Brian Halley
@brianbhalley.bsky.social
Executive Editor at University of Massachusetts Press, based at UMass Boston. Views here don’t reflect them. Feminist, progressive, 🏳️🌈, into books, dogs, ocean, print culture, lit studies, environmental studies/climate justice, and more.
Pinned
Brian Halley
@brianbhalley.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Homepage - University of Massachusetts Press
Welcome to the online home of University of Massachusetts Press. We publish scholarship, literature, and books for general readers that reflect the quality and diversity of intellectual life on our ca...
www.umasspress.com
I’m fortunate to work with brilliant authors & colleagues at @umasspress.bsky.social and it’s worth checking out website. I’ll be posting on range incl my areas (print culture, env studies, lgbtq+ and gender studies, African American studies, Native studies, New England, etc) & probs w/ #publishing.
Reposted by Brian Halley
Since January, Trump's Treasury has quietly gutted enforcement of the corporate alternative minimum tax — a huge boon for big business and wealthy investors.
Meanwhile, he's led an all-out assault on Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that help the poor.
Reverse Robin Hood.
Meanwhile, he's led an all-out assault on Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that help the poor.
Reverse Robin Hood.
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Since January, Trump's Treasury has quietly gutted enforcement of the corporate alternative minimum tax — a huge boon for big business and wealthy investors.
Meanwhile, he's led an all-out assault on Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that help the poor.
Reverse Robin Hood.
Meanwhile, he's led an all-out assault on Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that help the poor.
Reverse Robin Hood.
Reposted by Brian Halley
Huh well it turns out I heard from a few federal workers about this and well
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
November 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Huh well it turns out I heard from a few federal workers about this and well
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
This is blood on the hands of all of us Americans led, yes, by Elon Musk/DOGE, Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Republican leadership in Congress. It is truly awful and cannot be overlooked or forgotten.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
This is blood on the hands of all of us Americans led, yes, by Elon Musk/DOGE, Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Republican leadership in Congress. It is truly awful and cannot be overlooked or forgotten.
Holiday sale at @umasspress.bsky.social - and let our team guide your buying with selections from our fantastic backlist!
'Tis the season for giving books! Our annual holiday sale has arrived! - University of Massachusetts Press
The holidays are fast approaching, which means that it’s time for our annual holiday sale! In case you’re not sure what to buy, we’ve curated a list of
www.umasspress.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Holiday sale at @umasspress.bsky.social - and let our team guide your buying with selections from our fantastic backlist!
If your job lays you off bc cuts to govt funding, people spending less for fear of recession, or tariffs cutting into profits, please don’t expect the govt to bail you out and don’t look to billionaires bc they worked hard and are graciously spending on lux items that are fueling the economy. 😵💫
November 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
If your job lays you off bc cuts to govt funding, people spending less for fear of recession, or tariffs cutting into profits, please don’t expect the govt to bail you out and don’t look to billionaires bc they worked hard and are graciously spending on lux items that are fueling the economy. 😵💫
Reposted by Brian Halley
TurboTax makers Intuit have lobbied the government for years to block free public tax-filing.
Now Trump has terminated the free IRS Direct File program, nearly a year after Intuit gave his inauguration $1M.
Money in politics is the root of our dysfunction.
Now Trump has terminated the free IRS Direct File program, nearly a year after Intuit gave his inauguration $1M.
Money in politics is the root of our dysfunction.
November 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
TurboTax makers Intuit have lobbied the government for years to block free public tax-filing.
Now Trump has terminated the free IRS Direct File program, nearly a year after Intuit gave his inauguration $1M.
Money in politics is the root of our dysfunction.
Now Trump has terminated the free IRS Direct File program, nearly a year after Intuit gave his inauguration $1M.
Money in politics is the root of our dysfunction.
This book looks sooooo good!
Read and, if you can, support university and indie presses!
November 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This book looks sooooo good!
“To get to any of us,you will have to get through all of us.” - Zohran Mamdani, 2025. Good job, NYC, and thank you.
November 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“To get to any of us,you will have to get through all of us.” - Zohran Mamdani, 2025. Good job, NYC, and thank you.
Reposted by Brian Halley
Dear Lord.
Armed ICE agents STOLE A BABY.
Both the baby and the dad were US Citizens.
www.latimes.com/0000019a-51e...
Armed ICE agents STOLE A BABY.
Both the baby and the dad were US Citizens.
www.latimes.com/0000019a-51e...
Armed federal immigration agents drive away with a toddler in the backseat
A video shared with the Times shows armed federal immigration agents driving away with a toddler in the backseat of a car after detaining her father during a raid at a Home Depot in Cypress Park Tuesd...
www.latimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Dear Lord.
Armed ICE agents STOLE A BABY.
Both the baby and the dad were US Citizens.
www.latimes.com/0000019a-51e...
Armed ICE agents STOLE A BABY.
Both the baby and the dad were US Citizens.
www.latimes.com/0000019a-51e...
