Latest news with #ThomasJPrice
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Is Everyone So Mad That Black Women Are Choosing Rest?
A regular Black woman in jeans and a T-shirt. She looks like your aunty, your cousin, your mom, or maybe she looks like you. She is just standing there. At rest. Hands on her hips, doing nothing, minding her own business. And people are mad at that. The recently erected giant sculpture in New York's Times Square by London-based sculptor Thomas J Price has elicited a number of reactions. Some racist reactions, of course, some sexist, some body shamers, and some Black folks themselves who feel like the depiction is 'stereotypical'. But my takeaway from all this is that one of the most triggering things for people is seeing a Black woman at rest. A post shared via Instagram In early April, thousands of Americans joined the #HandsOff protest across the United States, demanding 'change'. I watched some of the coverage on the news and you know what? I didn't see Black women marching with signs, I didn't see them at the front of the protest line where they usually would be. I went online and saw Black women at brunch, dancing, talking about books and makeup, encouraging each other to not protest, but to stay home and rest. A post shared via Instagram After an overwhelming 92% of Black women backed the Democrats in the 2024 U.S. election, many of our Black American sisters have decided to focus on themselves and their communities, and let the chips fall where they may. Things are a shambles in the U.S. My social feeds are full of angry people across the globe, cussing Trump about job cuts, funding cuts, tariffs, bullying Canada, Greenland, Panama, Mexico and, if we're honest, the world. Black women did not cause these problems but yet again, the world wants us to fix them. People are yelling, 'Where is Kamala?!? Why isn't she saying anything?' A post shared via Instagram Former Vice President Kamala Harris is now a private citizen because the American electorate didn't vote for her. She is resting, as are the 92 percent of Black women who voted for her. 'Why isn't she saying anything?!? Where is Michelle Obama?!' Michelle Obama is quiet and resting, too. So why are Black women are turning inward, focusing on themselves, their families, and building their communities? Because when it was necessary, when it was crucial to the benefit of Black people—and by extension, all people—the majority turned their collective back. At least that's what I've heard as a Canadian watching from the sidelines. But what are the Black women living and working in the U.S. saying? Sasha Whitney is a first-generation Nigerian American based in Washington, DC. She is a fitness instructor and content creator who discusses social issues, particularly those affecting Black women. She uses her platform to reflect and share her perspectives on topics such as rest, community building, and the American socio-political climate. I found Sasha on my TikTok feed when I was looking up the April 5 protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk across the U.S. I DM'd her and she agreed to speak with me. When I asked her why Black women are taking this time to rest, she referenced Malcolm X: 'The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.' Black women are frustrated. "It's just so in your face that this country hates Black women so that they would rather choose the opposite, someone who would be a detriment to the vast majority of people, than to elect a Black woman. It makes you realize that so many people are comfortable being on the receiving end of the efforts, the gains of Black women—Black women's work, labour, time, energy, everything—but to be led by a Black woman?" said Sasha. "I have done my part. I did what I was supposed to do. I've showed up, I've marched, I've organized, I have reached out, I've done my research, I've done everything that I can do. And so many Black women continue to do everything they can do, but our voices are just not respected. People would rather our labour than our voice." African American women knew what would happen if 2024 Democratic nominee Harris wasn't elected. They protested, rallied, and voted for the first Black and Asian vice president (but not the first Black woman to run for president). Now, just three months into the current Trump administration, everything Harris predicted has come to pass. When Sasha reflected on the 2024 election results, she realized things had to change. 'What am I doing this for? It caused me to refocus and reflect my time, my energy, and how I can better use it. There's this idea that Black women are resting. We're staying... I don't want to say silent, but we're resting, minding our business and staying hydrated.' So, she stopped protesting and decided to use her energy differently. That was her version of rest — but it looks different for everyone. For some, it's showing up to protest when they feel like it. For others, it's not showing up at all. For Sasha, it's commenting on her social platforms about what is happening in the country. After the April 6 protests, she posted a video about a first-time protester, who is also a white woman, complaining about the lack of entertainment at the protest for her child. At first, Sasha thought it was rage bait, but after checking the woman's profile, she realized it was a serious complaint. 