The recent social media posts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have raised eyebrows and sparked controversy due to their troubling content. The first post featured John Gast’s 1872 painting “American Progress,” a piece that glorifies Manifest Destiny and westward expansion at the expense of Indigenous peoples. The painting depicts a blonde, blue-eyed figure of Progress moving towards the west, with white settlers following behind while Indigenous people flee into darkness. The DHS captioned the post with “A Heritage to be proud of, a Homeland worth Defending,” prompting criticism for glorifying colonial propaganda and genocide.
The second controversial post by DHS showcased Morgan Weistling’s 2020 painting “A Prayer for a New Life,” depicting a settler couple with a newborn child in a Conestoga wagon, set against a western landscape devoid of Indigenous presence. The caption “Remember your Homeland’s Heritage” led to speculation about potential White supremacist connotations, further fueling outrage over the glorification of settler colonialism and erasure of Indigenous history.
The DHS’s choice to feature these paintings on their social media platforms has been met with strong backlash, with many pointing out the insensitive and harmful nature of the posts. The fact that both paintings depict a whitewashed version of American history, romanticizing settler colonialism while ignoring the violent displacement and genocide of Indigenous peoples, is deeply troubling.
While artists like Weistling have distanced themselves from the DHS’s use of their work, the larger issue of promoting harmful narratives and ideologies through art remains a concern. The appropriation of art to further political agendas, especially those rooted in racism and colonialism, underscores the need for a more nuanced and inclusive representation of history and culture in public discourse.
As discussions around these posts continue to unfold, it is clear that art can be a powerful tool for shaping narratives and influencing perceptions. By critically engaging with the messages conveyed through art, we can challenge harmful stereotypes and work towards a more just and equitable society. The painting “A Prayer for a New Life” elicits a comparison to Emanuel Leutze’s monumental mural “Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way,” which was unveiled in Congress in 1861. Leutze’s work depicted the settling of the Western frontier by rugged pioneers, completely devoid of Indigenous people. Ironically, just three years after the mural was revealed, the 3rd Colorado Cavalry perpetrated the Sand Creek Massacre, killing hundreds of Cheyenne and Arapaho people, mostly women and children. This act of violence starkly contrasted with the idealized vision of Manifest Destiny portrayed in Leutze’s mural.
The parallels between American expansionism and Nazi ideology are chillingly evident in historical accounts. Hitler himself praised America for its progress towards establishing a racist order, drawing inspiration from American laws that discriminated against Indigenous populations and African Americans. The concept of “Lebensraum,” or living space, mirrored the American ideal of Manifest Destiny, with both ideologies justifying territorial expansion through violence and subjugation of marginalized groups.
Artists like Werner Peiner, a painter of the Third Reich, created works that celebrated notions of German superiority and territorial expansion. His painting “German Soil” depicts a Teutonic farmer tilling his fields under an ominous sky, symbolizing the Reich’s eastward expansion. Peiner’s art, like Leutze’s, glorified the idea of providential ownership of land and the importance of blood and soil in defining national identity.
Nazi propaganda also promoted the idealized image of the traditional family unit, emphasizing the importance of lineage and racial purity. Artists like Adolf Wessel portrayed Aryan families as the epitome of Nazi ideals, reflecting the same connection between family, land, and nation that was glorified in American art of the 19th century. These artworks served as tools of propaganda, reinforcing the narrative of racial superiority and territorial conquest that underpinned both American expansionism and Nazi ideology. The concept of citizenship has long been tied to the idea of belonging to a particular land and people. Nazi theorist Richard Walther Darré believed that the German soul was rooted in agriculture, while Vice President JD Vance recently emphasized the importance of being from a specific place with a distinct set of beliefs and way of life.
This notion of citizenship as a reflection of one’s connection to a specific land and community has been used to promote dangerous ideologies throughout history. The sexualization of White supremacist ideals, as seen in Leopold Schmutzler’s painting “Working Maidens,” highlights the disturbing trend of associating national identity with a defined racial type.
In contemporary society, fascist ideologies have become increasingly mainstream, with even advertisements like the controversial American Eagle ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This normalization of fascist ideals is a troubling development that requires vigilant resistance.
The dark history of genocide, both in Europe and the Americas, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of dehumanizing and othering marginalized communities. The current expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in the United States, along with the country’s support of atrocities like the genocide in Gaza, underscores the urgent need for resistance against oppressive systems.
Artistic resistance, as exemplified by Native-American artist Charles Hilliard’s reinterpretation of “American Progress” in his piece “Reversing Manifest Destiny,” offers a powerful alternative narrative. By envisioning a future where Indigenous symbols replace colonial icons and ecological devastation is reversed, Hilliard challenges us to imagine a better world and strive towards creating it.
In a time where history threatens to repeat itself, it is crucial to confront and dismantle oppressive systems through both material and aesthetic means. By embracing diverse perspectives and reimagining traditional narratives, we can work towards a more inclusive and just society for all. The advancement of technology has revolutionized many aspects of our lives, including how we communicate, work, and access information. One area that has seen significant changes due to technology is the way we consume news. Traditional forms of media, such as newspapers and television, have been supplemented by online news sources and social media platforms. This shift has brought about both positive and negative impacts on the way we receive and interpret news.
One of the most obvious benefits of technology in news consumption is the convenience and accessibility it provides. With just a few clicks, we can access a wide range of news sources from around the world at any time of the day. This allows us to stay informed about current events and developments in real-time, no matter where we are. Additionally, online news platforms often offer multimedia content, such as videos and interactive graphics, that enhance our understanding of complex issues.
Social media platforms have also played a significant role in changing the way we consume news. Many people now rely on platforms like Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on the latest news stories and trends. While social media can provide a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, it also has its drawbacks. The spread of fake news and misinformation on social media has become a major concern, with many people struggling to discern between credible sources and unreliable sources.
Another impact of technology on news consumption is the rise of personalized news feeds. Algorithms used by online platforms tailor news content based on our browsing history and preferences, creating a filter bubble that may limit our exposure to diverse viewpoints. This can lead to echo chambers where we are only exposed to information that aligns with our existing beliefs, reinforcing our biases and potentially distorting our understanding of the world.
Despite these challenges, technology has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we consume news, offering unparalleled access to information and fostering a more interconnected global community. As we continue to navigate the digital landscape of news consumption, it is important to be vigilant about the sources we rely on and to seek out diverse perspectives to ensure a well-rounded understanding of the world around us.
