Anca Wilkening
@historianca.bsky.social
Religious Studies, Indigenous Studies, Queer Studies in Early America. Ph.D. Candidate @Harvard by day/night, forager at heart. Archival and Mushroom Nerd. Chronic Former Gifted Kid.
Pinned
I was utterly unsurprised to see that my former boss, Harvard economist David Laibson, also appears in Epstein’s email discussing invitees for a private dinner at Harvard.
Laibson has also publicly defended Larry Summers.
Laibson has also publicly defended Larry Summers.
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
Benito is a threat b/c he makes art so alluring and enjoyable you want to understand everything about it and then you end up learning about sugar and slavery and colonialism and the Taínos and Hawaii and then you probably have some thoughts of your own, and that's why art is powerful and dangerous
February 9, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Benito is a threat b/c he makes art so alluring and enjoyable you want to understand everything about it and then you end up learning about sugar and slavery and colonialism and the Taínos and Hawaii and then you probably have some thoughts of your own, and that's why art is powerful and dangerous
I was utterly unsurprised to see that my former boss, Harvard economist David Laibson, also appears in Epstein’s email discussing invitees for a private dinner at Harvard.
Laibson has also publicly defended Larry Summers.
Laibson has also publicly defended Larry Summers.
February 9, 2026 at 2:42 AM
I was utterly unsurprised to see that my former boss, Harvard economist David Laibson, also appears in Epstein’s email discussing invitees for a private dinner at Harvard.
Laibson has also publicly defended Larry Summers.
Laibson has also publicly defended Larry Summers.
Not daddy just chilling in the background
a man with a moustache is peeking out from behind a rock
ALT: a man with a moustache is peeking out from behind a rock
media.tenor.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:37 AM
Not daddy just chilling in the background
Queen S is patiently awaiting Benito Bowl
February 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Queen S is patiently awaiting Benito Bowl
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
@historianca.bsky.social is kicking @chancebonar.bsky.social’s ass
February 7, 2026 at 7:12 PM
@historianca.bsky.social is kicking @chancebonar.bsky.social’s ass
Taking a brief break from seven days a week dissertation writing for my first AISA conference
February 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Taking a brief break from seven days a week dissertation writing for my first AISA conference
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
✨proofs day✨ for "Victim Blaming and Slut Shaming in the Exegesis on the Soul," coming out with Harvard Theological Review soon
February 2, 2026 at 8:07 PM
✨proofs day✨ for "Victim Blaming and Slut Shaming in the Exegesis on the Soul," coming out with Harvard Theological Review soon
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
Exactly this. They’re not individual bad apples, but have boy’s club-style networks throughout Harvard faculty and admin (esp. in certain departments and schools) who insulate them from culpability
It's easy to see these men as individual bad apples. But I'd argue--the bigger problems are "elite" universities' look-the-other-way approach to dealing with big-name bad actors, and the fact that, societially, we let "elite" universities play such a big role in determining who can get ahead.
February 1, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Exactly this. They’re not individual bad apples, but have boy’s club-style networks throughout Harvard faculty and admin (esp. in certain departments and schools) who insulate them from culpability
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
I want to say a bit more about our initiative to hire scholars to 3yr Research Associate positions.
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
Please share widely!
The JCB is hiring two three-year research associates for collaborative work on religions and freedoms in the early Americas.
Details at jcblibrary.org!
The JCB is hiring two three-year research associates for collaborative work on religions and freedoms in the early Americas.
Details at jcblibrary.org!
January 28, 2026 at 12:27 PM
I want to say a bit more about our initiative to hire scholars to 3yr Research Associate positions.
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
This five year old is still in jail
January 27, 2026 at 1:38 PM
This five year old is still in jail
Bovino takes issue with calling ICE the Gestapo. Fair enough, the proper designation is Geheime Staatspolizei.
January 27, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Bovino takes issue with calling ICE the Gestapo. Fair enough, the proper designation is Geheime Staatspolizei.
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
AOC: "An ICE officer had violently pushed a woman to the ground and he had come over to help get her up and that is what precipitated this incident that very quickly led to an execution in the streets. What we are seeing here is a momentous pivotal moment for the United States."
January 24, 2026 at 10:25 PM
AOC: "An ICE officer had violently pushed a woman to the ground and he had come over to help get her up and that is what precipitated this incident that very quickly led to an execution in the streets. What we are seeing here is a momentous pivotal moment for the United States."
Today marks one year since our impromptu legal wedding, and looking back, it was one of the wisest decisions we’ve ever made. Happy Anniversary @chancebonar.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Today marks one year since our impromptu legal wedding, and looking back, it was one of the wisest decisions we’ve ever made. Happy Anniversary @chancebonar.bsky.social
Yes, and also Germany is likely to play IN PHILLY on 4th of July!
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it's time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
German soccer federation official wants World Cup boycott considered because of Trump
A German soccer federation executive committee member says it’s time to consider a World Cup boycott because of the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
bit.ly
January 24, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Yes, and also Germany is likely to play IN PHILLY on 4th of July!
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
Future historian looking for an opening anecdote:
Today, Jan. 23, 2026, the people of Minnesota hold a general strike to protest the federal gov't's assault on their persons and rights.
Also today, someone (perhaps a billionaire) will pay ~$5,000,000 for a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Today, Jan. 23, 2026, the people of Minnesota hold a general strike to protest the federal gov't's assault on their persons and rights.
Also today, someone (perhaps a billionaire) will pay ~$5,000,000 for a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
January 23, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Future historian looking for an opening anecdote:
Today, Jan. 23, 2026, the people of Minnesota hold a general strike to protest the federal gov't's assault on their persons and rights.
