Washington hopes with all this firepower to maintain control over oil resources and stave off popular rebellions. The U.S. understands that, ultimately, the main threat to all imperialist control is the revolutionary potential of the masses of working people.

Misty Copeland said of the mural: “I’m incredibly honored to be featured in this stunning mural by El Mac at San Pedro City Ballet, my very first ballet studio and a place that will always feel like home. What he’s captured through my image is so much bigger than me, it represents every young person from this community and beyond who deserves access to the arts. This is such a beautiful tribute to where it all began for me.”