An uproar over one of the most famous artworks in history, student debt cancelled, and Columbia Law School Gender Justice series continues in this edition of Bwoglines!

Happening in the World: Cecilie Hollberg, director of Galleria dell’Accademia, has issued an invitation to teachers and students of a Florida charter school after the uproar that occurred after Michelangelo’s sculpture, David, was shown in a sixth-grade art class. Parents reached out to the administration of a Tallahassee Classical School to share their frustration after they were not informed that an image of the 17 foot statue would be shown in class, they have allo pressured the Principal to resign over the incident. Florentines and experts on Renaissance art were left bewildered as The David is considered a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and a symbol of humanist values. The statue depicts the biblical David going to battle armoured only by his faith in God. Both the Mayor of Florence and Directory of Galleria dell’Accademia have commended and shown their support for the principal and teacher. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Earlier this week, Langston University, an HBCU in Oklahoma canceled more than $4.5 million in student debt helping lessen the burden of those enrolled at the school. This is the second time that the school has done this, raising its total amount of canceled debt to $9.2 Million over two years. The university is using funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which was a government program established in 2020. University officials saw the opportunity to help their 1,900 undergrad student population, many of which are first-generation, low-income college students. (CNN)

Happening in NYC: The source of a fire that broke out in December 2022 on the Staten Island Ferry, which injured 5 and forced the evacuation of over 800 passengers, was revealed to have been caused by a staffing shortage and a lack of training. The fire was pinned on a fuel leak aboard one of the three newest boats that had a “quirk” that the operating staff was not made aware of. The Coast Guard, who was conducting the preliminary investigation, reassured the city that the new boats are safe to run. (Gothamist)

Happening in Our Community: Join Professor Katherine Franke for the second lecture of her Gender Justice class at Columbia Law School. On Tuesday, March 28th from 4:20 to 6:10 pm the class will host, Ria Tabacco Mar, director of the ACLU women’s rights project for a conversation on The Frontlines of Gender Justice Nationally. This is a hybrid event that can be joined in person at Jerome Greene Hall Room 102 or via zoom. Registration is required in order to gain access to the zoom session/building.

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