In time for Valentine’s Day, the UK’s National Archives is hosting an exhibition delving into the art and politics of love letters, as reported by Zuzanna Lachendro of the New Statesman. Before the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, gay individuals discreetly connected through coded language in classified ads. The exhibit features a humorous exchange between two male friends across the Atlantic and a letter from a 1920s raid on London’s Caravan Club. Notably, a 19th-century letter to performer Ernest ‘Stella’ Boulton from his mother challenges Victorian gender norms.
Meanwhile, Char Adams chronicles the history of Black-owned bookstores, highlighted by Williamena Kwapo of the Sacramento Observer. Adams’ research reveals David Ruggles as the pioneer of such establishments, opening in Manhattan in 1834. Ruggles was also a significant abolitionist figure, credited with an early use of the phrase ‘by any means necessary,’ predating Malcolm X. Adams expresses honor in spotlighting Ruggles’ legacy.
Nicolas Liney reviews a new book for the Nation that examines the Parthenon Marbles’ impact on public imagination and the ongoing repatriation debate. Stallings’ witty narrative places these artifacts in their historical context, revealing how they served various European intellectual agendas, including race theory. Notably, artist Benjamin Haydon used the Marbles to make disparaging racial comparisons, chronicling his efforts in his autobiography.
Lisa Kurian Philip, reporting for WBEZ Chicago, covers a controversy at Northwestern University over a symbol linked to anti-trans rhetoric. The university states the student’s interest was purely historical, yet experts like Matthew Gabriele note the Cross of Burgundy’s conservative and reactionary symbolism, often associated with far-right ideologies.
José R. Ralat recounts an encounter with ICE while on assignment, as shared in Texas Monthly. Despite providing business credentials, Ralat and his companion were detained briefly without clear justification. Finally, Nora Adin Fares discusses Sweden’s political climate in New Lines Magazine, where the influence of the far-right Sweden Democrats has led to controversial policy shifts since their parliamentary entry in 2010, including hardline stances on migration and societal values.
