Heather J. Chin
@heatherjchin.bsky.social
deputy editor @billy-penn.bsky.social @whyynews.bsky.social | @aajafreelance co-director + @aajaphilly nat'l board rep | @switchboardnyc | Always curious, often hungry | RT/like=🤔🤣🤗🔖
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
One of the reasons i love tolkien is the theme that despair is an enemy
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
You can be as terrified or nonplussed or unperturbed as you like; the sun will still rise tomorrow & the rent will still be due on the 31st. The world has no romantic narratives for its fate except those we invent, because the world does not die. That is our privilege.
I said it elsewhere, but it’s weirdly exhilarating and addictive to be terrified all the time, and the people addicted to it, when they say this, may as well be saying “I can stop at any time, it’s just the world doing this *to* me.”
December 31, 2023 at 3:23 AM
One of the reasons i love tolkien is the theme that despair is an enemy
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
This rhetoric is indistinguishable from the stuff you hear coming out of white nationalists. Completely identical language.
Trump: “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries … denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.“
November 28, 2025 at 4:52 AM
This rhetoric is indistinguishable from the stuff you hear coming out of white nationalists. Completely identical language.
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Among other things, the (nebulous but clearly unconstitutional) attack on naturalized US citizens contained in this screed is a significant escalation.
Trump: “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries … denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.“
November 28, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Among other things, the (nebulous but clearly unconstitutional) attack on naturalized US citizens contained in this screed is a significant escalation.
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
“Press Conference As Humiliation Ritual: An Analysis of Trump and the U.S. Press through The Lens of Performative Sadomasochism”
In this essay I will…
In this essay I will…
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan
November 28, 2025 at 2:56 AM
“Press Conference As Humiliation Ritual: An Analysis of Trump and the U.S. Press through The Lens of Performative Sadomasochism”
In this essay I will…
In this essay I will…
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
My first piece for @theguardian.com on MBS’s visit to the U.S., seven years after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
Trump’s America is beginning to look like MBS’s Saudi Arabia— which Jamal warned me about.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump’s America is beginning to look like MBS’s Saudi Arabia— which Jamal warned me about.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Saudification of America is under way | Karen Attiah
Jamal Khashoggi’s plight and murder was a warning sign for the US, of the impending loss of freedom and censorship that would sweep the country
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
My first piece for @theguardian.com on MBS’s visit to the U.S., seven years after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
Trump’s America is beginning to look like MBS’s Saudi Arabia— which Jamal warned me about.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump’s America is beginning to look like MBS’s Saudi Arabia— which Jamal warned me about.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
#MuseumStoreSunday options abound in Philly! #shoplocal
Wondering where to get that perfect holiday gift? Museum Store Sunday — a Black Friday alternative — may be your answer to avoiding crowds while supporting local institutions. billypenn.com/2025/11/26/m...
Museum Store Sunday may be your answer for the perfect holiday gift
Skip the crowds and discover one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting the institutions you love.
billypenn.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:10 AM
#MuseumStoreSunday options abound in Philly! #shoplocal
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Here's Part 2, with a deep dive into our Survivor Connection project and the new Association of Gun Violence Reporters. Many thanks to @heatherjchin.bsky.social @billy-penn.bsky.social for your caring attention to our work:
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Here's Part 2, with a deep dive into our Survivor Connection project and the new Association of Gun Violence Reporters. Many thanks to @heatherjchin.bsky.social @billy-penn.bsky.social for your caring attention to our work:
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
A Yemeni man fleeing persecution requested asylum in the U.S. ICE deported him as the Trump administration bombed Yemen, Kate Morrissey reports. Deported by the U.S., captured by the Houthi militia, & tortured in Mexico, there are few places left for Ali to turn.
Yemeni man captured by Houthis after deportation from US
Deported by the U.S., captured by the Houthi militia, and tortured in Mexico, there are few places left for Ali to turn
prismreports.org
October 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A Yemeni man fleeing persecution requested asylum in the U.S. ICE deported him as the Trump administration bombed Yemen, Kate Morrissey reports. Deported by the U.S., captured by the Houthi militia, & tortured in Mexico, there are few places left for Ali to turn.
