Race/Related: A new ‘Cats’ revival centers marginalized people

The classic musical ditches the junkyard for queer ballroom [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~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)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0SyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0SmaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjA3NTgwJmxpPVJSJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1SUl8yMDI0MDYyMSZzdHBlPWRlZmF1bHQmdGU9MSZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMVcDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Race/Related](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3BvdGxpZ2h0L3JhY2U_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) June 21, 2024 [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTA4MDc1NCZsaT1SUiZtPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnA9UlJfMjAyNDA2MjEmc3RwZT1kZWZhdWx0JnRlPTEmbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjFXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [A person is vogue-ing on a catwalk in a yellow skirt and yellow boots. Another person is walking away in a rainbow cape. ](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xOC90aGVhdGVyL2NhdHMtYmFsbHJvb20tcmV2aXZhbC1wYWMtbnljLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” a new revival that is free of felines, runs through July 28 at Perelman Performing Arts Center in Manhattan. Dolly Faibyshev for The New York Times The reimagined Andrew Lloyd Webber musical unfolds as a ballroom competition [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvam9zaHVhLWJhcm9uZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) By [Joshua Barone](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvam9zaHVhLWJhcm9uZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Things seemed to change when the video came out. At the end of May, the Perelman Arts Center [posted a clip](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vd2F0Y2g_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnY9WXMwMHBCLU5KeHNXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) on social media of “Jellicle Cats,” the catchy, effervescent opening number from the musical “Cats.” It showed a group of queer performers catwalking in a rehearsal room before breaking apart to freely dance and vogue. One singer wore a cap winkingly topped with feline ears; another stared down the camera and twirled her ponytail with declarative swagger. This was the first real glimpse of a [new, ballroom-inspired revival of “Cats,”](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TNaHR0cHM6Ly9wYWNueWMub3JnL3doYXRzLW9uL2NhdHMtdGhlLWplbGxpY2xlLWJhbGwvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) running through July 28 at PAC NYC, as the Perelman Center in Manhattan is known. Since it was announced nearly a year earlier, the show had been a subject of skepticism and mocking humor: “Cats” was ridiculous enough, but ballroom? Hardly a mention of the production went by without a snicker. Then the “Jellicle Cats” clip went viral, and jaws dropped. Celebrities chimed in, with the comedian Ziwe saying, “Ok go off” and the filmmaker Justin Simien simply writing, “AYEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.” On TikTok, one person commented, “do I……do I suddenly want to see Cats?” [A performer in a brightly colored sweater and glasses.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xOC90aGVhdGVyL2NhdHMtYmFsbHJvb20tcmV2aXZhbC1wYWMtbnljLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Teddy Wilson Jr. as Sillabub. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lyrics describe the cats as “queens of the night” who “come out tonight.” Dolly Faibyshev for The New York Times For over four decades, “Cats” has been something of a cultural punching bag. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of poetry by T.S. Eliot, unfolding as a dance-heavy, revue-like show about cats gathering in a junkyard for their annual Jellicle Ball, has been seen as strange at best, and kitsch at worst. Its earworms have driven theater critics mad; its costumes of unitards and leg warmers are just as impossible to dislodge from your memory. Tom Hooper’s [film adaptation](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TUaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMi8xOC9tb3ZpZXMvY2F0cy1yZXZpZXcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD), from late 2019, flopped disastrously, and was jokingly referred to as a dark turning point that ushered in the pandemic. But, in [a moment of stage directors reconsidering](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wOS8yNy90aGVhdGVyL2FuZHJldy1sbG95ZC13ZWJiZXItc3Vuc2V0LWJvdWxldmFyZC1ldml0YS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~), and often reimagining, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals, such as a stark “Sunset Boulevard” [transferring to Broadway](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMy8yNS90aGVhdGVyL3NjaGVyemluZ2VyLXN1bnNldC1ib3VsZXZhcmQtYnJvYWR3YXkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) from London this fall, perhaps it is also the time for “Cats” to shake off its pop culture clichés and say something new. That, at least, is the goal of the PAC NYC production, called “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” an immersive revival that is free of felines and unfolds as a ballroom competition. As a concept, it maps onto the musical with surprising ease and heart. “Think about ‘Cats’ being street characters in a junkyard and ballroom being these historically marginalized people,” said Zhailon Levingston, the show’s co-director. “In ballroom, you have a centering of legacy and chosen family, the way cats have a tribe. Both take what’s given to them, and turn it into something beautiful.” [Read the rest of the story here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xOC90aGVhdGVyL2NhdHMtYmFsbHJvb20tcmV2aXZhbC1wYWMtbnljLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). EDITORS’ PICKS We publish many articles that touch on race. