Helen Rottier
@helenrottier.bsky.social
PhD in Disability Studies. Disabled Dis-Epistemologies and Knowledge Production. Opinions are my own. she/her
Reposted by Helen Rottier
*sliding up to you in a club bathroom* hey uh, you got any extra opiate of the masses. to share?
January 2, 2026 at 6:59 AM
*sliding up to you in a club bathroom* hey uh, you got any extra opiate of the masses. to share?
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Picnic table spread for dinner with friends. Leg of lamb, roast chicken, garlic pita pockets, hummus, feta, and salad. 🍽️🍜
January 2, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Picnic table spread for dinner with friends. Leg of lamb, roast chicken, garlic pita pockets, hummus, feta, and salad. 🍽️🍜
Reposted by Helen Rottier
In June I finished a poem about being suicidal and the tiniest things one can use as a carrot to keep themselves going, and here at the close of the year I am finally (mostly) ready to share it
December 31, 2025 at 10:42 PM
In June I finished a poem about being suicidal and the tiniest things one can use as a carrot to keep themselves going, and here at the close of the year I am finally (mostly) ready to share it
Reposted by Helen Rottier
I'm not saying that we could reduce violence of all kinds by an order of magnitude by demanding universally better work breaks for all but I am saying we should try it and see what happens. I am hereby collecting signatures for the newly launching Siestas for All campaign
December 31, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I'm not saying that we could reduce violence of all kinds by an order of magnitude by demanding universally better work breaks for all but I am saying we should try it and see what happens. I am hereby collecting signatures for the newly launching Siestas for All campaign
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Day one of the Mamdani administration ends in scandal as “wife has shoes-Gate” rolls on with the revelation that the moderately priced shoes were on loan, moving her from being a snooty elitist hypocrite to the much greater scandal of being a disgusting poor
January 2, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Day one of the Mamdani administration ends in scandal as “wife has shoes-Gate” rolls on with the revelation that the moderately priced shoes were on loan, moving her from being a snooty elitist hypocrite to the much greater scandal of being a disgusting poor
Reposted by Helen Rottier
For New Year's Eve, my family does a jigsaw puzzle (almost always 500 piece) and watches a movie (often something old in black and white).
This year, we solved a 1,000 piece puzzle *entirely that night* and watched all three Benoit Blanc movies over that night and the following day.
This year, we solved a 1,000 piece puzzle *entirely that night* and watched all three Benoit Blanc movies over that night and the following day.
January 2, 2026 at 8:31 AM
For New Year's Eve, my family does a jigsaw puzzle (almost always 500 piece) and watches a movie (often something old in black and white).
This year, we solved a 1,000 piece puzzle *entirely that night* and watched all three Benoit Blanc movies over that night and the following day.
This year, we solved a 1,000 piece puzzle *entirely that night* and watched all three Benoit Blanc movies over that night and the following day.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Mamdani: As my first order of business, we are bringing back twee. This is a millennial city now
January 2, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Mamdani: As my first order of business, we are bringing back twee. This is a millennial city now
Reposted by Helen Rottier
This, to the power of 10.
Romanticizes a vision of the US as a perpetual frontier, where working the land is what makes one a Real American. (imperialism!) The ultimate incarnations are the Senate & the Electoral College, whose disproportionality turn this vision into political reality
Romanticizes a vision of the US as a perpetual frontier, where working the land is what makes one a Real American. (imperialism!) The ultimate incarnations are the Senate & the Electoral College, whose disproportionality turn this vision into political reality
I'm entirely serious about this: until you internalize the view that urban America is Real America, you won't see the urgency of structural reform of an American government whose fundamental structures so disadvantage its population centers—the great engines of its prosperity, progress, & culture.
Another good practice for the New Year would be for all the non-fascists in America who want to opine about politics to really begin believing that urban America is Real America & that its denizens are The Authentic People. Get some self-respect & drop the volkish nationalist view that they're not
January 2, 2026 at 5:51 AM
This, to the power of 10.
Romanticizes a vision of the US as a perpetual frontier, where working the land is what makes one a Real American. (imperialism!) The ultimate incarnations are the Senate & the Electoral College, whose disproportionality turn this vision into political reality
Romanticizes a vision of the US as a perpetual frontier, where working the land is what makes one a Real American. (imperialism!) The ultimate incarnations are the Senate & the Electoral College, whose disproportionality turn this vision into political reality
Reposted by Helen Rottier
i am rooting as much as is appropriate for mamdani to be an effective mayor because if he manages it, he will be an important model and national leader for american progressives — one part fiorello la guardia, one part robert la folette
January 2, 2026 at 12:39 AM
i am rooting as much as is appropriate for mamdani to be an effective mayor because if he manages it, he will be an important model and national leader for american progressives — one part fiorello la guardia, one part robert la folette
Reposted by Helen Rottier
This morning I wanted to begin as I intended to go on: returning to cooking for my loved ones, which the last few years had taken from me.
I hadn’t over-thought it, just remembered to pack the pan. No buttermilk, but there was enough bits & bobs to make do.
At first it was a fitting metaphor.
I hadn’t over-thought it, just remembered to pack the pan. No buttermilk, but there was enough bits & bobs to make do.
At first it was a fitting metaphor.
January 2, 2026 at 2:02 AM
This morning I wanted to begin as I intended to go on: returning to cooking for my loved ones, which the last few years had taken from me.
