Carole V. Bell
@cvbell.bsky.social
🇯🇲Culture critic, media & politics prof and researcher. I 💙 Art & Democracy. Writing: NPR, Boston Globe, IndieWire, LATimes, NYTimes, Washington Post, Oprah Daily, The Emancipator, Kirkus and BookPage. UNC J-School PhD. Linktr.ee/Cvbell
Pinned
30 years ago, 'Waiting to Exhale' was the blockbuster Hollywood didn't anticipate
The 1995 adaptation of Terry McMillan's novel celebrated the beauty of Black sisterhood.
www.npr.org
I had so much fun revisiting the movie Waiting to Exhale and its impact, which might be even bigger than you remember, for NPR.
30 years later, 'Waiting to Exhale' endures
www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...
30 years later, 'Waiting to Exhale' endures
www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...
Seriously?
January 3, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Seriously?
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Among the many reasons you don’t kidnap a foreign head of state at gunpoint even if you have the capability, is that it sparks consequences you can neither control nor anticipate.
January 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Among the many reasons you don’t kidnap a foreign head of state at gunpoint even if you have the capability, is that it sparks consequences you can neither control nor anticipate.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
"But Wiles conceded that attacking targets on Venezuela’s mainland would force Trump to get congressional approval. 'If he were to authorize some activity on land, then it’s war, then [we’d need] Congress.'"
- WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Nov 2, 2025 interview
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
- WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Nov 2, 2025 interview
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Trump’s Inner Circle, On the Record (Part 2 of 2)
Susie Wiles discusses the Epstein files, Pete Hegseth’s war tactics, and “retribution” against Letitia James.
www.vanityfair.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:35 PM
"But Wiles conceded that attacking targets on Venezuela’s mainland would force Trump to get congressional approval. 'If he were to authorize some activity on land, then it’s war, then [we’d need] Congress.'"
- WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Nov 2, 2025 interview
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
- WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Nov 2, 2025 interview
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
The European Union urged the adherence to international law after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier today.
EU urges respect for international law after US capture of Maduro
“We call for restraint,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said after U.S. operation to fly Maduro out of Venezuela.
www.politico.eu
January 3, 2026 at 1:39 PM
The European Union urged the adherence to international law after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier today.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
In celebration of Mamdani's first day in office, the map from our 2016 NYC atlas celebrating Queens as the most linguistically diverse place on earth. (800 languages spoken in NYC, according to NY's Endangered Language Institute, which collaborated with us on this map.
January 3, 2026 at 3:21 AM
In celebration of Mamdani's first day in office, the map from our 2016 NYC atlas celebrating Queens as the most linguistically diverse place on earth. (800 languages spoken in NYC, according to NY's Endangered Language Institute, which collaborated with us on this map.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Some updates:
CNN: The Senate Armed Services Committee was not informed in advance of any potential US military action carried out tonight in Venezuela.
CNN: The Senate Armed Services Committee was not informed in advance of any potential US military action carried out tonight in Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Some updates:
CNN: The Senate Armed Services Committee was not informed in advance of any potential US military action carried out tonight in Venezuela.
CNN: The Senate Armed Services Committee was not informed in advance of any potential US military action carried out tonight in Venezuela.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration,” the North Carolina Republican Party's communications director wrote in an email response to us. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America
Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well be...
www.propublica.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:00 AM
“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration,” the North Carolina Republican Party's communications director wrote in an email response to us. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
Smart. The Mamdani-Duwajis knew people would talk and speculate. And managed it via this blog and offbeat creative choices.
An insider’s account of NYC inaugural fashion. “You may remember that just last month I wrote here that Rama Duwaji doesn’t need a stylist to transform her because the style is already immaculate… wouldn’t it be fab if she had someone to translate her?”
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com/p/rama-duwaj...
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com/p/rama-duwaj...