'She's rating a protest, giving it a Yelp review,' Sasha recounted. 'It's so extremely tone deaf and exudes white privilege and the assumption of comfort as a right. It's not about you. It's about the larger message. A cause bigger than yourself, a cause that possibly could help your child someday, you're still thinking about you and your comfort.' African Americans have never had the privilege to demand comfort when protesting. During the American Civil Rights Movement and the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Black children who protested couldn't expect safety or comfort. They were attacked with fire hoses by police, attacked by dogs, beaten and brutalized, arrested, and sexually assaulted by police. 'It's Black children, not just in America, but globally, in their struggles and in their fight for freedom. There is no comfort. There is no bouncy house. They're out there legitimately fighting for their lives, their life, their freedoms. [This is] an example of what it is when we say we live in two separate worlds. We're fighting for two separate things." Recently, I saw my friend Nneka at a mutual friend's baby shower. It was a pleasant surprise because she had been living and working in the States. We started talking about the situation down south and she agreed to speak with me on the record — if I didn't use her real name. She's a Canadian citizen and is worried that U.S. border officials may not allow her back into the U.S. if she comments negatively about the Trump administration. "I travel back and forth from Canada to the United States often and never have had any issues, but I am hearing a number of stories... I'm feeling it. I'm a little afraid and so is my family," she explained. So, what does a Black Canadian living in New York City have to say about Black women sitting this out? Nneka looks at it like Sasha does: 'This is not a fight for Black women. I am taking a seat and letting those who may have a more direct impact on the way that this has occurred take the lead on this." Black women are the conscience of the United States. They are the canaries in the coal mine — but that also comes with a warning. 'Many forget that canaries often showed signs of distress or died before anyone took heed of the warnings. While Black women try to illuminate critical issues affecting our world, we often risk our own well-being in the process,' stated an article posted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There is anxiety about the future, but Sasha believes Black Americans will be OK. 'I'm always of the mindset that you control what you can control, and you leave the rest. So, what do I control? My energy,' she explained. 'The beautiful part is that Black people are going to survive. Black people are the most prepared for this — and Black women are especially prepared because we've been through this before.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Grounded In The Stars' Times Square Statue Sparks Social Media Debate
A statue of a Black woman that was placed in Times Square in New York City last month is now at the center of digital discourse. The 12-foot bronze figure, named Grounded in the Stars, is by visual artist Thomas J Price. According to the Times Square website, Price uses artwork to confront preconceived notions of identity and representation. As described by Times Square, 'Grounded in the Stars was made to disrupt traditional ideas around what defines a triumphant figure and challenges who should be rendered immortal through monumentalization.'The woman depicted in the statue is a Black woman wearing braids. She is poised upright in a subtle nod to Michelangelo's David, with her hands on her hips, wearing everyday, casual clothing. Her body is arguably the physique of the average woman. 'Times Square stands as an iconic symbol and site of convergence, uniting people from all walks of life, individual stories, and experiences intersecting on a global platform,' relayed Price. Times Square Arts will also present Price's stop-motion animations Man Series on the district's billboards nightly in May as a part of the Midnight Moment program. 'The intention of my public works is to become part of the place they inhabit and its physical, material history, as well as the visitors that pass through and around the location, no matter how fleeting. I hope Grounded in the Stars and Man Series will instigate meaningful connections and bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity.' Despite Price's seemingly good motives, on social media, Grounded in the Stars has been the subject of racist hate and additional critique from people who feel the statue is a misrepresentation. 'Who is this woman?' questioned Fox News host Jesse Watters in a news broadcast. 