Claudia Stellar, PhD
@claudiastellar.bsky.social
Scholar of Race, Policing & Nat’l Security I 📕: Blackness & the US Nat’l Security Paradigm I💡Authoritarianism, Counterintelligence, Political Repression I Northwestern PhD I NASM I Sassy 💁🏻♀️I http://claudiagarciarojas.com
Pinned
The Supreme Court Won’t Save Us — It Was Founded to Defend White Supremacy
Since its inception, the court has operated to enshrine whiteness as the normative baseline in constitutional law.
truthout.org
Two years ago, I wrote a brief piece for @truthout.bsky.social, arguing that we should view #SCOTUS as a national defense agency that has consistently worked to enshrine and defend white nationalism since its inception—a trend likely to intensify under Trump.
truthout.org/articles/the...
truthout.org/articles/the...
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
THIS. When I was a public defender, every client I represented had a story, a reason, a path that led them to the criminal justice system. Many of them were tragic and understandable.
Lumping them all together as "criminals" dehumanizes them all.
Lumping them all together as "criminals" dehumanizes them all.
Remember: "Deportations"/kidnappings to CECOT could not have happened without dehumanization of incarcerated people at home. Think about how the definition of crime & criminal has been expanded in 2025-Anyone can be subjected to this. Also this should NOT be done to those labeled criminals either
“U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III wrote that the facility is “infested with mold” that eats through brick and metal, drips from ceilings, and falls from air vents.”
January 5, 2026 at 7:06 PM
THIS. When I was a public defender, every client I represented had a story, a reason, a path that led them to the criminal justice system. Many of them were tragic and understandable.
Lumping them all together as "criminals" dehumanizes them all.
Lumping them all together as "criminals" dehumanizes them all.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
BBC journalists have been banned from describing the kidnapped Venezuelan leader as having been kidnapped.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
January 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
BBC journalists have been banned from describing the kidnapped Venezuelan leader as having been kidnapped.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
In a study following 23 million people age 18-59 (pretty young) for 4 years…despite the fact that the ones who got the COVID vaccine were overall older and sicker at baseline, they not only had 74% lower risk of dying from COVID than the unvaccinated but 25% lower risk of dying from any other cause!
January 4, 2026 at 8:59 PM
In a study following 23 million people age 18-59 (pretty young) for 4 years…despite the fact that the ones who got the COVID vaccine were overall older and sicker at baseline, they not only had 74% lower risk of dying from COVID than the unvaccinated but 25% lower risk of dying from any other cause!
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Sable got new thigh-high snow boots.
His confidence skyrocketed to a level that should require a permit. ❄️
His confidence skyrocketed to a level that should require a permit. ❄️
December 29, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Sable got new thigh-high snow boots.
His confidence skyrocketed to a level that should require a permit. ❄️
His confidence skyrocketed to a level that should require a permit. ❄️
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Asked my pup how he felt about the New Year.
His response is … relatable.
His response is … relatable.
January 3, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Asked my pup how he felt about the New Year.
His response is … relatable.
His response is … relatable.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Mamdani arrives to his mayoral inauguration at City Hall in a motorcade of NYC taxi cabs—workers he went on hunger strike with in 2021.
January 1, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Mamdani arrives to his mayoral inauguration at City Hall in a motorcade of NYC taxi cabs—workers he went on hunger strike with in 2021.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
December 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Historians and Gender scholars:
If you were creating a new U.S. women's history survey course, what books would be must-reads for lecture prep? They don't have to be new, and can include material from pre-colonial to the present. Give me a reading list! (I need to spend some PD funds)
If you were creating a new U.S. women's history survey course, what books would be must-reads for lecture prep? They don't have to be new, and can include material from pre-colonial to the present. Give me a reading list! (I need to spend some PD funds)
December 10, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Historians and Gender scholars:
If you were creating a new U.S. women's history survey course, what books would be must-reads for lecture prep? They don't have to be new, and can include material from pre-colonial to the present. Give me a reading list! (I need to spend some PD funds)
If you were creating a new U.S. women's history survey course, what books would be must-reads for lecture prep? They don't have to be new, and can include material from pre-colonial to the present. Give me a reading list! (I need to spend some PD funds)
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
On this day in 1982, #Bauhaus released their live album "Press Eject And Give Me The Tape" - compiling songs from live performances in 81 and 82.
