The Changing Politics of Masks

New York Times

2 days ago

Lately it seems almost impossible to look at a news feed or catch up on current events and not be greeted by the picture of a man in a mask.
Or rather a neck gaiter, buff or scarf made to cover the mouth and nose, along with a baseball cap or helmet to hide the crown of the head, and shades to obscure the eyes.
Such are the images of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — on the streets, in courts, at factories — rounding up individuals the agency claims are undocumented immigrants (as well as, sometimes, those they say are helping them).
Such are the images of ICE agents illustrating stories about new legislation introduced in Congress and in states across the country, including New York, California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, to prohibit the agents from hiding their faces while doing their jobs. And such are the images of protesters speaking out against ICE actions — or for Palestine — and obscuring their identities while doing so.
Sometimes the coverings are black, sometimes they are star-spangled and sometimes they are hunter's camo, but at all times it's the mask that stands out. The mask that is at the center of the story. The mask that has become the catalyst for a debate about whether such face coverings are a tool of intimidation or protection, of good or evil.
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