BY: Agnes Radomski
There have been many events on campus in recent history that have sparked action among the student populous in the form of protests, walkouts, and artistic expression. While it may be difficult to see the silver lining at times, the racially motivated events starting with the Compton Cookout have provided students with a platform to speak out about issues affecting them and their education and demand reform.
While observing the once ordinary wall that has been transformed into a mural downstairs in the Communication and Media Building something in particular popped out at me.
I am sure many people will recognize the different events and themes that are addressed through the artist’s expression but will they recognize Winnie? Seeing the painting of a small figure engulfed in flames with bold capital letters that spelled out UCSD made me ask myself that same question. But I didn’t ask “is this Winnie?” I didn’t know his name but I knew about him. During my first quarter at UCSD, in one of my introductory Communication courses, a professor told us about Winnie. He also mentioned that it’s not an event that is widely discussed around campus.
George Winnie Jr. immolated himself on May 10, 1970 at Revelle Plaza in protest of the Vietnam War. He was just 23 years old. Next to himself he placed a sign that read “In God’s name, end this war.”
There is a plaque that commemorates him but it is not widely known about. Another UCSD student wrote about this, and his thoughts about Winnie’s death at his blog: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepuppydog/3060007954/.
Winnie’s death is something every UCSD student should know about. While the plaque may be in an area that not everyone treads the wall in the Communication building will at least expose Winnie to comm students and others who enter the building. And for those who will see the painting and may not know who he is, I hope that it will spark their curiosity to atleast find out.
Did you know about Winnie and did you know that he is part of the mural in the Communication and Media Building?
Is this art enough to spread the word about how Winnie died and for what reasons or do you think he should be commemorated somewhere on campus that everyone will see?
Were you aware of any other events or artistic expressions that have taken place on campus in Winnie’s name?
http://socialarchitectures.pbworks.com/The-Invisible-Shape-of-University-Past
In what ways have you seen students express themselves about the two wars we are currently in?
ucsdactivismart
Activism Art: UCSD 
That is crazy about that guy Winnie…. I have never heard anything about that! I suppose it is not something that the school wants to publicize, but what an interesting part of UCSD’s history. Would be nice to see some mention or acknowledgement of such a prominent event besides this mural at UCSD.
Being a musician myself I know a lot about expressing your feelings through art and protest. I found this article interesting, not so much in a way where Winnie was someone of the past and nothing else, but interesting in a way that could possibly strike the hearts of many students attending UCSD. I personally believe that Winnie should have more art to be remembered by so that students can have an example of this protest. I have seen many people protest the war in different ways, but now Winnie’s actions will make a bigger impact.