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The Star
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
The changing politics of masks
LATELY it seems almost impossible to look at a news feed or catch up on current events in the United States and not be greeted by the picture of a man in a mask. Or rather a neck gaiter, buff or scarf made to cover the mouth and nose, along with a baseball cap or helmet to hide the crown of the head, and shades to obscure the eyes. Such are the images of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents – on the streets, in courts, at factories – rounding up individuals the agency claims are immigrants living in the country illegally (as well as, sometimes, those they say are helping them). Such are the images of ICE agents illustrating stories about new legislation introduced in Congress and in states across the country, including New York, California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, to prohibit the agents from hiding their faces while doing their jobs. And such are the images of protesters speaking out against ICE actions – or for Palestine – and obscuring their identities while doing so. Sometimes the coverings are black, sometimes they are star-spangled and sometimes they are hunter's camo, but at all times it's the mask that stands out. The mask that is at the centre of the story. The mask that has become the catalyst for a debate about whether such face coverings are a tool of intimidation or protection, of good or evil. Demonstrators rallying to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, in New York in March.— Dave Sanders/The New York Times Masks have not played this big a role in the American public discourse since 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic made them a part of everyone's life and they became a flash point for the debate over public safety and private agency, community and individuality. Then, as now, they were a symbol of the times; a bit of material that somehow embodied all the complicated, contradictory emotions associated with that period. In part, that's because they were not associated solely with that period. Just as they are not today. 'There is so much that gets loaded onto a mask,' said Darren Fisher, a senior lecturer in comic and concept art at the University for the Creative Arts in Britain. The rare accessory that is both functional and fantastical, a mask is not just a thing that covers the face. It is a multilayered repository of meaning that stretches across centuries and cultures high and low. It is a trigger for a host of associations that are much greater than the specific case at hand. Masks turn people into 'archetypes,' Fisher said. And those archetypes are rooted in history, religion, art, politics and Hollywood. 'I don't think it's a coincidence that the resurgence of the mask has coincided with a period of peak superhero,' said Angela Ndalianis, a professor of media and entertainment at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. When we see a mask, what we see depends on the stories we tell ourselves. Accountability and privacy are on a collision course that raises the stakes for the role of face-covering in modern life. — Dave Sanders/The New York Times The power of the mask People have been donning masks since the theatres of ancient Greece and Rome. There are masks in the Japanese Noh tradition. Masks play a part in a variety of shamanistic rituals. Masks are part of the legacy of Guy Fawkes and the foiling of the gunpowder plot to blow up King James I. They are also part of the romance of Zorro, the sword-wielding defender of the poor, and the mythology of the Lone Ranger. Masks are tools of bank robbers and outlaws, and they're a regular presence in horror films and a defining trope of superhero culture. They are at the heart of Halloween. Orville Peck, the country and western singer, is known for his masks. So are rappers Ayleo and Mateo Bowles. Recently Glenn Martens put every model in his couture show for Maison Margiela in a mask. In almost every case, the masks serve a dual purpose: They protect or disguise a 'real' identity and transform the person wearing the mask into something other. Masks are the means by which a character moves beyond the bounds of the physical world and the world of man. Whether that is good or bad is the essence of the debate that surrounds the mask, but either way, Ndalianis said, it represents 'power.' It is what creates Batman and Bane, Spiderman and Darth Vader. By donning a mask, the heroes (or villains) free themselves from having to pretend to be something they are not. Like human. Or moral. In this way, though a mask is nominally a disguise, it is also a means to reveal the 'true self' as opposed to the self you may have constructed for the world, said Nicola Formichetti, a stylist who has often explored the use of masks in his work with Lady Gaga. It can allow a repudiation of an identity that conforms to expectations and society. That's liberating and terrifying in equal measure because it takes away not just identity, but also accountability. In becoming something else, you suddenly have license to act in a different way. This was the function of the mask during Venetian masked balls where debauchery replaced proper behaviour for a night. It was also the basis of The Mask , the 1994 film starring Jim Carrey as a nerdy guy whose id essentially takes over when he discovers an ancient mask. The protection of the mask This narrative stew is partly why, for some people, ICE agents in masks are so frightening. It is not just because the masks tap into age-old horror movie motifs, but also because they seem to convey permission to act in ways that would otherwise be constrained. They represent a place beyond the norms, which feeds into the idea that the Trump administration and its representatives are going beyond the norms of democratic government. It is also why others may see the masked men as saviours, lawmen willing to do what their predecessors would not, or could