New York City’s latest public art project has ignited fierce debate. A 12-foot-tall bronze statue of a fictional plus-size Black woman now towers over Times Square, drawing mockery and confusion from everyday Americans. The statue, titled Grounded in the Stars, clashes with the historic statues nearby, replacing dignified tributes with a politicized eyesore.
Taxpayer dollars funded this bizarre monument, which critics say prioritizes woke messaging over artistic merit. The statue’s exaggerated features and casual pose look cartoonish next to the heroic bronze tributes to figures like Father Francis Duffy. Instead of honoring real American heroes, activists have turned Times Square into a playground for divisive identity politics.
Social media exploded with ridicule, with conservatives comparing the statue to New York Attorney General Letitia James. Users mocked its stoic expression and mismatched proportions, calling it a symbol of forced representation. The statue’s creators claim it celebrates “cultural diversity,” but many see it as a slap in the face to timeless artistic standards.
The statue’s creator, Thomas J. Price, admits his work targets “anti-Blackness” and “marginalized bodies.” But hardworking Americans are tired of being lectured about race and identity in public spaces. Monuments should unite us, not push radical agendas that divide citizens along racial lines.
Times Square officials call this a “takeover” celebrating “underrepresented” groups. Yet the area’s permanent statues honor genuine contributors to history, not fictional characters invented to satisfy political correctness. This isn’t art—it’s propaganda disguised as social justice.
The statue’s temporary installation through June 17 raises questions about wasteful spending. Why pour resources into a project that sparks contempt instead of pride? New Yorkers deserve monuments that reflect shared values, not divisive experiments in woke engineering.
Conservatives argue this statue epitomizes the left’s obsession with rewriting history. Instead of erasing our past, we should honor it. Real diversity comes from celebrating America’s true heroes, regardless of race, not inventing new ones to fit a narrative.
The backlash proves most Americans reject this radical vision. Public art should inspire, not provoke. Until leaders prioritize unity over division, these tone-deaf displays will keep alienating the very people they claim to represent.
