Over the course of decades in America, the one thing that has brought a divided country together has been the arts.
Eric Schaeffer – File Photo by Todd Franson
The arts are a vessel that brings ideas to life, introducing each of us to different, and sometimes challenging, points of view. They help us begin conversations and understanding about different people, different ideas and different ways of thinking altogether. They provide a safe place where no one is judged while thoughts and ideas are exchanged. Songs can move us, words can change us and music notes can stir our soul.
I hope the next four years we can use art to heal, accept different points of view and grow as a country that continues to be a melting pot of immigrants founded with the principle of free speech.
As President Kennedy said, “I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”
The opinions expressed in these letters are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organizations and this magazine, its staff and contributors.
The Trump administration canceled at least 68 grants to 46 institutions, totaling about $40 million, that had been awarded to study issues related to LGBTQ health.
Some of the grant money was already spent, but at least $1.36 million -- and likely more -- in future support has been pulled as part of the Trump administration's efforts to target what it calls "ideologically-driven" science.
That is part of a larger effort to purge the federal government of -- and to pressure the private sector to eliminate -- diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs, including anything that acknowledges the existence of transgender identity.
Stages are alight this Spring with a deluge of exciting productions -- some starry, as in the case of The Shakespeare Theatre's Uncle Vanya featuring Hugh Bonneville, equally beloved in Downton Abbey and the joyous Paddington films.
The beauty of theater -- and in all these inventive, upcoming works -- is that it serves up various points of view with drama, wit, and intellect often concealed under the guise of boisterous entertainment. At its best, theater quenches our thirst for a deeper connection to our fellow human beings. At its worst, it's Cats. Still, theater sometimes gives you a musical moment that makes your spirits soar.
Less than three months before he is scheduled to turn himself in to federal authorities to serve a 7-year prison term, George Santos is now begging Trump for a pardon.
The 36-year-old Republican's plea backtracks on previous statements he made claiming he would not seek clemency from Trump.
However, it is not surprising, given the former New York congressman's previous admissions to fabricating significant details of his life story after he was first elected.
It was those inconsistencies that triggered further questions about his campaign spending and fundraising activities -- leading to both a congressional ethics investigation, a damning report from the House Ethics Committee accusing him of financial and ethical wrongdoing, his expulsion from Congress at the hands of his colleagues, and ultimately, criminal charges brought by the Department of Justice.
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