Alfred Martin
@alfredmartin.bsky.social
Detroit native. Associate Professor and Chair of Cinematic Arts at U of Miami. Author of The Generic Closet, Fandom for Us, by Us, and editor of Rolling.
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Alfred Martin
@alfredmartin.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Hi new followers!
For those who don’t know me, I’m a media studies scholar at U of Miami. I study Blackness, media industries, and audiences/fandoms. I’ve written two books about that. I’m currently working on a circuit of media study of the 1978 film THE WIZ.
For those who don’t know me, I’m a media studies scholar at U of Miami. I study Blackness, media industries, and audiences/fandoms. I’ve written two books about that. I’m currently working on a circuit of media study of the 1978 film THE WIZ.
Reposted by Alfred Martin
SIG members, don't forget that our event with @alfredmartin.bsky.social is a week from today. Al will be talking about his new book, FANDOM FOR US, BY US. Please register here to get the Zoom link: tinyurl.com/fandomforus
November 7, 2025 at 9:16 PM
SIG members, don't forget that our event with @alfredmartin.bsky.social is a week from today. Al will be talking about his new book, FANDOM FOR US, BY US. Please register here to get the Zoom link: tinyurl.com/fandomforus
Lukewarm take: My least favorite academic writing tic is, without question, “the ways in which.”
November 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Lukewarm take: My least favorite academic writing tic is, without question, “the ways in which.”
Reposted by Alfred Martin
Everyone’s always like “Uncle Phil this, Danny Tanner that," meanwhile Carl Winslow was out here holding Chicago together while a teenage inventor literally destroyed his house every week. Give that man his flowers.
November 3, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Everyone’s always like “Uncle Phil this, Danny Tanner that," meanwhile Carl Winslow was out here holding Chicago together while a teenage inventor literally destroyed his house every week. Give that man his flowers.
This a deeply disappointing “take” and headline from NPR…
Former N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a long list of accomplishments, many of them progressive. In the race for New York City mayor, that experience hasn't given him the boost he wanted. n.pr/49uczOs
Andrew Cuomo fights for his political life and his version of the Democratic Party
Former N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a long list of accomplishments, many of them progressive. In the race for New York City mayor, that experience hasn't given him the boost he wanted.
n.pr
November 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM
This a deeply disappointing “take” and headline from NPR…
Hot take: the opposition to drag has nothing to do w/drag. It has EVERYTHING to do w/the queers having seized the means of drag production. So, rather than heterosexual men getting rich playing dress up, (mostly) gay men and trans folks are getting rich doing it. THAT is why they’re mad.
November 3, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Hot take: the opposition to drag has nothing to do w/drag. It has EVERYTHING to do w/the queers having seized the means of drag production. So, rather than heterosexual men getting rich playing dress up, (mostly) gay men and trans folks are getting rich doing it. THAT is why they’re mad.
Reposted by Alfred Martin
People don’t know what the federal government is doing in Chicago. Share this article far and wide. Not just here but to your friends and family elsewhere
'We're not a violent city': Chicago locals take on ICE block-by-block reut.rs/4qDiyGV
'We're not a violent city': Chicago locals take on ICE block-by-block
The immigration agents' tear gas grenades clinked and then exploded against the concrete, shrouding the block in plumes of white gas. The dozen or so residents at the scene only screamed louder.
reut.rs
November 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
People don’t know what the federal government is doing in Chicago. Share this article far and wide. Not just here but to your friends and family elsewhere
Reposted by Alfred Martin
In Portland, Oregon, masked ICE GOONS abducted and vanished US citizen Gonzalo Catalan last week. Tragically, his family remains unaware of his whereabouts and has not received any communication from him as of today.
October 29, 2025 at 1:05 AM
In Portland, Oregon, masked ICE GOONS abducted and vanished US citizen Gonzalo Catalan last week. Tragically, his family remains unaware of his whereabouts and has not received any communication from him as of today.
Explain to me, like I’m a 5-year-old how the USDA can tell stores under capitalism how to price their products. Am I missing something (other than the innate cruelty)?
