If Congress won’t stop Trump, the artistic community must speak out

To the editor: In light of our autocrat-in-chief’s name change at the Kennedy Center, I implore Gianandrea Noseda, music director of the National Symphony Orchestra, and Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera, to loudly condemn this move and argue that arts institutions must resist the intrusion of political whims (“The Kennedy Center board of directors unanimously voted to rename the venue the Trump Kennedy Center.” December 18).

As a member of the Los Angeles Opera’s musical staff, I had the opportunity to work with both of these individuals; They wanted respect for their superior craft and appeared to be honest people.

If Congress does not abandon its duty to oversee oversight, we need those with the appropriate platform to take a stand.

Mark Robson, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: The current occupant of the White House is determined to leave his mark on everything. He renovated the Community Center, essentially turning it into a mirror image of Mar-a-Lago. to name a peace institute Whoever destroyed the board and staff, this will never end. Now the Kennedy Center will add his name to the venue. So, did anyone have any doubts that Trump’s name would come first?

And we still have it “Ark de Trump” to wait impatiently. And consider the additional naming possibilities in the coming years; Maybe the Trump-Lincoln Memorial?

Probably the most logical name change would be for the building that houses the Supreme Court, especially since conservative justices have failed to impose any limits on its executive powers.

Janet Cerswell, Rancho Cucamonga

This story first appeared on: Los Angeles Times.