After the success of a “Before I Die” chalkboard wall installed in Coolidge Park, upon which people are encouraged to write their “bucket list” items, a wall was installed in East Chattanooga that is a slight variation on the concept.
Instead of lines that read “Before I Die I Want To,” the East Chattanooga wall reads “Before I Die in Five Minutes I Want To,” to reflect the increased risk of experiencing violent activity in that area.
Despite the city’s Violence Reduction Initiative program, which critics say has not had significant results, the city has struggled with curbing violence, especially from gang activity.
“Naturally, people are going to be more realistic with their bucket list items on this new wall,” said public art coordinator Ashley Bikenhalker. “Things like, ‘Enjoy a candy bar’ or ‘Squeeze one out behind this dumpster’ or ‘Post a selfie to Facebook so that authorities know where they can find my corpse.'”