Also today, someone (perhaps a billionaire) will pay ~$5,000,000 for a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Today, Jan. 23, 2026, the people of Minnesota hold a general strike to protest the federal gov't's assault on their persons and rights.
Also today, someone (perhaps a billionaire) will pay ~$5,000,000 for a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
NEW: I spoke with this bishop, who offered more context for his (entirely unprepared!) remarks.
Turns out other bishops (e.g., in MN) agree with him, and he recalled the moment he told local priests to get their wills in order.
“There was a little gasp,” he said. religionnews.com/2026/01/15/t...
Turns out other bishops (e.g., in MN) agree with him, and he recalled the moment he told local priests to get their wills in order.
“There was a little gasp,” he said. religionnews.com/2026/01/15/t...
January 16, 2026 at 12:05 AM
NEW: I spoke with this bishop, who offered more context for his (entirely unprepared!) remarks.
Turns out other bishops (e.g., in MN) agree with him, and he recalled the moment he told local priests to get their wills in order.
“There was a little gasp,” he said. religionnews.com/2026/01/15/t...
Turns out other bishops (e.g., in MN) agree with him, and he recalled the moment he told local priests to get their wills in order.
“There was a little gasp,” he said. religionnews.com/2026/01/15/t...
So so proud of my brilliant spouse who against all odds got awarded an NEH grant for their amazing work in early Christianity and slavery studies @chancebonar.bsky.social
January 15, 2026 at 9:56 PM
So so proud of my brilliant spouse who against all odds got awarded an NEH grant for their amazing work in early Christianity and slavery studies @chancebonar.bsky.social
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
I’m grateful that @nehgov.bsky.social finds my work on Onesimus valuable for the humanities!
When the book comes out via @fortresspress.bsky.social, get excited about the reception (from Ethiopia and Greece to the UK and US) of one of the earliest known individuals who was enslaved by a Christian
When the book comes out via @fortresspress.bsky.social, get excited about the reception (from Ethiopia and Greece to the UK and US) of one of the earliest known individuals who was enslaved by a Christian
Congratulations to my Advising Fellow @chancebonar.bsky.social for winning an NEH fellowship for his project on Onesimus! Sorry you’re stuck with us instead, Chance!
NEH awards $75.1 million in grants to 84 humanities projects, including research, education, and public programs on the U.S. 250th anniversary. tinyurl.com/3a37thbk
January 15, 2026 at 5:51 PM
I’m grateful that @nehgov.bsky.social finds my work on Onesimus valuable for the humanities!
When the book comes out via @fortresspress.bsky.social, get excited about the reception (from Ethiopia and Greece to the UK and US) of one of the earliest known individuals who was enslaved by a Christian
When the book comes out via @fortresspress.bsky.social, get excited about the reception (from Ethiopia and Greece to the UK and US) of one of the earliest known individuals who was enslaved by a Christian
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
Academic and Native friends, please share this CFP and/or consider submitting a proposal! The organizers would love perspectives from outside the academy as well.
www.historic-deerfield.org/call-for-pro...
www.historic-deerfield.org/call-for-pro...
Call for Proposals — 350th Anniversary of King Philip's War/Metacom's Rebellion - Historic Deerfield
Historic Deerfield is hosting a one-day conference next year to commemorate the 350th anniversary of King Philip’s War/Metacom’s Rebellion, with the goals of helping a broad audience learn more about ...
www.historic-deerfield.org
January 12, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Academic and Native friends, please share this CFP and/or consider submitting a proposal! The organizers would love perspectives from outside the academy as well.
www.historic-deerfield.org/call-for-pro...
www.historic-deerfield.org/call-for-pro...
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
For #AHA26 folks I know most know but decimation of NEH staff described and in context of the devastation to federal agencies.
For some agencies, the cuts have hollowed out decades-old functions of the federal government.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
220,000 Fewer Workers: How Trump’s Cuts Affected Every Federal Agency (Gift Article)
New data offers the first clear view of the impact of the buyouts and firings.
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:25 PM
For #AHA26 folks I know most know but decimation of NEH staff described and in context of the devastation to federal agencies.
Today was the first time I genuinely missed Boston. Apparently the nearest screening of The Testament of Ann Lee is 50 miles away, while in Boston, unsurprisingly, there are several.
a woman with a surprised look on her face is surrounded by other people
ALT: a woman with a surprised look on her face is surrounded by other people
media.tenor.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Today was the first time I genuinely missed Boston. Apparently the nearest screening of The Testament of Ann Lee is 50 miles away, while in Boston, unsurprisingly, there are several.
Reposted by Anca Wilkening
Paine, a recent immigrant, showed that 1776 was never going to be straightforward-- morally, politically, certainly not militarily.
The fullest histories show us a world that was confusing, complex, violent, in which the assertion that all people should have the same basic rights was radical. 2/
The fullest histories show us a world that was confusing, complex, violent, in which the assertion that all people should have the same basic rights was radical. 2/
January 1, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Paine, a recent immigrant, showed that 1776 was never going to be straightforward-- morally, politically, certainly not militarily.
The fullest histories show us a world that was confusing, complex, violent, in which the assertion that all people should have the same basic rights was radical. 2/
The fullest histories show us a world that was confusing, complex, violent, in which the assertion that all people should have the same basic rights was radical. 2/
2025 was the most challenging year I have faced personally, academically, and politically. Deeply grateful for the people and communities who carried us through, and ready to meet 2026.
January 1, 2026 at 4:48 PM
2025 was the most challenging year I have faced personally, academically, and politically. Deeply grateful for the people and communities who carried us through, and ready to meet 2026.
When it looks like witchcraft but it is actually a German New Year's Tradition
January 1, 2026 at 3:34 PM
When it looks like witchcraft but it is actually a German New Year's Tradition