I hadn’t over-thought it, just remembered to pack the pan. No buttermilk, but there was enough bits & bobs to make do.
At first it was a fitting metaphor.
I hadn’t over-thought it, just remembered to pack the pan. No buttermilk, but there was enough bits & bobs to make do.
At first it was a fitting metaphor.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Everyone stop hunching, take a deep breath, get a drink of water.
Cool. Carry on
Cool. Carry on
January 2, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Everyone stop hunching, take a deep breath, get a drink of water.
Cool. Carry on
Cool. Carry on
Reposted by Helen Rottier
As of today, I am a FULL professor. I do not care much for occupational status markers. Still, it is not lost on me that only 2% of full professors are Black women. This goes beyond personal accomplishment. It is a responsibility to do as much as I can for others. That is exactly what I aim to do.
January 1, 2026 at 9:09 PM
As of today, I am a FULL professor. I do not care much for occupational status markers. Still, it is not lost on me that only 2% of full professors are Black women. This goes beyond personal accomplishment. It is a responsibility to do as much as I can for others. That is exactly what I aim to do.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Updating my pinned thread that includes 5 years of writing, advocacy, activism, and how-tos related to book censorship and the systematic dismantling of public institutions like libraries.
January 1, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Updating my pinned thread that includes 5 years of writing, advocacy, activism, and how-tos related to book censorship and the systematic dismantling of public institutions like libraries.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Mamdani just thanked his parents "for raising me, for teaching me how to be in this world, and for bringing me to this city."
Right on.
Right on.
January 1, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Mamdani just thanked his parents "for raising me, for teaching me how to be in this world, and for bringing me to this city."
Right on.
Right on.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
"I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor."
—Zohran Mamdani
—Zohran Mamdani
January 1, 2026 at 7:44 PM
"I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor."
—Zohran Mamdani
—Zohran Mamdani
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Nice touch - the trans announcer from the subway (“Stand clear of the platform edge”) is doing the announcing
January 1, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Nice touch - the trans announcer from the subway (“Stand clear of the platform edge”) is doing the announcing
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Rama Duwaji looked chic and lovely at the Inauguration. As a non-New Yorker who loves the city and looks to it for fashion inspo (just like many!), I felt she looked very NYC in the best way.
January 1, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Rama Duwaji looked chic and lovely at the Inauguration. As a non-New Yorker who loves the city and looks to it for fashion inspo (just like many!), I felt she looked very NYC in the best way.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
the leadership of "stand up for science" is demonstrating — in real time, on this niche social media site — that they're not serious or credible or competent.
the way they continue to mistreat @chanda.blacksky.app is fucked
the way they continue to mistreat @chanda.blacksky.app is fucked
January 1, 2026 at 6:55 PM
the leadership of "stand up for science" is demonstrating — in real time, on this niche social media site — that they're not serious or credible or competent.
the way they continue to mistreat @chanda.blacksky.app is fucked
the way they continue to mistreat @chanda.blacksky.app is fucked
Reposted by Helen Rottier
I guess I need to clear the air that tactical disagreements is like “where should we put our energy, can we work together” and not like “should we as a group use the Nazi bar to promote our values”
January 1, 2026 at 7:14 PM
I guess I need to clear the air that tactical disagreements is like “where should we put our energy, can we work together” and not like “should we as a group use the Nazi bar to promote our values”
Reposted by Helen Rottier
We are ALL going to have to learn how to talk through *tactical* disagreements without assuming the other person is an asshole or a fascist or incompetent
December 30, 2025 at 10:30 PM
We are ALL going to have to learn how to talk through *tactical* disagreements without assuming the other person is an asshole or a fascist or incompetent
Reposted by Helen Rottier
The unstated thing that’s in the air on here today is that 2026 is an election year and everyone’s anxiety about that is going to be on full display complete with people saying and doing things to folks that probably don’t quite deserve it because of tactical disagreements
December 30, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The unstated thing that’s in the air on here today is that 2026 is an election year and everyone’s anxiety about that is going to be on full display complete with people saying and doing things to folks that probably don’t quite deserve it because of tactical disagreements
Reposted by Helen Rottier
The haters may keep hating, but so many of us made this happen despite massive opposition.
That’s a fact. Let’s ride into 2026.
That’s a fact. Let’s ride into 2026.
January 1, 2026 at 5:32 AM
The haters may keep hating, but so many of us made this happen despite massive opposition.
That’s a fact. Let’s ride into 2026.
That’s a fact. Let’s ride into 2026.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
So when I talk about how (esp white) early career folks feel comfortable acting toward Black faculty and how power dynamics in academia are not linear, I’m talking about this kind of thing. A Black student would never dare talk to a white faculty member like this in private much less public.
January 1, 2026 at 7:02 PM
So when I talk about how (esp white) early career folks feel comfortable acting toward Black faculty and how power dynamics in academia are not linear, I’m talking about this kind of thing. A Black student would never dare talk to a white faculty member like this in private much less public.
Reposted by Helen Rottier
Reposted by Helen Rottier
When you get the reputation of being the guy with the encouraging words on New Year's Eve, it can start to come through as a little pressure -- what if the situation on the ground is worse than usual? what if people are more scared than they usually are, and with cause? what use are good vibes then?
December 31, 2025 at 11:21 PM
When you get the reputation of being the guy with the encouraging words on New Year's Eve, it can start to come through as a little pressure -- what if the situation on the ground is worse than usual? what if people are more scared than they usually are, and with cause? what use are good vibes then?