A Progressive Viewpoint

  The false accusation that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, are eating dogs and cats is a blatant example of racist and xenophobic rhetoric, peddled by figures like Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. This narrative fits neatly into a long-standing fascist playbook that scapegoats immigrants, particularly people of color, as the source of societal problems. It serves as a distraction, a convenient smokescreen to shift blame away from the real issues afflicting the United States—such as systemic inequality, corporate influence in politics, and the erosion of workers' rights—and instead place it on vulnerable populations. Such disinformation echoes the propaganda tactics employed by authoritarian regimes throughout history, most notably the Nazis in pre-war Germany. In a similar fashion, the Nazis promoted falsehoods about Jews, accusing them of all manner of social ills in order to justify their brutal policies of marginalization and extermination. The goal was not merely to vilify but ...

  New Banksy graffiti is popping up in London, and a recent article in The Guardian discusses the impact of these works: The Guardian . Banksy is clearly making a statement, but is it simply to say, “Lighten up, the world is too serious?” I think the meaning of art varies for everyone and serves as a way to spark wider conversations. The spontaneity of his artwork and the randomness of the locations bring moments of delight to the ordinary daily life of London residents and visitors. However, it’s clear that Banksy carefully selects these locations, and his message, though not always obvious, is deliberate. Then, opportunistic capitalists either try to make money by removing the art, or it’s labeled as an eyesore and destroyed. Maybe Banksy expects this reaction and is subtly criticizing our corrupt capitalist system. Like other graffiti artists, Banksy is bringing art directly to the public. Many people don’t have access to art galleries or don’t want to visit them because ...