'What did she do to get a statue? A nice one, too!' He continued to answer his own question and exclaimed, 'Nothing. This isn't a real person. It's a DEI statue.' One user on X shared a petition to have the artwork removed. They wrote, 'Trying to explain to Black women why the statue is a set up and harmful feels like talking to a wall. I'm genuinely struggling to understand how they don't see that we're being mocked, not honored.' Another suggested, 'And they want us to believe that #statue isn't a mockery???' as they shared a clip of a group of Black women dancing. They further explained their opinion, 'A man with a white mother and white wife made that statue. He has no idea what an accurate representation of a Black woman is. He doesn't even have ANY relation to Black women.' One account declared, 'Woke culture strikes again. It's not art; it's activism. It's the left turning public spaces into a battleground for their agenda. Real culture doesn't need to be shoved down our throats.' Still, the debate was not without rebuttal. 'They mad at a statue of an everyday Black woman because it looks like an everyday Black woman. Just say y'all hate yourselves,' shared one user in reaction to the discourse. 'Plenty of black women look like that statue, my aunties, my teachers, the lady at the bank. That represents so many of our mothers and sisters. Y'all only desire to be sexualized. You don't wanna f**k the statue so it's not acceptable, but go outside. You see her everywhere,' asserted one account. 'I had a Black Woman comment under my video defending that statue that she looked like a 'stressed and tired single mother,'' explained one user. 'I genuinely didn't realize so many of yall thought so lowly of your own people, and ultimately yourselves. Cus HOW did that come to your mind…?!' Grounded In the Stars is set to remain on display at Broadway and 46th Street through June 17, 2025. 'If these fictional characters are from a gender or perceived race that you have decided should not be at this level, and suddenly you see them presented in their gloriousness, it challenges people's internal landscapes,' expanded Price in an interview with The Art Newspaper. 'But this is so important for us to do, we should all be doing this to ourselves daily. So this is my little gesture to present an opportunity for people to question their assumptions about the world we live in.' Read some of the digital discourse below. More from Jay-Z, Roc Nation Share Times Square Casino Plans In Open Letter Jay-Z, Roc Nation Join Investors To Open Times Square Casino Jeopardy Contestant Recalls Kanye West's Post-Amber Rose, Pre-Kim Kardashian Date
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Thomas J Price? Creator of the controversial statue in Times Square
A striking 12-foot bronze statue of a fictional Black woman now stands in New York's Times Square, provoking fierce debate and widespread commentary online. Unveiled on April 29 and set to remain until June 17, the sculpture, titled Grounded in the Stars , depicts a young woman in everyday attire—braided hair, T-shirt, and trousers—with a calm yet assertive stance. Its creator, British artist Thomas J Price , says the piece aims to challenge traditional ideas of monumentality while encouraging viewers to reflect on representation, identity, and shared humanity. The piece sparked controversy almost immediately. While some praised its symbolic significance, others mocked its appearance and accused it of reinforcing negative stereotypes. Critics on social media questioned its aesthetic value and even challenged Price's reference to Michelangelo's David, calling the comparison exaggerated. One user described the figure as looking more like a caricature than an empowering presence. Operation Sindoor Pak to deploy students in case of war with India? What Khawaja Asif said Abu Jundal, Yusuf Azhar & more: 5 key Pakistani terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor Entry to airports banned, ATMs closed & more such news: Govt says 'fake news' Others saw political undertones, claiming the statue served more to provoke than to inspire. Price, who also debuted animated video works from his Man Series on Times Square billboards as part of the Midnight Moment programme, has long been known for using public art to challenge dominant narratives. He insists his intention is not to glorify one figure but to broaden public understanding of whose stories deserve representation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo According to his team, the work 'offers a unique opportunity to experience Times Square in a new light and share a moment of personal reflection amidst the district's hyperactivity. ' Who is Thomas J Price Born in 1981; lives and works in London. Studied at Chelsea College of Art and the Royal College of Art. Known for large-scale sculptures that explore representation and challenge traditional monumentality. Uses a hybrid of traditional sculpting and digital techniques to create fictional characters. Received the Arts Council England Helen Chadwick Fellowship in 2009. His work spans multiple disciplines, including sculpture, film, performance, and animation. Held solo exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Created the UK's first permanent public sculptures to honour the Windrush generation (unveiled 2022). His sculptures feature in global collections such as the Government Art Collection (UK) and the Donum Estate (USA).