December 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
On this day in 1982, #Bauhaus released their live album "Press Eject And Give Me The Tape" - compiling songs from live performances in 81 and 82.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
We're close to our goal for parents in CCJ! It means so much to parents to be able to give gifts to their kids. These gifts may be the only that some kids receive. More than this, they are tangible connections to mom or dad, until they are reunited. Thank you! docs.google.com/document/d/1...
December 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
We're close to our goal for parents in CCJ! It means so much to parents to be able to give gifts to their kids. These gifts may be the only that some kids receive. More than this, they are tangible connections to mom or dad, until they are reunited. Thank you! docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
tonight while recording a guest spot on a podcast i experienced an unacceptable level of disrespect from one of the hosts. so i decided to do what felt right for me and i left. i didn’t need to stick around to show i’m “tough” or “thick skinned.” i reminded myself that no one is owed my time.
December 9, 2025 at 1:52 AM
tonight while recording a guest spot on a podcast i experienced an unacceptable level of disrespect from one of the hosts. so i decided to do what felt right for me and i left. i didn’t need to stick around to show i’m “tough” or “thick skinned.” i reminded myself that no one is owed my time.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Policing is defunding Chicago.
Chicago spent more than $212 million on overtime for members of the Chicago Police Department in the first 10 months of 2025 — 6% more than the amount Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to set aside for police overtime in all of 2026, records show. https://to.wttw.com/49QGPU6
Chicago Spent $212M on Police Overtime So Far This Year, 6% More Than New Limit Set for 2026
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling told the Chicago City Council on Nov. 5 that he was confident that CPD would be able to spend no more than $200 million on overtime in 2026.
to.wttw.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Policing is defunding Chicago.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
December 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
I learned about two projects that are supporting people to get food.
This one allows you to cover someone's groceries: findagrocerybuddy.com/become-a-don...
This one allows you to cover someone's groceries: findagrocerybuddy.com/become-a-don...
Become a Donor | Find a Grocery Buddy
Fund a verified grocery order through Find a Grocery Buddy. Pay securely via PayPal — we’ll place the Instacart order and send you proof of delivery.
findagrocerybuddy.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I learned about two projects that are supporting people to get food.
This one allows you to cover someone's groceries: findagrocerybuddy.com/become-a-don...
This one allows you to cover someone's groceries: findagrocerybuddy.com/become-a-don...
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
“Placing SCOTUS in the context of this history reveals a pattern. Since its inception, the court has generally operated to enshrine whiteness as the normative baseline in constitutional law, & to strengthen this baseline by consistently favoring & reinforcing the superior status of whites in the US”
November 14, 2024 at 3:10 AM
“Placing SCOTUS in the context of this history reveals a pattern. Since its inception, the court has generally operated to enshrine whiteness as the normative baseline in constitutional law, & to strengthen this baseline by consistently favoring & reinforcing the superior status of whites in the US”
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Conventional wisdom tells us the Supreme Court’s dominion is the administration of justice. This misconception, however, prevents us from seeing it for what it truly is — a national defense agency.
truthout.org/articles/the...
truthout.org/articles/the...
The Supreme Court Won’t Save Us — It Was Founded to Defend White Supremacy
Since its inception, the court has operated to enshrine whiteness as the normative baseline in constitutional law.
truthout.org
November 14, 2024 at 3:08 AM
Conventional wisdom tells us the Supreme Court’s dominion is the administration of justice. This misconception, however, prevents us from seeing it for what it truly is — a national defense agency.
truthout.org/articles/the...
truthout.org/articles/the...
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Two years ago, I wrote a brief piece for @truthout.bsky.social, arguing that we should view #SCOTUS as a national defense agency that has consistently worked to enshrine and defend white nationalism since its inception—a trend likely to intensify under Trump.
truthout.org/articles/the...
truthout.org/articles/the...
The Supreme Court Won’t Save Us — It Was Founded to Defend White Supremacy
Since its inception, the court has operated to enshrine whiteness as the normative baseline in constitutional law.
truthout.org
November 14, 2024 at 3:06 AM
Two years ago, I wrote a brief piece for @truthout.bsky.social, arguing that we should view #SCOTUS as a national defense agency that has consistently worked to enshrine and defend white nationalism since its inception—a trend likely to intensify under Trump.
truthout.org/articles/the...
truthout.org/articles/the...
#CommunityIsKey
I ♥️ the small initiatives and projects my community creates. They reflect how we value one another and remind neighbors and visitors alike that we’re connected, and that we truly need one another.
