Hidden - Pete's Newsletter - Issue #26
Books of the Week
In Age of Ambition, Evan Osnos gives us an entertaining and extensive view into the rise of China during the past 30 years. The current American lense of China tends to skew towards its economic growth. This book shares a fuller picture, including oppressive censorship, government controlled media and ongoing human rights abuses.
As someone who has only known a world of considerable freedom, it is eye-opening to better understand the systems in which billions of people live.
This is increasingly relevant given the United States' current direction, exemplified by its recent drop in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index (currently 45 out of 180 countries).
Despite the dark clouds, Age of Ambition is an inspiring and enjoyable read.
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Fan boy Rob Sheffield tells the story of The Beatles and their everlasting popularity. He shares many intimate never-before-told tales. Check it out.
Song of the Week
On a related note, this is the best Beatles cover song ever.
Art Project of the Week
I spent much of the past month traveling behind the former Iron Curtain while watching the World Cup broadcast from Russia.
During these travels, I visited many sights and museums that told stories of destruction in Central Europe, first from Fascism and then from decades of Authoritarian Communist rule.
In Budapest, we toured The House of Terror Museum where we learned of Russian propaganda, censorship, intimidation, murder.
That evening I flipped on the TV to the World Cup and alongside most of the world— turned a blind eye to the Russian government's hostile actions against the values of liberty outlined in the first amendment.
And then, the next day, I came across The Hidden Flag. An art project by six LGBT activists. I was shocked to learn that the rainbow flag is illegal in Russia but thrilled to see the activist's approach to bringing attention to this issue.
...there are still countries in which homosexuality is persecuted, sometimes even by jail sentences, and in which the rainbow flag is forbidden. Russia is one of these countries. Because of this, we have taken advantage of the fact the country is hosting the World Cup at the same time as Pride Month, to denounce their behaviour and take the rainbow flag to the streets of Russia.
How? In a way that no one would ever suspect. Football shirts. Spain, The Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. Six countries. Six brave LGBT activists, that together, form the rainbow flag that toured around iconic sites in Russia, traveling to every corner to fight against a struggle that will never be silenced.
6 activistas de 6 países distintos cuelan la bandera arcoíris en pleno Mundial de Rusia.
Photos of the Week
Last but not least, some photos from our recent travels across Central Europe and Norway.