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Statue of a Black woman in Times Square brings out the worst of the right-wingers on social media
A 12-foot-tall statue of a Black woman erected in Times Square meant to 'confront preconceived notions of identity and representation' has spurred vitriol from right-wing provocateurs. The bronze statue titled Grounded in the Stars, by artist Thomas J Price, was placed in the heart of Midtown Manhattan at the end of last month, much to the disappointment of many disgusting Internet trolls. While Price hoped the statue would 'instigate meaningful connections' and 'allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity,' the Internet decided to take the hateful route. 'How does this statue erected in Times Square 'confront perceived notions of identity and representation,' it's just some obnoxious looking overweight black woman, it's reinforcing those preconceived notions,'' X user @dsisme48 wrote. In a second post, the same user questioned, 'Is she someone famous or just a DEI project?' Many other posts about the statue have included much more vulgar and racist statements. The statue, which depicts a fictitious woman wearing a plain T-shirt and pants with braided hair and her hands on her hips, is meant to have 'familiar qualities' to the everyday woman, according to a description on the Times Square website. It was also intended to serve as a contrast to other sculptures, in particular two pedestaled monuments of white men situated nearby. Even so, people took strong issue with the art, making fun of both the woman's weight and the statue itself. Right-wing X account @EndWokeness shared several posts about the statue, garnering thousands of likes and hateful comments. 'Fat black women have somehow elevated themselves to the top of the pyramid,' X user @basedalright added. 'It is considered 'Cow Tipping' when and if someone knocks this over?' Facebook user Elijah Vincent commented under a photo of the statue. 'She looks like she [is] asking for the manager…' Facebook user Virginia Archer chimed in. 'Wondering where her food stamps at,' user Mind Matt commented. Facebook poster Thomas Kshetrimayum added: 'Is that like a warning to the young girls? Like, 'if you don't eat right, you are gonna become like that'' Grounded in the Stars is set to stand in the heart of Times Square until June 17.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Statue of a Black woman in Times Square brings out the worst of the right-wingers on social media
A 12-foot-tall statue of a Black woman erected in Times Square meant to 'confront preconceived notions of identity and representation' has spurred vitriol from right-wing provocateurs. The bronze statue titled Grounded in the Stars, by artist Thomas J Price, was placed in the heart of Midtown Manhattan at the end of last month, much to the disappointment of many disgusting Internet trolls. While Price hoped the statue would 'instigate meaningful connections' and 'allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity, ' the Internet decided to take the hateful route. 'How does this statue erected in Times Square 'confront perceived notions of identity and representation,' it's just some obnoxious looking overweight black woman, it's reinforcing those preconceived notions,'' X user @dsisme48 wrote. In a second post, the same user questioned, 'Is she someone famous or just a DEI project?' Many other posts about the statue have included much more vulgar and racist statements. The statue, which depicts a fictitious woman wearing a plain T-shirt and pants with braided hair and her hands on her hips, is meant to have 'familiar qualities' to the everyday woman, according to a description on the Times Square website. It was also intended to serve as a contrast to other sculptures, in particular two pedestaled monuments of white men situated nearby. Even so, people took strong issue with the art, making fun of both the woman's weight and the statue itself. Right-wing X account @EndWokeness shared several posts about the statue, garnering thousands of likes and hateful comments. 'Fat black women have somehow elevated themselves to the top of the pyramid,' X user @basedalright added. 'It is considered 'Cow Tipping' when and if someone knocks this over?' Facebook user Elijah Vincent commented under a photo of the statue. 'She looks like she [is] asking for the manager…' Facebook user Virginia Archer chimed in. 'Wondering where her food stamps at,' user Mind Matt commented. Facebook poster Thomas Kshetrimayum added: 'Is that like a warning to the young girls? Like, 'if you don't eat right, you are gonna become like that'' Grounded in the Stars is set to stand in the heart of Times Square until June 17.
