The actor found out his son was getting bullied at school about their heritage – so he created a stand-up show, got it on Netflix, and is now promoting some top-quality books about Latinx history so other kids don’t have to experience the same thing. Here’s his holiday shortlist of books (that, yeah, Americans should already have read). – The Atlantic
Author: ArtsJournal2
As The Field Museum Revamps, It Starts To Ask Exactly Whom Its Native American Hall Is For
The remodel of the Native North American Hall is overdue (at any natural history museum), and it’s vital. The hall hasn’t changed since its inception in the 1950s, and it’s a mess. How will the Field Museum do it right? “The renovations are taking place under the guidance of a robust advisory committee made up of contemporary Native American tribal leaders, scholars, artists, historical society representatives, and cultural caretakers.” (And it won’t remain stuck in time for 65+ years, either.) – Chicago Reader
Is Russia Engaging In A ‘Covert War’ Against Its Own Youth, And Their Favorite Musicians?
Well, possibly. For instance, rapper Husky has had recent concerts cancelled by the government – and when he performed outside for his audience, he was arrested and convicted. An electronica group whose concerts were also cancelled says, “The order to exert pressure on us is coming from Moscow.” – BBC
Fruscella And Moore: An Important Find
“We are rewarded with an hour of their music that until now has been all but unknown.” – Doug Ramsey
Tales Of Doomsday Eros
“Why not acknowledge the MLFs, masochists, rapists, sadists, animal fuckers, and fisting fetishists, among other artisans of debauchery, with one helluva good read.” – Jan Herman
Senegal Opens Museum Of Black Civilizations, Funded By China
The museum, in Dakar, is pan-African and also includes works from the Caribbean. A UNESCO official said, “This museum is a response to the aspirations of African children to better understand their memory and other cultures. It is also an important step towards the realization of an Africa with a strong cultural identity.” – AfricaNews
High Culture Without Apologies – What Orchestras Can Do
Colleges and professional orchestras both seem to be declining in relevance and power, but if they work together, much is possible. – Joe Horowitz
If ‘Widows’ Really Wanted To Be Feminist, Well, It Threw Away Its Shot
Director Steve McQueen and his co-writer Gillian Flynn might say the movie, starring Viola Davis at the head of a very fine cast of badass women, is feminist, or deals with racism and sexism at every level of society, but … well. “Their dialogue starts to read like promotional materials for the newest brand of Feminism Lite.” – Vice
How Should The Government Collect On A Fugitive’s Wild Shopping Spree?
A Malaysian financier siphoned millions of dollars and then bought everything from a $250 million yacht to a see-through grand piano. “It is one of the largest international kleptocracy cases the United States has ever pursued.It is so expansive that just tracking down, retrieving and maintaining the loot has become a complex multinational operation in itself.” – The New York Times
The Poet Who Wants Americans To Have A Personal Reckoning
Natasha Trethewey has been the U.S. poet laureate, is a Pulitzer Prize-winner, and has a new collection out, and it requests from, and gives back, much to its readers. “Trethewey writes into the sprawling and untold stories in America’s history, giving voice to the forgotten, or the memories at risk of being forgotten.” – BuzzFeed