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss. [[A black-and-white photograph of Black men and women gathered around a desk at a library. Two women are seated behind a wooden counter and facing away from the camera. The others are either reading books or filling out forms. In the background are high windows and shelves of books. ] New York Public Library](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xOS9hcnRzL2hhcmxlbS1yZW5haXNzYW5jZS1saWJyYXJpYW5zLWxpYnJhcmllcy1ib29rcy1saXRlcmF0dXJlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [New York’s First Black Librarians Changed the Way We Read How the women who ran libraries during the Harlem Renaissance where they built collections and, just as important, communities of writers and readers. By Jennifer Schuessler](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xOS9hcnRzL2hhcmxlbS1yZW5haXNzYW5jZS1saWJyYXJpYW5zLWxpYnJhcmllcy1ib29rcy1saXRlcmF0dXJlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [José Urbina, in a purple shirt and gold jewelry, dances in the center, surrounded by people filming him with their cellphones.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xNS91cy9wdWxnYS1kZS1hbGFtby1mbGVhLW1hcmtldC1kYW5jZXJzLXRleGFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Not Your Average Flea Market: At La Pulga de Alamo, Stars Are Born Every weekend, a flea market in Alamo, Texas, transforms from a Latino shopping mecca into a dance floor. The locals’ colorful moves have drawn fans around the world. By Edgar Sandoval and Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xNS91cy9wdWxnYS1kZS1hbGFtby1mbGVhLW1hcmtldC1kYW5jZXJzLXRleGFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [[The tan facade of Stuyvesant High School.] Natalie Keyssar for The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDYvMTgvbnlyZWdpb24vbnljLXNwZWNpYWxpemVkLWhpZ2gtc2Nob29sLWFkbWlzc2lvbnMtYmxhY2stYW5kLWxhdGluby1zdHVkZW50cy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [More Black and Latino Students Admitted to New York’s Elite High Schools The percentage of Black and Latino students in the eight schools increased modestly to 12 percent, the highest since 2013, but still far below the overall percentage of those students in schools. By Troy Closson](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDYvMTgvbnlyZWdpb24vbnljLXNwZWNpYWxpemVkLWhpZ2gtc2Nob29sLWFkbWlzc2lvbnMtYmxhY2stYW5kLWxhdGluby1zdHVkZW50cy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [[A group of six Barbies, dressed in red, pose against a pink backdrop.] Netflix](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xOS9tb3ZpZXMvYmxhY2stYmFyYmllLWEtZG9jdW1lbnRhcnktcmV2aWV3Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [‘Black Barbie: A Documentary’ Review: Becoming the Main Character A new Netflix documentary explores what led to the release of Black Barbie in 1980, both celebrating her existence and recognizing her limitations. By Concepción de León](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xOS9tb3ZpZXMvYmxhY2stYmFyYmllLWEtZG9jdW1lbnRhcnktcmV2aWV3Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [[Article Image] Mike Kai Chen for The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xNi91cy9jYWxpZm9ybmlhLW5hdGl2ZS1hbWVyaWNhbi10cmliZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [In California, Tribal Members Are Reclaiming the ‘Land of the Flowing Water’ Several tribes in Owens Valley in the eastern Sierra Nevada see hope in small property transfers that have become part of a growing “Land Back” movement. By Jill Cowan and Mike Kai Chen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xNi91cy9jYWxpZm9ybmlhLW5hdGl2ZS1hbWVyaWNhbi10cmliZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [A man standing outdoors next to a green John Deere farm vehicle, with an American flag seen to one side. He is wearing a T-shirt with a quote by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xNy91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9ibGFjay1mYXJtZXJzLWJpZGVuLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Black Farmers in Georgia Cool to Biden, Reflecting a Bigger Challenge White farmers filed lawsuits to block a debt forgiveness initiative, but the Biden administration is still bearing the blame. By Alan Rappeport and Marilyne Moja Mwangi](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wNi8xNy91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9ibGFjay1mYXJtZXJzLWJpZGVuLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjQvMDYvMTQvYXJ0cy9tdXNpYy9iYWQtYnVubnktcmVnZ2FldG9uLXB1ZXJ0by1yaWNvLXNwYW5pc2guaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Bad Bunny and Reggaeton Have Sparked a Puerto Rican Spanish Renaissance As