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
The need for something like this is obvious - Congress and administrative agencies don't understand high energy physics as well as physicists do, so physicists provide expertise to guide government support for research. But the Trump administration hates expertise, science, and basic research so
SCIENCE POLICY NEWS:
During Yom Kippur, all the members of the High Energy Physics Advisory Committee (HEPAP), myself included, received a letter thanking us for our service and telling us essentially that the almost 40 yo standing federal advisory committee was no more. ⚛️🧪🔭
Why that matters 🧵
During Yom Kippur, all the members of the High Energy Physics Advisory Committee (HEPAP), myself included, received a letter thanking us for our service and telling us essentially that the almost 40 yo standing federal advisory committee was no more. ⚛️🧪🔭
Why that matters 🧵
DOE Consolidates Office of Science Advisory Committees
Six long-standing committees advising the Department of Energy’s Office of Science have been rolled into one.
www.aip.org
October 15, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The need for something like this is obvious - Congress and administrative agencies don't understand high energy physics as well as physicists do, so physicists provide expertise to guide government support for research. But the Trump administration hates expertise, science, and basic research so
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
I know the gaslighting and hypocrisy are entirely intentional, but it's worth pointing out that these guys think that
A) marches with families and people in inflatable costumes are hateful and anti-American
and also
B) people who stormed the Capitol were just having a fun day out
A) marches with families and people in inflatable costumes are hateful and anti-American
and also
B) people who stormed the Capitol were just having a fun day out
Johnson: "We call it the Hate America Rally that will happen Saturday. Let's see who shows up for that. I bet you you'll see Hamas supporters, I bet you'll see antifa types, I bet you'll see Marxists on full display, people who don't want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic"
October 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I know the gaslighting and hypocrisy are entirely intentional, but it's worth pointing out that these guys think that
A) marches with families and people in inflatable costumes are hateful and anti-American
and also
B) people who stormed the Capitol were just having a fun day out
A) marches with families and people in inflatable costumes are hateful and anti-American
and also
B) people who stormed the Capitol were just having a fun day out
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
The Indiana University Media School fired its Director of Student Media Tuesday, one week after he says he was ordered by administrators to remove news from the Indiana Daily Student print edition. @weiss-a-woni.bsky.social
IU fires leader of student media, including Indiana Daily Student
Editors at the Indiana Daily Student said Director of Student Media Jim Rodenbush refused to tell students to remove news from an upcoming special print edition.
www.ipm.org
October 15, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The Indiana University Media School fired its Director of Student Media Tuesday, one week after he says he was ordered by administrators to remove news from the Indiana Daily Student print edition. @weiss-a-woni.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
In 2022, @/redcanarysong asked me to speak at a vigil for the 1 year anniversary of the Atlanta Massage Parlour shooting that took the lives of 8 people.
For the 1st time that speech appears in “We Are Each Others Liberation: Black and Asian Solidarities.”
I’m incredibly honored 🧡
bit.ly/3IBsoay
For the 1st time that speech appears in “We Are Each Others Liberation: Black and Asian Solidarities.”
I’m incredibly honored 🧡
bit.ly/3IBsoay
We Are Each Other's Liberation
www.haymarketbooks.org
July 11, 2025 at 2:50 AM
In 2022, @/redcanarysong asked me to speak at a vigil for the 1 year anniversary of the Atlanta Massage Parlour shooting that took the lives of 8 people.
For the 1st time that speech appears in “We Are Each Others Liberation: Black and Asian Solidarities.”
I’m incredibly honored 🧡
bit.ly/3IBsoay
For the 1st time that speech appears in “We Are Each Others Liberation: Black and Asian Solidarities.”
I’m incredibly honored 🧡
bit.ly/3IBsoay
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
What can we learn from the political organisers who came before us?
Read an extract from the forthcoming collection, WE ARE EACH OTHER'S LIBERATION: BLACK AND ASIAN FEMINIST SOLIDARITIES, edited by Rachel Kuo, Jaimee A. Swift, and TD Tso (@haymarketbooks.org).
www.wasafiri.org/content/excl...
Read an extract from the forthcoming collection, WE ARE EACH OTHER'S LIBERATION: BLACK AND ASIAN FEMINIST SOLIDARITIES, edited by Rachel Kuo, Jaimee A. Swift, and TD Tso (@haymarketbooks.org).
www.wasafiri.org/content/excl...
Exclusive Extract — We Are Each Other's Liberation: Black and Asian Feminist Solidarities
We're delighted to share an exclusive extract from the forthcoming collection, We Are Each Other's Liberation:
www.wasafiri.org
October 9, 2025 at 11:02 AM
What can we learn from the political organisers who came before us?