“Take a keychain by your neighbor Make a keychain for your neighbor”
I ♥️ the small initiatives and projects my community creates. They reflect how we value one another and remind neighbors and visitors alike that we’re connected, and that we truly need one another.
“Take a keychain by your neighbor Make a keychain for your neighbor”
November 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
#CommunityIsKey
I ♥️ the small initiatives and projects my community creates. They reflect how we value one another and remind neighbors and visitors alike that we’re connected, and that we truly need one another.
“Take a keychain by your neighbor Make a keychain for your neighbor”
I ♥️ the small initiatives and projects my community creates. They reflect how we value one another and remind neighbors and visitors alike that we’re connected, and that we truly need one another.
“Take a keychain by your neighbor Make a keychain for your neighbor”
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
Since February, according to my latest analysis, almost 600,000 Black women have been economically sidelined. The November 20, 2025, Jobs Report makes clear this isn’t a blip. It’s a structural crisis. That is not a recovery. It is a redistribution of opportunity.
The exit economy is here. Black Women are paying the highest price | Fortune
This isn’t a blip. It’s a structural crisis. And it's not a recovery, it's a redistribution of opportunity.
fortune.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Since February, according to my latest analysis, almost 600,000 Black women have been economically sidelined. The November 20, 2025, Jobs Report makes clear this isn’t a blip. It’s a structural crisis. That is not a recovery. It is a redistribution of opportunity.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
" If you know someone who has been detained and released by ICE, our REBUILD Program provides FREE therapy to help them regain stability and support." www.darknessrisingproject.org/help-me-find...
REBUILD - Darkness Rising Project
Need help finding a Black therapist? We can help.
www.darknessrisingproject.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
" If you know someone who has been detained and released by ICE, our REBUILD Program provides FREE therapy to help them regain stability and support." www.darknessrisingproject.org/help-me-find...
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
"The city of Chicago does not intend to apply for any federal grants that require the city to comply with President Trump's political aims," Mayor Brandon Johnson's press office said in a statement first shared with Reuters.
EXCLUSIVE: Chicago will not apply for federal community violence intervention grants after the Trump administration reshaped the program to focus on law enforcement and immigration, calling the new stipulations an effort to politicize public safety. www.reuters.com/world/chicag...
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"The city of Chicago does not intend to apply for any federal grants that require the city to comply with President Trump's political aims," Mayor Brandon Johnson's press office said in a statement first shared with Reuters.
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
he never looks at JD that way
November 21, 2025 at 9:38 PM
he never looks at JD that way
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
People are facing down masked men with GUNS in their cul de sacs while wearing sweats and flip flops. USians are in the streets.
November 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM
People are facing down masked men with GUNS in their cul de sacs while wearing sweats and flip flops. USians are in the streets.
More of this!
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
November 21, 2025 at 12:25 AM
More of this!
Reposted by Claudia Stellar, PhD
THREAD: Judge Ellis is the first federal judge to review extensive body cam video of DHS's actions in Chicago. She finds that DHS *repeatedly* misled the public and made claims that were disproven by agents' own videos.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
![II. Credibility
The Court next addresses the credibility of the parties’ evidence and witnesses. After reviewing all the evidence submitted to the Court and listening to the testimony elicited at the preliminary injunction hearing, during depositions, and in other court proceedings, the Court finds Defendants’ evidence simply not credible. [FN 6]
Plaintiffs submitted a mountain of evidence, providing the Court with over eighty declarations, numerous videos and articles, and other evidence. Defendants did not rebut anything that Plaintiffs set forth in their declarations or testimony, even with BWC footage.
[FN 6] In another case considering some of the same evidence presented to this Court, another court in this district also found that the perceptions of certain of Defendants’ declarants, such as Hott and Parra, were not reliable. See Illinois v. Trump, No. 25-cv-12174, 2025 WL 2886645, at *5 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 10, 2025) (noting a “troubling trend of Defendants’ declarants equating protests with riots and a lack of appreciation for the wide spectrum that exists between citizens who are observing, questioning, and criticizing their government, and those who are obstructing, assaulting, or doing violence”), motion to stay denied in part, 155 F.4th 929 (7th Cir. 2025).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreifpyry2il5toxbr3iejgrsxs6kmnwve75qwnhebfp44ieyjrfpsdu@jpeg)
November 20, 2025 at 11:04 PM
THREAD: Judge Ellis is the first federal judge to review extensive body cam video of DHS's actions in Chicago. She finds that DHS *repeatedly* misled the public and made claims that were disproven by agents' own videos.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.