Bad Bunny and other Puerto Rican musical artists explode in popularity, language instructors say more people want to learn how to speak the island’s slick, swaggering version of Spanish. By Eduardo Medina, Leo Dominguez and Patricia Sulbarán](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjQvMDYvMTQvYXJ0cy9tdXNpYy9iYWQtYnVubnktcmVnZ2FldG9uLXB1ZXJ0by1yaWNvLXNwYW5pc2guaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Ad] [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0SmaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTc0MTQ5JmxpPVJSJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1SUl8yMDI0MDYyMSZzdHBlPWRlZmF1bHQmdGU9MSZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMVcDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0SmaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTc0MTQ5JmxpPVJSJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1SUl8yMDI0MDYyMSZzdHBlPWRlZmF1bHQmdGU9MSZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMVcDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Invite your friends. Invite someone to subscribe to the [Race/Related](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvcmFjZS1yZWxhdGVkP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) newsletter. Or email your thoughts and suggestions to racerelated@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our [newsletter help page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TdaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzM2MDAwMTQ4ODI2Ni1OZXdzbGV0dGVycz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) or [contact us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzExNTAxNTM4NTg4Ny1Db250YWN0LXVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Race/Related from The New York Times. To stop receiving Race/Related, [unsubscribe](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvb3B0b3V0P2VtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJm5sPXJhY2UvcmVsYXRlZCZwcm9kdWN0PVJSJnNlbmRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdG9rZW49NzNkNTkwMWE3MzA5YTI1ZTgzZWVkOTJjNjY3ZmM5OTc3ZDk5YjM3M2MzODM1YzAxNDZhOGE0MjI3OGQ0NTVlNTk4NzAyNWNkY2NmYWY1ZjY5NDM1OTg4MzBiNzBkYzA4VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, [manage your email settings](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvbWFuYWdlP2VtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJm5sPXJhY2UvcmVsYXRlZCZzZW5kX2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnRva2VuPTY3MDhjMGEyYTgwNTgyZWVkN2U3NjQxYjUxOGRlM2M0MTViNjVlMTEwZGQ3NmE2ZTc3YzU0YTQ5YTAxZDg3ZTg1M2NmOGI2YTEzMmRmZmE1NWYxYmFkYzliZWI1ZmRmNVcDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, [submit a request](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TPaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVhdGhsZXRpYy56ZW5kZXNrLmNvbS9oYy9lbi11cy9yZXF1ZXN0cy9uZXc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). [Subscribe to The Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uP2NhbXBhaWduSWQ9OVJYNzgmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~)[Get The New York Times app](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VydmljZXMvbW9iaWxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Connect with us on: [instagram](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9yYWNlcmVsYXRlZD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Change Your Email](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtL2VtYWlsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzcmZW1jPWVkaXRfcnJfMjAyNDA2MjEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTI2ODMyJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNzAxODAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~)[Privacy Policy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY29udGVudC9oZWxwL3JpZ2h0cy9wcml2YWN5L3BvbGljeS9wcml2YWN5LXBvbGljeS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM3JmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEyNjgzMiZubD1yYWNlJTJGcmVsYXRlZCZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTcwMTgwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpmdMJ7dWaxD3k2Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)[Contact Us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TOaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtYmVyY2VudGVyL2hlbHAuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)[California Notices](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHJpdmFjeS9jYWxpZm9ybmlhLW5vdGljZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zNyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ycl8yMDI0MDYyMSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMjY4MzImbmw9cmFjZSUyRnJlbGF0ZWQmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE3MDE4MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZnTCe3VmsQ95NlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [LiveIntent Logo](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0RRaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZWludGVudC5jb20vcG93ZXJlZC1ieT90ZT0xJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxVwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~)[AdChoices Logo](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRoWADCP0RRaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZWludGVudC5jb20vYWQtY2hvaWNlcz90ZT0xJm5sPXJhY2UlMkZyZWxhdGVkJmVtYz1lZGl0X3JyXzIwMjQwNjIxVwNueXRCCmZ0wnt1ZrEPeTZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018