Read an extract from the forthcoming collection, WE ARE EACH OTHER'S LIBERATION: BLACK AND ASIAN FEMINIST SOLIDARITIES, edited by Rachel Kuo, Jaimee A. Swift, and TD Tso (@haymarketbooks.org).
www.wasafiri.org/content/excl...
Read an extract from the forthcoming collection, WE ARE EACH OTHER'S LIBERATION: BLACK AND ASIAN FEMINIST SOLIDARITIES, edited by Rachel Kuo, Jaimee A. Swift, and TD Tso (@haymarketbooks.org).
www.wasafiri.org/content/excl...
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Yeah, that is a tear gas canister being fired toward the retreating couple holding the baby
October 15, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Yeah, that is a tear gas canister being fired toward the retreating couple holding the baby
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Trump: "We took the freedom of speech away because that's been through the courts and the courts said you have freedom of speech, but what has happened is when they burn a flag it agitates and irritates crowds."
October 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Trump: "We took the freedom of speech away because that's been through the courts and the courts said you have freedom of speech, but what has happened is when they burn a flag it agitates and irritates crowds."
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Happy #BannedBooksWeek. If you love libraries and hate censorship, I'd encourage you to do more than just read a banned book this week. Here are a few ideas:
1. Get involved in your local public library board
2. Join or start a friends group
3. Organize a people's assembly for your public library
1. Get involved in your local public library board
2. Join or start a friends group
3. Organize a people's assembly for your public library
October 10, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Happy #BannedBooksWeek. If you love libraries and hate censorship, I'd encourage you to do more than just read a banned book this week. Here are a few ideas:
1. Get involved in your local public library board
2. Join or start a friends group
3. Organize a people's assembly for your public library
1. Get involved in your local public library board
2. Join or start a friends group
3. Organize a people's assembly for your public library
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Kentucky attorney general pushing for EPA to repeal federal carbon emission regulations www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
Kentucky attorney general pushing for EPA to repeal federal carbon emission regulations
In an 88-page letter to the EPA, Attorney General Russell Coleman is encouraging the agency to move forward with a proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding.
www.lpm.org
October 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Kentucky attorney general pushing for EPA to repeal federal carbon emission regulations www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Ken Burns to Terry Gross: America has always been divided... historians have seen that... America was born out of violence. It doesnt take away from the ideals put forward in creation to acknowledge that. #PBS #AmericanRevolution
October 10, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Ken Burns to Terry Gross: America has always been divided... historians have seen that... America was born out of violence. It doesnt take away from the ideals put forward in creation to acknowledge that. #PBS #AmericanRevolution
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
Ken Burns: good stories with complexity, whether shakespeare or led by kevin costner (yellowstone) will appeal... made this film not for blue or red audience, but for an American audience. ... but could not have made this film w/o #PublicMedia #PBS #AmericanRevolution
October 10, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Ken Burns: good stories with complexity, whether shakespeare or led by kevin costner (yellowstone) will appeal... made this film not for blue or red audience, but for an American audience. ... but could not have made this film w/o #PublicMedia #PBS #AmericanRevolution
Ken Burns on stories of ppl who didnt get portraits painted, teens, women, criminals, enslaved...
"Stories that come to us w barnacles of sentimentality & nostalgia deserve to be scraped off, told & become impt, when you know the extraordinary, violent & diverse story of #AmericanRevolution. #PBS
"Stories that come to us w barnacles of sentimentality & nostalgia deserve to be scraped off, told & become impt, when you know the extraordinary, violent & diverse story of #AmericanRevolution. #PBS
Terry Gross: telling these stories that include voices of enslaved & women & indigenous might be called DEI; screening this at Smithsonian or NPS could get you canceled.
Ken Burns: i like to say DEI is "E Pluribus Unum" "A story is a story is a story." #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #PBS #FreshAir
Ken Burns: i like to say DEI is "E Pluribus Unum" "A story is a story is a story." #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #PBS #FreshAir
Ken Burns to Terry Gross: Washington was against keeping & recruiting Black soldiers who fought bravely in Lexington & Concord, eventually realized mistake... Terry notes W describing colonists as enslaved to British. Ken says "irony & hypocrisy not lost on anybody." #AmericanRevolution #PBS
October 10, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Ken Burns on stories of ppl who didnt get portraits painted, teens, women, criminals, enslaved...
