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New York City – (Special to ZennieReport.com) – The video at YouTube.com/zennie62 is called “New Times Square Statue Of Black Woman: Many Think It’s Leticia James But The Truth Isn’t Far Off”, and has received a number of negative and racist comments from folks who do not use their real names. But it’s important to look at the words of Thomas J. Price, the creator of the sculpture called Grounded in the Stars, and posted at the website for the creation, for guidance:
“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. 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 Serieswill instigate meaningful connections and bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity.” — Thomas J Price
A fictionalized character constructed from images, observations, and open calls spanning between Los Angeles and London, the young woman depicted in Grounded in the Stars carries familiar qualities, from her stance and countenance to her everyday clothing. In her depiction, one recognizes a shared humanity, yet the contrapposto pose of her body and the ease of her stance is a subtle nod to Michelangelo’s David. Through scale, materiality, and posture, Grounded in the Starsdisrupts traditional ideas around what defines a triumphant figure and challenges who should be rendered immortal through monumentalization.
Installed at ground level on a wide low base, the work invites engagement with the hundreds of thousands of people who traverse the plazas each day, the woman in Grounded in the Stars cuts a stark contrast to the pedestaled permanent monuments — both white, both men — which bookend Duffy Square, while embodying a quiet gravity and grandeur. In a culture that increasingly encourages a faster pace, Grounded in the Stars is an introspective meditation on humanity. Price’s work offers viewers a unique opportunity to experience Times Square in a new light, and share in a moment of personal reflection and empathy amidst the hyperactivity of the district.
Support for Grounded in the Stars is provided in part by the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, Morgan Stanley, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and additional in-kind support from the Times Square Edition Hotel.
Mainstream Media Takes Racist View Of Grounded in the Stars Calls It “Woke” Just Because Subject Is Black Woman
Daily Mail author Lauren Acton-Taylor and the publication’s editor called it “Woke” and in this title; “Woke new statue in Times Square sparks instant mockery”. Then, she posts this rather dreadful entry::
Yet, the statue has sparked online mockery as it’s ‘woke’ messaging is dragged.
One user on X wrote: ‘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.’
Woke new statue in Times Square sparks instant mockery
By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 20:31 EDT, 7 May 2025 | Updated: 20:34 EDT, 7 May 2025
A new bronze statue in Times Square that was meant to combat racism received instant mockery for being ‘obnoxious’ and ‘reinforcing stereotypes’ about women of color.
The statue, Grounded in the Stars by Thomas J Price, is a 12-foot tall woman intended to be a ‘stark contrast’ of two statues in Duffy Square of Father Francis Duffy and George M. Cohan.
‘In a culture that increasingly encourages a faster pace, Grounded in the Stars is an introspective meditation on humanity,’ the artist website said.
The work was created with the idea of ‘disrupting traditional ideas’ of what a ‘triumphant figure and challeYet, the statue has sparked online mockery as it’s ‘woke’ messaging is dragged.
One user on X wrote: ‘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.’
The statue, Grounded in the Stars by Thomas J Price, is a 12-foot tall woman intended to be a ‘stark contrast’ of two statues in Duffy Square of Father Francis Duffy and George C. Cohan
The work was created with the idea of ‘disrupting traditional ideas’ of what a ‘triumphant figure and challenges’ should be defined as. The statue depicts a women in a plain t-shirt and pants, with braided hair, an expressionless face and her hands resting on her hips.
Countering Daily Mail Racism Toward Times Square Sculpture Of Black Woman
Lauren went through Twitter and picked out the negative racist views. So, here are the positive tweets you did not see in the Daily Mail:
Thomas J. Price The Creator Of Times Square Sculpture Of Black Woman Has Exposed American Racism
Well, from this article here at ZennieReport.com, it’s obvious that Tom Price who made the 12-foot-tall sculpture of a black woman and that is placed majestically in the middle of Times Square, has exposed people who would say they’re not racist as racist. It’s clear we have a lot of work to do, and really the culprit is the “mainstream media” of today.
For organizations like The Daily Mail to hire writers and editors that throw-up racism and racist content at the drop of a hat makes me wonder why they’re even allowed to have an online presence. But, their work is a reminder that this is a democracy, and we all have a say in subjects like The Times Square Sculpture.
We need a well-financed black media in America. From this, it’s clear that does not exist. Also why does Google allow these organizations to have content like what they wrote appear in search?
Stay tuned.
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