🗺️ Historical context matters! In 17th Century Tottenville History Comes Alive, I explore how this community connects to broader historical movements.

This perspective transforms dates and facts into human experiences that readers can connect with emotionally.

Available here: https://www.amazon.com/Century-Tottenville-History-Comes-Alive/dp/B08WK2LD44

#Microhistory #HistoricalContext #LocalHistory #NewYorkHistory #TottenvilleHistory #CommunityStories #HistoricalNarrative

Welcome to the Ministry of Culture: Where Art Goes to Die Quietly in a Patriotically Approved Corner

Nothing screams “freedom” quite like the government telling museums which stories are too real and which artists are too brown.

In the latest installment of “Make Art Great Again,” Trump’s regime has decided that cultural institutions like the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center are just a little too independent. Can’t have artists running around making people think or, doG forbid, reflect. So out goes “The Shape of Power” exhibit for being “divisive,” and in comes a new aesthetic: Norman Rockwell, but make it autocratic.

The Smithsonian’s been told to clean house, and we all know what that means. Anything that centers race, systemic injustice, queer identity, or uncomfortable truths gets quietly repatriated to oblivion. Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center has seen its Social Impact team dismantled and its Artistic Director fired; for what? Caring too much about actual impact. Apparently, art that speaks to society is now “inappropriate.” Unless, of course, it’s glorifying flags, founding fathers, or folks who’ve never had to protest anything other than brunch prices.

We’ve seen this playbook before. It ran in Germany. It aired in Italy. It sold out stadiums in 1930s Europe. Authoritarian regimes don’t hate art—they just hate art they can’t control. And now, in 2025 America, the long knives have been replaced by executive orders and budget cuts.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a culture war. It’s a cultural purge; a forced rewriting of national memory, where history gets edited with the same grace and subtlety as a Soviet photo archive.

You might think, “Well, they’re just targeting a few exhibits or programs.” But this is death by a thousand redactions. A chilling signal to artists, curators, and institutions: Comply or be cut. Conform or be canceled (ironically, by the same people who whine about cancel culture between golf rounds and grift emails).

The real tragedy? We’re watching it happen in real time—this gutting of public arts, this sanitizing of culture—and people are still asking, “But isn’t this just about restoring balance?” Sure. If by balance you mean tipping everything into the sea and lighting it on fire.

So here’s to the brave artists who refuse to be scrubbed out of history, and to the rest of us: wake up. Because the last time governments told museums what they could show, the world got a lot darker. And no one’s commissioning murals about that. #ArtsAndCulture #Censorship #FreedomOfExpression #CulturalHeritage #MuseumLeadership #ArtsAdvocacy #HumanRights #PublicPolicy #CreativeFreedom #LeadershipInCrisis #DefendTheArts #HistoricalNarrative #SocialImpact #CivicEngagement #Smithsonian #KennedyCenter #Authoritarianism #RewritingHistory #ArtMatters #voicesthatmatter

“Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.”

William Gladstone, British Prime Minister.

Life is made up of moments that can either be remembered or overlooked.  Think back.  What do you remember?   It seems easy to recall a vacation, a birth, a graduation or a conversation because these events trigger an emotional reaction.   Lately, I want to remember more of my life, so I have decided to put more “feeling” into ordinary events – that are really, when looking back, extraordinary.

What better way to commemorate these extraordinary moments than by drinking tea. The act of drinking tea can trigger nostalgia and elevate our sensory memories. Additionally, the rich history and cultural significance of tea may also contribute to its role as a poignant reminder of meaningful events and traditions.

Today, I am having chai tea and recalling the memories that come with drinking this spicy and sweet-smelling beverage.

Chai or cha is a common word for “tea” and comes to us from Mandarin Chinese via the Silk Road. (Exciting story so far.) The chai we are most familiar with is masala chai which is spiced milk tea.  Fast forward a couple hundred centuries. Many tea and coffee houses offer chai lattes with the perfect blend of tea, milk and spices.

After reading the page turner, “For All The Tea in China” by Sarah Rose, I will never drink tea the same way again.  In my world, tea is ubiquitous; there is a ready stash in my cupboards at all times. And yet, there was a time when tea was a precious commodity reserved only for the few.  

Book Review: “For All The Tea In China”

by Sarah Rose

Sarah Rose’s “For All The Tea In China” is a historical account that sheds light on the transformative role of tea in shaping global trade and culture. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Sarah Rose takes the reader on a compelling journey following the exploits of botanist Robert Fortune, who embarks on a daring and clandestine mission to acquire the closely guarded secrets of tea production in China.

The narrative skillfully intertwines adventure, espionage, and the far-reaching impact of Robert Fortune’s actions on the global tea industry. Rose masterfully navigates the intricate dynamics of 19th-century British imperialism, Chinese resistance, and the botanical intrigue surrounding tea cultivation. I was immersed in the vivid portrayal of both the opulence and the hardships encountered during Robert Fortune’s quest.

With an insightful blend of historical detail and narrative flair, Sarah Rose’s “For All The Tea In China” explores the pivotal moments that shaped the modern tea trade.

The act of drinking tea is intricately woven into the vibrant tapestry of human history, encapsulating the spirit of travel, exploration, and discovery. With each sip, we embark on a sensorial journey intertwined with the remarkable narratives of cultures, trade, and botanical exploration. From the captivating accounts of adventurers venturing along the ancient Silk Road to the clandestine missions of botanists seeking to unravel the closely guarded secrets of tea production, the history of tea resonates with tales of daring exploits and global significance. Embracing this cherished beverage allows us to partake in an enduring history that transcends time and enriches our daily experiences.

P.S. Robert Fortune and Kew Gardens

Robert Fortune’s association with Kew Gardens primarily revolved around his extensive travels to East Asia in search of various plant species, which, as we know, included tea. His botanical expertise and exploratory ventures were instrumental in introducing diverse plant species to Kew Gardens, thereby enriching its collection and contributing to botanical knowledge in the Western world.

During his time at Kew Gardens, Robert Fortune documented and collected numerous plant specimens, showcasing his dedication to broadening the understanding of Asian flora among Western botanical institutions. His contributions to Kew Gardens significantly influenced the exchange of plant species between East Asia and the Western world, leaving a lasting impact on the field of horticulture and botanical exploration.

https://rebeccasreadingroom.ca/2024/08/19/for-all-the-tea-in-china-by-sarah-rose/

#ForAllTheTeaInChina #HistoricalNarrative #NonFiction #SarahRose

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Last week I had the absolute pleasure and honor to be able to document the Ottawa launch of the book 'The Letters: Postmarked Prejudice in Black and White'

Author Sheila White delivers a detailed presentation about struggles faced by her parents, a biracial couple from Nova Scotia during the 1940s

Her book is a captivating novel about their life and adventures as they moved throughout their life from the maritimes to Toronto. Her father William 'Billy' White, a talented musician and activist, eventually receiving the order of Canada in the 1970s.

A poignant discussion history of racism and prejudice in Canada.

https://youtu.be/qiinOLyqNQU

#BookLaunch #AuthorEvent #FamilyStory #HistoricalNarrative #CulturalHeritage #CanadianAuthors #SocialIssues #InspiringReads #RacialHistory #CanadianLiterature #DiverseVoices #BookLovers #InspirationalStories #RacialJustice #LiteraryEvent #BlackHistory #AfroMetis