GOVERNMENT
ROUND UP More from the end of 2021 we want to address New York elects its next mayor in off year races—when there is no state or federal election. After the city’s first ranked choice primary and months of hearing elections are stolen, it seemed like no one showed up to vote at the polling site I worked November 3. Sliwa had a lot of voters and some of our city council races were really tight, but I think the Sliwa yard sign in a trash car during early voting was a pretty clear forecast for how things would go. His “please vote” signs were all over the neighborhood in places that hopefully celebrated Sesame Street’s newest puppet. But “we” also voted in a Representative in D.C. who might not support books about Ruby Bridges in classrooms— she goes on TV to defend ignoring the insurrection (even though her contact page warns threatening calls will be prosecuted to the fullest extent).
NOTICEABLE America’s first woman president took office briefly in 2021. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill will not take credit for baking that cake behind her. The Starbucks near the Freedom Tower wants you to never forget 9/11 just in case seeing all the signs for “One World Trade Center” have you thinking maybe only one tower fell. And the Today Show snuck in a disclaimer to say, “Taiwan is self-governed” but also highlight it as part of China when identifying where in the world their Beijing correspondent is.
December 2021 • Art
Department Weekly
31