What to Wear at Midnight and the Morning After (If You’re the First Lady of New York)
A Swearing-In, Styled: Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani, and What They Wore When Power Changed Hands
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Smart. The Mamdani-Duwajis knew people would talk and speculate. And managed it via this blog and offbeat creative choices.
An insider’s account of NYC inaugural fashion. “You may remember that just last month I wrote here that Rama Duwaji doesn’t need a stylist to transform her because the style is already immaculate… wouldn’t it be fab if she had someone to translate her?”
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com/p/rama-duwaj...
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com/p/rama-duwaj...
What to Wear at Midnight and the Morning After (If You’re the First Lady of New York)
A Swearing-In, Styled: Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani, and What They Wore When Power Changed Hands
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM
An insider’s account of NYC inaugural fashion. “You may remember that just last month I wrote here that Rama Duwaji doesn’t need a stylist to transform her because the style is already immaculate… wouldn’t it be fab if she had someone to translate her?”
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com/p/rama-duwaj...
brainmatterbygkj.substack.com/p/rama-duwaj...
Such a great piece of rhetoric and true in the long run. But the idea of subtle or civil opposition seems so quaint. Today’s right flaunt rudeness and incivility as a badge of honor and show of authenticity, starting at the top.
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
January 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Such a great piece of rhetoric and true in the long run. But the idea of subtle or civil opposition seems so quaint. Today’s right flaunt rudeness and incivility as a badge of honor and show of authenticity, starting at the top.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Mary Sheffield was sworn in as Detroit’s 76th mayor, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the city's 324-year history
January 1, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Mary Sheffield was sworn in as Detroit’s 76th mayor, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the city's 324-year history
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Jack Smith: “Our case was built on, frankly, Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before the party.”
Trump also had a “pattern” of rejecting information that didn’t fit his false narrative.
Trump also had a “pattern” of rejecting information that didn’t fit his false narrative.
December 31, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Jack Smith: “Our case was built on, frankly, Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before the party.”
Trump also had a “pattern” of rejecting information that didn’t fit his false narrative.
Trump also had a “pattern” of rejecting information that didn’t fit his false narrative.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Happy New Year! We love sharing these pro-book posters from the Works Projects Administration Poster Collection in the Library's Prints and Photographs Division. Of the 2,000 WPA posters known to exist, the Library of Congress's collection of more than 900 is the largest.
January 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Happy New Year! We love sharing these pro-book posters from the Works Projects Administration Poster Collection in the Library's Prints and Photographs Division. Of the 2,000 WPA posters known to exist, the Library of Congress's collection of more than 900 is the largest.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Smith: He was getting calls from people he trusts, people he relies on—and he still refused to come to the aid of the people at the Capitol. That’s very important evidence for criminal intent in our case.
December 31, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Smith: He was getting calls from people he trusts, people he relies on—and he still refused to come to the aid of the people at the Capitol. That’s very important evidence for criminal intent in our case.
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Since 2021, @ellenclegg.bsky.social and I have interviewed more than 100 local news leaders for our podcast, @whatworks-nu.bsky.social. Our latest is with Jennifer Peter, who tells us how The Marshall Project is helping to fill the local news void. whatworks.news/2025/12/23/j...
December 31, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Since 2021, @ellenclegg.bsky.social and I have interviewed more than 100 local news leaders for our podcast, @whatworks-nu.bsky.social. Our latest is with Jennifer Peter, who tells us how The Marshall Project is helping to fill the local news void. whatworks.news/2025/12/23/j...
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Literally seeking to build a regime-supporting paramilitary force of tens of thousands of people - explicitly recruiting people based on their politics
December 31, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Literally seeking to build a regime-supporting paramilitary force of tens of thousands of people - explicitly recruiting people based on their politics
Kamar is a fantastic human. Really impressed by this news.
Kamar Samuels to be superintendent of New York City public schools is outstanding news for those who still care about school integration and equality. In the face of the national attacks on civil rights and dismantling of enforcement at the U.S. DOE this pick by Mamdani sends a powerful message.