not, to right what they believe is wrong. Either way, Ndalianis said, 'You can draw a line directly from Marvel to ICE.' Faces are how we recognise one another, as well as how we read the meaning and emotions behind words. By your face, others do know you. Thus to cover the face is to protect yourself – not just from germs, as during the pandemic or environmental disasters like wildfires and smog, but from other people's prejudices and government overreach. Masks have not played this big a role in the American public discourse since 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic made them a part of everyone's life. — Mark Abramson/The New York Times This theory of masks posits them as a beneficial shield from the ills of the world, its judgment and retribution. See, for example, the Phantom of The Phantom of the Opera , who wears a mask to hide his disfigurement, and the superheroes who hide their faces to safeguard their private identities. It also dramatises the fact that ideas about accountability and privacy are on a collision course that has raised the stakes about the role of the mask in modern life even more. All of this is only going to become more confusing with the widespread use of plastic surgery, artificial intelligence, filters and other digital tools that have popularised the ability to transform the theoretically unmasked face into – yes – its own kind of mask. Later this month, a new production of The Phantom of the Opera will open in New York. Entitled Masquerade , it is conceived as a piece of immersive theatre in which all attendees will be asked to don a mask, many of them created by Formichetti, who has been named to the peculiarly contemporary role of the production's 'director of masks.' You can bring your own or use one of the masks provided for you, but either way, everyone will have the experience of trying one on. — ©2025 The New York Times Company This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
Trump-Themed Restaurant Owner Faces Deportation
If you haven't heard, there is a Donald Trump-themed restaurant in Houston, Texas called "Trump Burger." The popular Texas chain sells hamburgers with the letters "T-R-U-M-P" etched into the buns... They have detailed artwork of Trump hanging on the walls... Oh, AND their menu includes items like the "Melania Crispy Chicken" and the "Barron Crispy Grilled," as well as a promise to "Make Burgers Great Again." Well, the "Trump Burger" has recently gone viral due to its owner being arrested by ICE for allegedly overstaying his visa. Roland Mehrez Beainy, the 28-year-old Houston "Trump Burger" owner, was reportedly arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly failing to depart the US last year after arriving in 2019 on a non-immigrant visitor visa from Lebanon. An ICE spokesperson said this in a statement about Beainy's arrest: "Despite false claims to the contrary, Roland Mehrez Beainy does not have any immigration benefits that prevented his arrest or removal from the United States. Beainy is a 28-year-old illegal alien from Lebanon who entered the United States in 2019 as a non-immigrant visitor, but he failed to depart by Feb. 12, 2024, as required under the terms of his admission." "ICE officers arrested him on May 16, 2025, and he was placed into immigration proceedings. On June 13, an immigration judge granted his request for bond while he undergoes his proceedings." "Under the current administration, ICE is committed to restore integrity to our nation's immigration system by holding all individuals accountable who illegally enter the country or overstay the terms of their admission. This is true regardless of what restaurant you own or political beliefs you might have." While awaiting his immigration court hearing set for November, Beainy has denied the charges, telling Chron, a Houston news website: "Ninety percent of the shit they're saying is not true." Obviously, the internet had some thoughts on this one, with multiple people comparing the news to a South Park episode... "South Park Creators rn: WRITE THAT DOWN WRITE THAT DOWN.." "They really thought it would affect everyone else but themselves," this person wrote. And finally, this person pointed out that Trump doesn't seem to care about his own supporters... What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
1,700 Indians deported under Trump 2.0; Govt flags treatment of returnees, visa delays for students
The United States (US) government has deported more than 1,700 Indian nationals since Donald Trump stormed back to power. The Indian government said it has raised concerns with Washington over the treatment of those sent back and delays faced by students in securing student visas. Among those deported, 1,562 were men and 141 women. The highest number of deportees came from Punjab (620), followed by Haryana (604) and Gujarat (245). Providing further details on the mode of transportation, the Minister said that 333 Indian nationals were deported via Customs and Border Protection (Military) flights on February 5, 15, and 16. Three charter flights operated by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried 231 deportees in March and June, while 300 were sent back through Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charter flights in July. Commercial flights from the US brought back 767 deportees. Another 72 deportees, who were stranded in Panama, arrived individually or in small groups when their flight tickets were arranged. From 2009 to 2024, a total of 15,564 Indian nationals have been deported by the US through chartered and commercial flights, according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB). Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the US has ramped up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, a move that has been scrutinised by the public and governments alike, particularly over the treatment of deportees. The use of shackles on deportees, especially on women and children, has been taken up with the US, alongside concerns with regard to religious and cultural sensitivities, including the use of turbans and dietary preferences, the Minister said. Since July, students aspiring to pursue higher education in the US have flagged difficulties in obtaining visa appointments — another issue DMK's Karunanidhi raised. MoS External Affairs responded that the Indian government has engaged with the US authorities over the matter, and the latter have acknowledged that additional security requirements for student visas have reduced the capacity of the US Embassy and Consulates in India to process visas. However, the authorities said the student visa appointments are now open. For the J-1 physician category, the US has launched a software-based solution to prioritise appointments, and students have subsequently got appointments. The US Embassy is working to open a limited number of additional student visa appointments through the end of August, before the start of the new academic year, he said. The embassy is developing a student visa fact sheet with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help reduce uncertainty around delayed appointments. The US Department of State tightened vetting procedures after a series of student protests in premier universities over the Israel-Hamas conflict, which rattled the administration. The matter related to deportation gained further traction in the media in May, after the Trump administration came at loggerheads with the university authorities over these protests, which it claims were 'anti-semitic,' while taking measures to restrain their ability to enrol international students. As a result, the State Department issued a notification in June, saying it would enhance vetting procedures and review social media profiles of student visa applicants, requiring them to make their profiles public. The minister said the Centre remains engaged with US authorities to promote 'mutually advantageous and secure mobility frameworks that allow for streamlining avenues for legal mobility of students and professionals, and facilitating short-term tourist and business travel.' According to an Open Doors 2024 report, funded by the US Department of State, Indians surpassed the Chinese as the largest cohort of international students in the US. Last year, the MEA said 48 Indian students were deported from the US over a three-year period. Relations between Washington and New Delhi are facing strains after Trump doubled tariffs levied on imports to 50 per cent ostensibly over India's import of Russian oil. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi was among the all-party delegation sent as part of India's global outreach against terrorism in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. The MP from Thoothukkudi led the delegation that visited Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Florida updated agreement on handling detainees at 'Alligator Alcatraz,' but a month after it opened
ORLANDO, Fla. — More than a month after Florida opened 'Alligator Alcatraz' in the Everglades, the state and ICE signed an updated agreement spelling out how state corrections officials should handle federal immigration detainees at non-correctional facilities. The addendum signed this week updated a 2020 agreement between the Florida Department of Corrections and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that had explained how to handle federal immigration detainees at correctional facilities, but not at places like this new detention center. The update was made public Thursday in court papers in response to a civil rights lawsuit claiming that 'Alligator Alcatraz' detainees have been unable to meet with attorneys or get access to immigration courts.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From hero to zero: 'Superman' star Dean Cain slammed for joining ICE
From hero to zero, that's the fate of Dean Cain, seen here with Teri Hatcher, who played Lois Lane in the 'Superman' television series. Image: File From swooping across the skies to save the world, Superman has now traded his red cape and underpants worn on the outside for ICE riot gear in a move that has left his fans gobsmacked and let down. Dean Cain, known for his role as "Superman" in the 1990s television series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman", has revealed that he is joining US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), telling "Fox News" that it was "the right thing" to do. United States President Donald Trump has vowed to ramp up his deportation of immigrants to one million per year, sparking protests in cities across the US over raids his critics deem unlawful. Within hours of posting an ICE recruitment video on social media, Cain's account "went crazy", prompting him to sign up himself. In the interview on Wednesday, the 59-year-old actor shared: "I'm actually a sworn deputy sheriff and a reserve police officer. I wasn't part of ICE, but once I put that out there, and you put a little blurb on your show, it went crazy." He further told the outlet that the country was built on "patriots stepping up" and that, whether it was popular or not, "I truly believe this is the right thing". But fans of the TV series felt his move was inadvised, saying that he'd fallen from hero to zero. "Reddit" readers had a field day poking fun at the actor, with one posting: "Fake tough guy becomes fake tough guy again." Another wrote: "He thought they said 'ice cream', so he signed up." Quoting from Cain's post, where he said: "So, if you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America's streets. I like that. I voted for that", jamiestar9 retorted: "Really? The worst of the worst? That's cool if true. "But from here, it seems ICE is all about being cruel to workers with no criminal record. And arresting kids with cancer." A five-story replica of a stamp of Superman in 1998 in Cleveland, home of the superhero's creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, but Dean Cain who played the superhero back then is in trouble with his fans. Image: AP Photo/Tony Dejak
