Trump Administration Crackdown on Civil War and Slavery References Begins
/Trump Administration Crackdown on Civil War and Slavery References Begins
The Trump administration has ordered the removal of information on slavery at multiple national parks and other cultural institutions in an effort to end advocacy of corrosive ideologies in America.
At Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia, Trump officials told park employees to take down a sign that criticizes the post-Civil War “Lost Cause” ideology, saying that it romanticized the Confederacy and denied slavery’s central role in the conflict.
The National Portrait Gallery of Art in Washington houses the original version of “The Scourged Back,” also known as “Whipped Peter.” It’s also scheduled for removal.
AOC shares the life of Peter Gordon, aka ‘Whipped Peter’. His story and photos jolted northerners who had no idea that slavery could be so cruel.
Read MoreKirsten Dunst in Town & Country Prompts a Look at Marie Antoinette's White Women World
/AOC Delves into Sofia Coppola’s White World of Women
Hollywood actor Kirsten Dunst covers the September 2025 issue of Town & Country [IG], interviewed by Mickey Rapkin in ‘Cool Girl Colossus’. Dunst is styled by Deborah Afshani in images by Tina Tyrell [IG].
Late Emerging Criticism of Economic and Racial Realities in ‘Marie Antoinette’
While there was no serious race-related pushback against the film initially, over time Coppola’s preoccupation with a “privileged white woman’s problems” has become a source of criticism. Even agreeing that Marie Antoinette can be viewed universally, critics and students both insist that Coppola’s world of women is white and preferably rich.
In her Town & Country interview, Dunst reveals that she just finished reading a script for director Sofia Coppola’s latest film project.
Kirsten Dunst and Sofia Coppola have collaborated on four feature films: The Virgin Suicides [1999], Marie Antoinette [2006], The Bling Ring [2013], and The Beguiled [2017]. Dunst starred in the first three films and had a cameo in the fourth.
Read MorePharrell Williams Heads to Rome with Voices of Fire for Vatican City Unity Concert
/Pharrell Williams Heads to Rome with Voices of Fire for Vatican City Unity Concert
In Rome, Pharrell will co-direct with Andrea Bocelli the ‘Grace for the World’ closing celebration of the third World Meeting on Human Fraternity. The “landmark cultural and spiritual event” will take place in St. Peter’s Square and will stream live on Disney+, Hulu, and ABC News Live on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. ET.
According to a press release, the concert will “bring together music, reflection, and visual storytelling in a singular live experience,” and feature live performances by Bocelli, Williams with the Voices of Fire Gospel Choir, Teddy Swims, John Legend, a 250-person international choir and more talents. There will also be an aerial drone and light show by Nova Sky Stories, including imagery inspired by the Sistine Chapel.
Pharrell called the upcoming gathering “a rare cultural moment where the world stops and collectively tunes in. It is a message of unity and grace for all of humanity”.
Read MoreHumanism 101: Sarah Burton Givenchy Fall 2025 Campaign Lensed by Collier Schorr
/Humanism 101: Sarah Burton Givenchy Fall 2025 Campaign Lensed by Collier Schorr
Givenchy designer and creative director Sarah Burton grabs media focus for her Fall 2025 Campaign and its embrace of humanist values. In a quiet, elegant, modern strategy, Givenchy sends a signal to Burton’s clients old and new, that they are welcomed with a warm embrace by the maison. Thank you, Sarah Burton.
The Givenchy campaign, lensed by Collier Schorr [IG] joins the current Polo Ralph Lauren x Oak Bluffs campaign under a new heading AOC is calling Humanism 101.
Burton happily embraces a wide spectrum of women in new ways, breaking the mold with a unique campaign message that Humanism 101 chief Brunello Cucinelli will love.
“The beauty of all women inspires me — including my team,” Burton said. “I wanted to capture the brilliant women I work with amongst the cast — real moments with everyone working together.”
Read MoreHumanism 101: Polo Ralph Lauren x Oak Bluffs: A Portrait of the American Dream
/Humanism 101: Polo Ralph Lauren x Oak Bluffs: A Portrait of the American Dream
Writing about the Ralph Lauren Pre-Fall 2025 Campaign in early July, I noted that the Ralph Lauren name — and especially Polo Ralph Lauren — carries great symbolism and respect in the Black community.
Two Humanists: Cucinelli and Lauren
My retraction comes from this early July 2025 statement in this post:
No one articulates humanist values like Brunello Cucinelli, but Ralph is way up there delivering major marketing changes but without a visual bullhorn.