Y'all aren't gonna like me, but reading is a privilege. You need free time, the education, the ability, access to books, etc. But we should be helping each other access books however we can and sharing info and stories in a number of mediums.

Organizers who want their community to be literate or want them to be access certain information should get to know what their community's access needs are around that and what kind of media is most convenient for them to engage in, things like that.

And you'd likely be surprised how many people really struggle with books. Many people could be given far more access to books in various ways and some may simply not be able to read and that's ok. Don't value people on their abilities or how much they can read, but give people...

as much access as possible to stories and information they may be interested in.

It is a really jarring moment to be a historian. To know what might be coming is alarming. To realize that no one around you sees it or acknowledges it is a weird place to be in. Its like time traveling without time traveling. 1/8

I study the 19th century and the 2020s look a lot like 1820s. Frequent epidemics? Check. Inflation? Check. Xenophobia and deportation schemes? Check. Womens rights losses? Check. Rampant backlash against womens economic freedoms and jobs outside the home? Check. 2/8

Growth of carceral facilities? Check. Legislation to forcibly institutionalize disabled people? Check. Targeted attacks on Indigenous peoples? Check. Extreme religious fervor? Check. Efforts to shape public school curriculum with religious rhetoric? Check. Tariffs? Check. 3/8

The antebellum era was a time of progress, but it was also a time fuelled by hate. Slavery fuelled the economy, and antislavery efforts were not very radical on the whole. Hatred against immigrants was widespread and poverty was extensive. 4/8

Everything we are seeing right now happened in the early 1800s. And these choices were fuelled by white supremacy, misogyny, and xenophobia. I really wish more people understood that we've been here and done this. Life only got better for those who actively oppressed others. 5/8

Its time to learn from that history if you havent already. We cannot go back to that. For anyone despairing, its also time to learn from the radical activists who shaped resistance. 19th century activists didnt lose hope, we cannot lose hope either. 6/8

Abolitionists, womens rights organizers, workers rights unions, disability rights orgs, and pro-immigration orgs did the work under far worse circumstances with very little global solidarity. We have better tools, connections, and resources. 7/8

If youre in despair, pick up a history book. Before every win for human rights came a fight for it. We are now a part of that fight. We are not alone. We have all of these histories to guide us. 8/8

Tamika Palmer says she can finally breathe after four years of seeking justice for her daughter, Breonna Taylor. With a guilty verdict for former LMPD detective Brett Hankison on civil rights charges, Palmer feels a “new-found purpose" We are so sorry it took so long, Bre. 🙏🏿

People have been asking for book recs - I will make a google sheet next week with some recs! This weekend I am resting, spending time in nature, and making crafts. The work to protect human rights never stops - carve out rest when/where you can.

I don’t know where the dance world would be without Judith Jamison. Alvin Ailey made “Cry” specially for her & all Black Women. Her legacy & what she brought to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as a dancer & director changed culture as we know it.

Rest in eternal grace Judith Jamison 🕊️

What got elected

One of those things it feels like you might hear about 100 times in the next year

This 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

I spent $10 so I could share the list with you guys for free because this is trifling. Good luck!