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 2, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Explain to me, like I’m a 5-year-old how the USDA can tell stores under capitalism how to price their products. Am I missing something (other than the innate cruelty)?
Reposted by Alfred Martin
ICE shot an American citizen and food bank worker who tried to block them arresting an immigrant by pulling his car in front of them.
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
November 2, 2025 at 6:54 PM
ICE shot an American citizen and food bank worker who tried to block them arresting an immigrant by pulling his car in front of them.
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
After being released from hospital: "He is now facing charges for assault on a federal officer."
www.calonews.com/featured-top...
Things I miss: Black celebrities (like Ali, Baldwin, Angelou, Morrison, Kitt, etc.) used their enormous platforms to really demonstrate that they were both not necessarily “the people” because they were celebrities in some way, but also with “the people.”
November 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Things I miss: Black celebrities (like Ali, Baldwin, Angelou, Morrison, Kitt, etc.) used their enormous platforms to really demonstrate that they were both not necessarily “the people” because they were celebrities in some way, but also with “the people.”
Reposted by Alfred Martin
arXiv will no longer accept review articles and position papers unless they have been accepted at a journal or a conference and complete successful peer review.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
Attention Authors: Updated Practice for Review Articles and Position Papers in arXiv CS Category – arXiv blog
blog.arxiv.org
November 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM
arXiv will no longer accept review articles and position papers unless they have been accepted at a journal or a conference and complete successful peer review.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
But what about ACTUAL health? We get so obsessed with the “visual” (also see: representation matters) that we don’t check under the hood. I had a friend who was just over 50, went to the gym daily, and died of a sudden heart attack. The visual is not always an indicator of being “good” health wise.
The Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index shows that GLP-1 weight loss drugs are having an effect: The U.S. obesity rate is at 37%, down from 39.9%.
Weight loss drugs are bringing down the country's obesity rate, a survey shows
The Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index shows that GLP-1 weight loss drugs are having an effect: The U.S. obesity rate is at 37%, down from 39.9%.
n.pr
November 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
But what about ACTUAL health? We get so obsessed with the “visual” (also see: representation matters) that we don’t check under the hood. I had a friend who was just over 50, went to the gym daily, and died of a sudden heart attack. The visual is not always an indicator of being “good” health wise.
Things I “love” about the western world: The inability to understand that class warfare and hostility to those not born privileged results in folks not wanting to have kids.
Family size around the world is dropping. That choice by couples is triggering a population shift that's sending shock waves through economies.
People are having fewer kids. Their choice is transforming the world's economy
Family size around the world is dropping. That choice by couples is triggering a population shift that's sending shock waves through economies.
n.pr
November 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Things I “love” about the western world: The inability to understand that class warfare and hostility to those not born privileged results in folks not wanting to have kids.
I’m watching @abbottelementary.bsky.social and when someone (Janine?) said, “I’m April tired and it’s October” that shit hit. HARD!
November 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I’m watching @abbottelementary.bsky.social and when someone (Janine?) said, “I’m April tired and it’s October” that shit hit. HARD!
Reposted by Alfred Martin
102nd: @alfredmartin.bsky.social outstanding book Fandom for Us By Us a must read for media scholars and those in fan studies. Lively, informative and grounded in interviews and personal experiences the book will reshape the fields and how we think of black audiences. #booksky
September 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
102nd: @alfredmartin.bsky.social outstanding book Fandom for Us By Us a must read for media scholars and those in fan studies. Lively, informative and grounded in interviews and personal experiences the book will reshape the fields and how we think of black audiences. #booksky
Reposted by Alfred Martin
Now available: @alfredmartin.bsky.social and Taylor Cole Miller discussing The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai on @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social podcast.
newbooksnetwork.com/the-golden-g...
newbooksnetwork.com/the-golden-g...
Alfred L. Martin Jr. and Taylor Cole Miller eds., "The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai" (Rutgers UP, 2025) - New Books Network
newbooksnetwork.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Now available: @alfredmartin.bsky.social and Taylor Cole Miller discussing The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai on @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social podcast.
newbooksnetwork.com/the-golden-g...
newbooksnetwork.com/the-golden-g...
