I show my immense respect and admiration for the people who had actually endured these hardships? How could I communicate my own personal feelings to the masses of laymen and stay within the realm of creativity? I did not wish to merely illustrate a story, nor did I want to alienate the masses through esoteric aesthetics.

     After much contemplation, I decided to interpret various events which had occurred during the present struggle. Each event would be interpreted and depicted as a separate entity but would bear a relationship to the overall theme. My approach would involve a use of realistic forms, which could withstand distortion whenever necessary; flat, subdued colors, because I did not wish for brush and color virtuosity to detract from the theme; and a zigzag motif throughout the entire series, which might convey the idea of actual or impending violence.

     Personal symbols were used to emphasize subjective feelings such as: 

• the purple swastika in "The Mississippi Three"; 

• the before-mentioned bull's-eye in "The Night Target"; 

• the act of the man using the Confederate flag as a cleaver in "Little Rock";

• the religious symbols on the walls in "Birmingham '63" as well as 

• the pile of rubble near the child in the upper part of the painting resembling the mound of a grave; 

• the child's tricycle on the porch in "Mr. Dahmer's Night Visitors"; 

• the child's rag doll outside the house where the "Night Assassins" are planting the bomb; 

• the Confederate flag on the arm of the policeman in "Southern Chivalry";

• the burning cross on the church steeple coupled with the burning KKK cross in "Church Burning"; 

• the zigzag cross on which the figure lies in "Death of Rev Reeb"; and 

• the faces coming out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of realization in "Uniting for a Common Cause."

     The present series was completed after one and one-half year's work, because I was unable to devote my full time to it. I embarked upon this venture with a firm belief that significant history is being made in our time, and I, as a Negro artist, could do no less than attempt to record -- perhaps for future reference -- the suffering, patience, inspiration, faith, and hope of those people involved.

   William C. Byers            

The Artist
       William C. Byers, whose work has been exhibited at the Art Extended Group in Detroit, studied with Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros at the University of Mexico City [and at Bellas Artes in San Miquel De Allende, Mexico]. Following his undergraduate work at the Mexico City School, Byers earned his master's degree in art education at Wayne State University. He is an art teacher at Jefferson Junior High School.
       The Oakland Center Board at Oakland University is proud to sponsor the first public exhibition of 16 oil paintings by Detroit artist William D. Byers. The collection was loaned to the University by the Metropolitan Baptist Church, where it has been on permanent display.

Reprinted From An Exhibition Brochure: An Exhibition of Paintings Depicting The Negro Civil Rights Struggle, The Oakland Center - Oakland University - February 12-16, 1968