"Stories that come to us w barnacles of sentimentality & nostalgia deserve to be scraped off, told & become impt, when you know the extraordinary, violent & diverse story of #AmericanRevolution. #PBS
"Stories that come to us w barnacles of sentimentality & nostalgia deserve to be scraped off, told & become impt, when you know the extraordinary, violent & diverse story of #AmericanRevolution. #PBS
Terry Gross: telling these stories that include voices of enslaved & women & indigenous might be called DEI; screening this at Smithsonian or NPS could get you canceled.
Ken Burns: i like to say DEI is "E Pluribus Unum" "A story is a story is a story." #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #PBS #FreshAir
Ken Burns: i like to say DEI is "E Pluribus Unum" "A story is a story is a story." #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #PBS #FreshAir
Ken Burns to Terry Gross: Washington was against keeping & recruiting Black soldiers who fought bravely in Lexington & Concord, eventually realized mistake... Terry notes W describing colonists as enslaved to British. Ken says "irony & hypocrisy not lost on anybody." #AmericanRevolution #PBS
October 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Terry Gross: telling these stories that include voices of enslaved & women & indigenous might be called DEI; screening this at Smithsonian or NPS could get you canceled.
Ken Burns: i like to say DEI is "E Pluribus Unum" "A story is a story is a story." #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #PBS #FreshAir
Ken Burns: i like to say DEI is "E Pluribus Unum" "A story is a story is a story." #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #PBS #FreshAir
Ken Burns: freedom then defined around white me. W property and no debt, an assumption of manifest destiny and God given preference, but where does it say God given rights but only for white ppl?
Ken Burns to Terry Gross: Washington was against keeping & recruiting Black soldiers who fought bravely in Lexington & Concord, eventually realized mistake... Terry notes W describing colonists as enslaved to British. Ken says "irony & hypocrisy not lost on anybody." #AmericanRevolution #PBS
October 10, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Ken Burns: freedom then defined around white me. W property and no debt, an assumption of manifest destiny and God given preference, but where does it say God given rights but only for white ppl?
Reposted by Heather J. Chin
👀A Rutgers professor who teaches an anti-fascism class was blocked from leaving the US hours > Trump’s “Antifa” roundtable w/ Jack Posobiec who has called Bray a “domestic terrorist professor.” TPUSA at Rutgers has called him an “antifa member,” a claim he denies. He’s received death threats. 1/
US anti-fascism expert blocked from flying to Spain at airport
Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was informed at boarding gate that his trip was cancelled
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
👀A Rutgers professor who teaches an anti-fascism class was blocked from leaving the US hours > Trump’s “Antifa” roundtable w/ Jack Posobiec who has called Bray a “domestic terrorist professor.” TPUSA at Rutgers has called him an “antifa member,” a claim he denies. He’s received death threats. 1/
In intro to #PBS event, Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle notes he is part of 1st gen to grow up w #PublicMedia... made me realize me too! I've been grateful for being a PBS kid, but didn't realize that childhood was unique to our generation in comparison to parents & grands & even our kids to an extent.
Ken Burns: I often think of PBS is to communication as what the Declaration of Independence is to the country -- supporting a lifetime of learning... criticizes end of CPB and reallocation of $700M funding for public media as "short-sighted."
October 10, 2025 at 12:52 AM
In intro to #PBS event, Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle notes he is part of 1st gen to grow up w #PublicMedia... made me realize me too! I've been grateful for being a PBS kid, but didn't realize that childhood was unique to our generation in comparison to parents & grands & even our kids to an extent.
Terry Gross notes "which side would I be on?" Not sure I'd want war in my backyard, to see men in my life die. Ken Burns notes what would I be willing to die for? Many ppl made these decisions. Last line in Declaration notes pledging lives & sacred honor to each other. #AmericanRevolution #freshAir
Ken Burns: declaration of dependence post battle of long island/Bklyn loyalists signed... then when British devastated farms& fams, ppl shifted, so complex. Families divided. Notes Franklin's son formed terrorist org hunting Patriots, who hunted loyalists in turn. Was down & dirty, local & macro.
October 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Terry Gross notes "which side would I be on?" Not sure I'd want war in my backyard, to see men in my life die. Ken Burns notes what would I be willing to die for? Many ppl made these decisions. Last line in Declaration notes pledging lives & sacred honor to each other. #AmericanRevolution #freshAir