With Valentine’s Day approaching, the UK’s National Archives is hosting an exhibition that delves into the art and politics of love letters, as reported by Zuzanna Lachendro of the New Statesman. Prior to the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, gay individuals used coded language in classified ads to connect, with terms like “bohemian” or “artistic” for men. The exhibit features a lighthearted letter exchange between two male friends across the Atlantic and a letter found during a 1920s raid on the Caravan Club in London. Another highlight includes a 19th-century letter to performer Ernest “Stella” Boulton from his mother, challenging Victorian gender norms.
Char Adams has documented the rise of Black-owned bookstores, with findings shared by Williamena Kwapo of the Sacramento Observer. The book unveils the story of David Ruggles, who opened the first known Black-owned bookstore in Manhattan in 1834 and was a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement. Surprisingly, the phrase “by any means necessary,” often linked to Malcolm X, was first used by Ruggles over a century earlier. Adams expresses her honor in spotlighting Ruggles’ legacy.
Nicolas Liney of the Nation reviews a new book on the Parthenon Marbles, exploring their impact on poets like Byron and Keats and the ongoing debate over their repatriation. The book offers insightful perspectives on how the Marbles were used to further various European agendas. Notably, Benjamin Haydon admired their anatomy but used them to make derogatory comparisons with Black individuals, including taking casts of an African American sailor to support his claims.
At Northwestern University, a symbol linked to anti-trans rhetoric sparked controversy, as reported by Lisa Kurian Philip for WBEZ Chicago. The university stated the student was interested in the history of the Cross and the Duke of Burgundy, not intending anti-trans hate. However, experts note the symbol’s association with far-right ideologies. Matthew Gabriele from Virginia Tech comments on the medieval imagery’s appeal to reactionary groups, despite its rarity in America.
José R. Ralat recounts being stopped by ICE while on assignment for Texas Monthly, questioning the search’s legitimacy. Meanwhile, Nora Adin Fares reports for New Lines Magazine on Sweden’s increasing Islamophobia and xenophobia under a center-right government influenced by the far-right Sweden Democrats. Proposals include incarcerating minors in adult prisons and requiring asylum-seekers to sign loyalty pledges. The political shift began when the SD entered parliament in 2010, marking a significant change in Swedish politics.