Reposted by Alfred Martin
I’m in a book!! Head on over to my #GoldenGirls blog to read all about The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai plus behind the scenes interviews with editors @tvdoc.bsky.social and @alfredmartin.bsky.social!!
goldengirlsfashion.com/2025/08/25/t...
goldengirlsfashion.com/2025/08/25/t...
August 27, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I’m in a book!! Head on over to my #GoldenGirls blog to read all about The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai plus behind the scenes interviews with editors @tvdoc.bsky.social and @alfredmartin.bsky.social!!
goldengirlsfashion.com/2025/08/25/t...
goldengirlsfashion.com/2025/08/25/t...
Reposted by Alfred Martin
There is nothing more American than poisoning a low income, community of color on behalf of a major business corporation.
May 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM
There is nothing more American than poisoning a low income, community of color on behalf of a major business corporation.
Reposted by Alfred Martin
"I want this book to be understood as a joyous love letter to Blackness and Black reception practices." -Alfred L. Martin Jr, author of Fandom for Us By Us: The Pleasures and Practices of Black Audiences
Black Fandoms and the Politics of Representation: A Q&A With Alfred L. Martin, Jr., author of "Fandom For Us, By Us" - NYU Press
You interviewed 75 people for this book. What was that experience like? Did anything stand out to you in the interviews? Writing this book was unlike any writing experience I... READ MORE
buff.ly
May 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"I want this book to be understood as a joyous love letter to Blackness and Black reception practices." -Alfred L. Martin Jr, author of Fandom for Us By Us: The Pleasures and Practices of Black Audiences
Nothing quite as anti-Black as a Met Gala theme focused on Blackness where rich Black people show up in clothes not designed by Black designers.
May 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Nothing quite as anti-Black as a Met Gala theme focused on Blackness where rich Black people show up in clothes not designed by Black designers.
Words cannot describe celebrating the release of my @nyupress.bsky.social book FANDOM FOR US, BY US in my hometown. Looking out on a room full of people that included people I’ve know for most of my life was a particular kind of treat. Two days later, I’m still high from all the love & energy!
May 2, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Words cannot describe celebrating the release of my @nyupress.bsky.social book FANDOM FOR US, BY US in my hometown. Looking out on a room full of people that included people I’ve know for most of my life was a particular kind of treat. Two days later, I’m still high from all the love & energy!
Last night, I celebrated my new @nyupress.bsky.social book @ Books & Books. Thanks to Craig Seymour for being my conversation partner & all the folks who came out, but especially my Renaissance High homies Rita & Julian. I’m really grateful to have colleagues who show up to support my work.
April 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Last night, I celebrated my new @nyupress.bsky.social book @ Books & Books. Thanks to Craig Seymour for being my conversation partner & all the folks who came out, but especially my Renaissance High homies Rita & Julian. I’m really grateful to have colleagues who show up to support my work.
Today is the not only the day that the Lord hath made. It is also the birth date of my newest book FANDOM FOR US, BY US. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjjqKsju/
Today is the birthday of my new book FANDOM FOR US, BY US. It can be purchased at NYUP https://nyupress.org/9781479824922/fandom-for-us-by-us/ or wherever you buy books. #TheWiz #mistycopeland #blackp...
TikTok video by DrAl1975
www.tiktok.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Today is the not only the day that the Lord hath made. It is also the birth date of my newest book FANDOM FOR US, BY US. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjjqKsju/
Happy birthday to my new @nyupress.bsky.social book FANDOM FOR US, BY US: THE PLEASURES AND PRACTICES OF BLACK AUDIENCES (out officially today). The book details Black fan practices around the ballerina #MistyCopeland, the films BLACK PANTHER & THE WIZ, and THE GOLDEN GIRLS.
April 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Happy birthday to my new @nyupress.bsky.social book FANDOM FOR US, BY US: THE PLEASURES AND PRACTICES OF BLACK AUDIENCES (out officially today). The book details Black fan practices around the ballerina #MistyCopeland, the films BLACK PANTHER & THE WIZ, and THE GOLDEN GIRLS.