Reposted by Brian Halley
Mary Sheffield will become the first woman elected mayor of Detroit, CNN projects. Follow live updates. https://cnn.it/4oRiL7z
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Mary Sheffield will become the first woman elected mayor of Detroit, CNN projects. Follow live updates. https://cnn.it/4oRiL7z
Reposted by Brian Halley
Repro wins so far:
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
November 5, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Repro wins so far:
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
Reposted by Brian Halley
Trump confirms he is weaponizing hunger
November 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Trump confirms he is weaponizing hunger
I want to put this out there: I’m becoming obsessed with launch of South End Press in 1976 (my birth year). My neighborhood gave the socialist press its name, though it would leave within a few years. Fascinating in terms of Boston / nat’l / urban / ‘hood / publishing / political history. DMs open!
November 4, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I want to put this out there: I’m becoming obsessed with launch of South End Press in 1976 (my birth year). My neighborhood gave the socialist press its name, though it would leave within a few years. Fascinating in terms of Boston / nat’l / urban / ‘hood / publishing / political history. DMs open!
👀
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
November 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
👀
Hearing Mamdani casually talk about the benefits of socialism without apology, with confidence, is both simple and really keeping me sane in these awful times for America.
November 4, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Hearing Mamdani casually talk about the benefits of socialism without apology, with confidence, is both simple and really keeping me sane in these awful times for America.
We’re fighting over crumbs from their hoarded cakes. It’s truly unethical. Thanks for report, @oxfamamerica.bsky.social.
Top 10 US billionaires’ collective wealth grew by $698bn in past year – report
Oxfam warns Trump policies risk driving inequality to new heights – but Democrats have also exacerbated wealth gap
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
We’re fighting over crumbs from their hoarded cakes. It’s truly unethical. Thanks for report, @oxfamamerica.bsky.social.
Reposted by Brian Halley
Two years ago, Nick Fuentes was so toxic that, after I reported on a secret meet he had with a top Texas GOP donor, the party was engulfed in scandal and voted to explicitly ban Holocaust deniers/Neo Nazis.
Today, Heritage Foundation effectively said that "no enemies to our right" includes Fuentes.
Today, Heritage Foundation effectively said that "no enemies to our right" includes Fuentes.
Heritage president backs Tucker Carlson after interview with Holocaust-denier Nick Fuentes
Kevin Roberts denounced the “venomous coalition” that has criticized the former Fox News host.
www.politico.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Two years ago, Nick Fuentes was so toxic that, after I reported on a secret meet he had with a top Texas GOP donor, the party was engulfed in scandal and voted to explicitly ban Holocaust deniers/Neo Nazis.
Today, Heritage Foundation effectively said that "no enemies to our right" includes Fuentes.
Today, Heritage Foundation effectively said that "no enemies to our right" includes Fuentes.
Simple and to the point.
The depth of the shame of a country this wealthy and abundant allowing its people to go hungry is impossible to measure. The fact that a handful of people could fix this by paying their fair share of taxes while still remaining obscenely wealthy makes it even worse.
October 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Simple and to the point.
👏👏👏
This is SUCH great news!! Huzzah @jenbenka.bsky.social, Mellon, and all the other organizations involved in this venture! We appreciate you all so much.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
New Fund to Grant $50 Million to Literary Arts Orgs
A coalition of seven charitable organizations led by the Mellon Foundation plans to award at least $50 million to nonprofit literary organizations over the next five years through the Literary Arts Fu...
www.publishersweekly.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:58 PM
👏👏👏
Pssst…. Spread the word.
Trump spent $20Billion to bail out Milei. Your state’s share is $400Million. Your household’s share is $155.
October 21, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Pssst…. Spread the word.
In case any other alum from @utaustin.bsky.social want to sign a petition against the system’s support for the Trump administration… @texasexes.org
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
Alumni urging UT Austin to reject the federal funding compact
c.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
In case any other alum from @utaustin.bsky.social want to sign a petition against the system’s support for the Trump administration… @texasexes.org
👏👏👏
I drove by a nursing home this morning and the residents were outside protesting. They couldn’t make it to No Kings but wanted to show their support.
Respect.
Respect.
October 19, 2025 at 12:42 AM
👏👏👏
Reposted by Brian Halley
about once a day I think about Omar El Akkad saying, at a panel over the summer, "the world makes perfect sense if you don't give a shit about anyone but yourself"
this is possibly lightly paraphrased but that is what I wrote in my notebook. and now I think about it. all the time.
this is possibly lightly paraphrased but that is what I wrote in my notebook. and now I think about it. all the time.
October 17, 2025 at 2:38 AM
about once a day I think about Omar El Akkad saying, at a panel over the summer, "the world makes perfect sense if you don't give a shit about anyone but yourself"
this is possibly lightly paraphrased but that is what I wrote in my notebook. and now I think about it. all the time.
this is possibly lightly paraphrased but that is what I wrote in my notebook. and now I think about it. all the time.
Reposted by Brian Halley
“The Defense Department has confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America,” the Pentagon Press Association said
October 15, 2025 at 9:52 PM
“The Defense Department has confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America,” the Pentagon Press Association said