America actually has a long, ugly history of prudent and censorship. Perhaps we might reference Comstick and his crusade against obscenity, which was basically anything Comstidisliked.
And speaking of that... remember when The Village People complained about Rump not being authorized to use their song in his campaign? How did they end up doing the tune, I think in front of him, but certainly for his benefit? Hmmm...
I read, but can't confirm that Trump has mandated that all federal buildings to be built going forward must be in the "Classical" style. Architecture is art. This is so 150% authoritarian to dictate the style of architecture for ALL governmental buildings. No words.
My local symphony orchestra is major orchestra in a mid-sized American city. I have a small subscription which allows me to go often on my limited budget. It's a major help for me, especially in these dark times, I can sink into the music and turn off the bad news for a few hours.
The symphony had a major DEI webpage, and had appointed a DEI officer.
Recently, their DEI webpage quietly disappeared from their website. The Wayback Machine showed the page there back on February 10th. I had looked a few weeks ago, and it was still there. Now it's gone.
The DEI officer is still listed, but for how long?
A few years ago, the symphony appointed their first women concertmaster, after over a century of men in the position. She is by no means a "DEI appointment" (whatever that means), she has the talent for the role, as much talent and probably even more than a lot of the men in the orchestra. I fear for her role in the orchestra too.
I believe that we should boycott businesses and organizations who cave to Trump's threats. I haven't decided to cancel my subscription yet, but I will monitor what the orchestra's response is over the next few months.
Please write to your local symphony to make sure they're aware that they are losing audience members when they "obey in advance" and enable an authoritarian tyrant. That said- and I'm not making excuses, but symphony orchestras in mid-sized American cities live financially on the edge most of the time. IF they are dependent on federal grant money- and Trump has put "anti-DEI" strings on those grants, it's possible that a mid-sized city symphony had no choice. Look at Columbia University! We all know Trump's threats had nothing to do with anti-semitism and everything to striking fear in our centers of intellectual thought. I hope you are able to participate in the protests on Saturday April 5th. The Executive Director (think that's his title) of Indivisible was interviewed her by Jen Rubin & he spoke of how important it is to have peaceful street protests EVERYWHERE. Thank-you!
Probably giving away TOO much location information here - but JD Vance's wife was on the symphony board a few years ago. Now she's bringing her (and her husband's and Trump's) special "magic" to the Kennedy Center.
The symphony should know by now that caving doesn't work. And yes, I have written to them and let my feelings be known through several different avenues.
Pretty soon we'll see museums lose grants and face shutdowns for "degenerate art." A phrase which sounds better in the original German.
America actually has a long, ugly history of prudent and censorship. Perhaps we might reference Comstick and his crusade against obscenity, which was basically anything Comstidisliked.
Well Hitler liked Richard Wagner. I guess Trump will start using his favorite music, including the great 70's hit "YMCA".
And speaking of that... remember when The Village People complained about Rump not being authorized to use their song in his campaign? How did they end up doing the tune, I think in front of him, but certainly for his benefit? Hmmm...
I read, but can't confirm that Trump has mandated that all federal buildings to be built going forward must be in the "Classical" style. Architecture is art. This is so 150% authoritarian to dictate the style of architecture for ALL governmental buildings. No words.
I suddenly find myself in a very large bind.
My local symphony orchestra is major orchestra in a mid-sized American city. I have a small subscription which allows me to go often on my limited budget. It's a major help for me, especially in these dark times, I can sink into the music and turn off the bad news for a few hours.
The symphony had a major DEI webpage, and had appointed a DEI officer.
Recently, their DEI webpage quietly disappeared from their website. The Wayback Machine showed the page there back on February 10th. I had looked a few weeks ago, and it was still there. Now it's gone.
The DEI officer is still listed, but for how long?
A few years ago, the symphony appointed their first women concertmaster, after over a century of men in the position. She is by no means a "DEI appointment" (whatever that means), she has the talent for the role, as much talent and probably even more than a lot of the men in the orchestra. I fear for her role in the orchestra too.
I believe that we should boycott businesses and organizations who cave to Trump's threats. I haven't decided to cancel my subscription yet, but I will monitor what the orchestra's response is over the next few months.
Please write to your local symphony to make sure they're aware that they are losing audience members when they "obey in advance" and enable an authoritarian tyrant. That said- and I'm not making excuses, but symphony orchestras in mid-sized American cities live financially on the edge most of the time. IF they are dependent on federal grant money- and Trump has put "anti-DEI" strings on those grants, it's possible that a mid-sized city symphony had no choice. Look at Columbia University! We all know Trump's threats had nothing to do with anti-semitism and everything to striking fear in our centers of intellectual thought. I hope you are able to participate in the protests on Saturday April 5th. The Executive Director (think that's his title) of Indivisible was interviewed her by Jen Rubin & he spoke of how important it is to have peaceful street protests EVERYWHERE. Thank-you!
Probably giving away TOO much location information here - but JD Vance's wife was on the symphony board a few years ago. Now she's bringing her (and her husband's and Trump's) special "magic" to the Kennedy Center.
The symphony should know by now that caving doesn't work. And yes, I have written to them and let my feelings be known through several different avenues.