Non-static method in static context

[Joel Christophel]

I'm trying to use the method non-static method getClass() within the static context of makeSlot. Is there any way to get around this?

static JButton makeSlot(String color) {

		if (color.equals("white")) {
			slotForButton = new ImageIcon(getClass().getResource("Space.png"));
		}

		else if (color.equals("red")) {
			slotForButton = new ImageIcon(getClass().getResource(
					"Red Checker.png"));
		}

		else if (color.equals("black")) {
			slotForButton = new ImageIcon(getClass().getResource(
					"Black Checker.png"));
		}
		
			slotButton = new JButton(slotForButton);
			
		return slotButton;
	}

Error: Cannot make a static reference to the non-static method getClass() from the type Object.

[Jeff Verdegan]

If you want to refer to the current class in a static context, you have to explicitly provide the class name, such as MyClass.class.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Why would you want the class name in a makeButton method?
That makeButton method worries me. There is something very worrying about if (something.equals(item1))...else if (something.equals(item2))...else if...
It does not look like object‑oriented programming. There must be a better way to do it.