Mamdani to name Kamar Samuels as schools chancellor
The Manhattan superintendent will lead the nation’s largest public school system.
www.cityandstateny.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Kamar is a fantastic human. Really impressed by this news.
If you're thinking about year end reflections, I like these questions. I found them helfpul and thought you might enjoy them too.
[This links to a gift article from The New York Times via my account. You can read it for free without a subscription.] www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
[This links to a gift article from The New York Times via my account. You can read it for free without a subscription.] www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
7 Questions to Ask Yourself for a Happier New Year
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:08 PM
If you're thinking about year end reflections, I like these questions. I found them helfpul and thought you might enjoy them too.
[This links to a gift article from The New York Times via my account. You can read it for free without a subscription.] www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
[This links to a gift article from The New York Times via my account. You can read it for free without a subscription.] www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/w...
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
For this end-of-year round-up, GIJN brings you a selection of global highlights following a criteria that has grouped stories by prominent news topics, and assessed stories for the rigor of their methodology and the quality of execution.
gijn.org/stories/2025...
gijn.org/stories/2025...
Editor’s Pick: Best of Data Journalism from 2025
Our roundup of standout data journalism from the past year highlights projects that delve into conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Africa, that explore the rise of AI, and interrogate global…
gijn.org
December 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
For this end-of-year round-up, GIJN brings you a selection of global highlights following a criteria that has grouped stories by prominent news topics, and assessed stories for the rigor of their methodology and the quality of execution.
gijn.org/stories/2025...
gijn.org/stories/2025...
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
At this point, I don't think there's any excuse for artists concerned about the fate of American democracy to accept or honor Kennedy Center bookings. But I do find it funny that one of the only interesting things on the spring schedule is Robert Ward's operatic adaptation of Miller's The Crucible.>
December 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
At this point, I don't think there's any excuse for artists concerned about the fate of American democracy to accept or honor Kennedy Center bookings. But I do find it funny that one of the only interesting things on the spring schedule is Robert Ward's operatic adaptation of Miller's The Crucible.>
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
The Democrats putting up the biggest fight against Trump are governors:
The Biggest Dem Success Story Has Nothing to Do With D.C.
The governors are leading the fight against Trump—and making the party’s best prospects for 2028.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The Democrats putting up the biggest fight against Trump are governors:
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
This was a terrific moviegoing experience – and *that sequence* with Angela Bassett got cheers and thunderous applause
I had so much fun revisiting the movie Waiting to Exhale and its impact, which might be even bigger than you remember, for NPR.
30 years later, 'Waiting to Exhale' endures
www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...
30 years later, 'Waiting to Exhale' endures
www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...
30 years ago, 'Waiting to Exhale' was the blockbuster Hollywood didn't anticipate
The 1995 adaptation of Terry McMillan's novel celebrated the beauty of Black sisterhood.
www.npr.org
December 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This was a terrific moviegoing experience – and *that sequence* with Angela Bassett got cheers and thunderous applause
Reposted by Carole V. Bell
It seems to me many people see books as a kind of medicine you must take. And again I have to stress that spreading this idea, even obliquely, is incredibly damaging.
December 29, 2025 at 10:10 AM
It seems to me many people see books as a kind of medicine you must take. And again I have to stress that spreading this idea, even obliquely, is incredibly damaging.
Deggans on Sinners: “a successful film that is not just rooted in Black and non-white culture, but is a carefully-crafted, earnestly made love letter to it… [is]the strongest argument yet against the toxic fiction that more diversity, equity and inclusion .. is bad. open.substack.com/pub/ericdegg...
Why "Sinners" is the argument for DEI Hollywood needs
Why does Hollywood have to keep learning the lesson that authentic, creative celebrations of non-white cultures are also profitable?
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Deggans on Sinners: “a successful film that is not just rooted in Black and non-white culture, but is a carefully-crafted, earnestly made love letter to it… [is]the strongest argument yet against the toxic fiction that more diversity, equity and inclusion .. is bad. open.substack.com/pub/ericdegg...