Matthew Borus
@matthewborus.bsky.social
Sociologist, social work faculty
Posting topics include community, disability, social welfare, Chicago, social movements, organizing, policy, the state, labor, coffee, and various nerdy side trips. Personal account
Posting topics include community, disability, social welfare, Chicago, social movements, organizing, policy, the state, labor, coffee, and various nerdy side trips. Personal account
Pinned
Matthew Borus
@matthewborus.bsky.social
· Feb 26
Cutting Medicaid and federal programs are among 4 key Trump administration policy changes that could make life harder for disabled people
Tracking disability policies has long been challenging − this will become a harder task under the Trump administration.
theconversation.com
New from me: A look at four (of many) areas where Trump and his GOP allies threaten to roll back disability policy:
-Disability rights at work
-Cuts to the federal workforce
-Education
-Health care, both in terms of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid
Please check it out!
-Disability rights at work
-Cuts to the federal workforce
-Education
-Health care, both in terms of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid
Please check it out!
When I think about the musical heroes whom the Kennedy Center is supposed to celebrate, I think of the guy whose guitar proclaimed “This machine kills fascists.”
Maybe this Trump spokesgoof would say he “failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist.”
Woody’s reply would probably be hilarious.
Maybe this Trump spokesgoof would say he “failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist.”
Woody’s reply would probably be hilarious.
"Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn't courageous or principled—they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people"- Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi
Kennedy Center vows to sue musician who canceled performance over Trump name change
The Kennedy Center is planning legal action after jazz musician Chuck Redd canceled an annual holiday concert. Redd pulled out after President Trump's name appeared on the building.
www.npr.org
December 28, 2025 at 5:03 AM
When I think about the musical heroes whom the Kennedy Center is supposed to celebrate, I think of the guy whose guitar proclaimed “This machine kills fascists.”
Maybe this Trump spokesgoof would say he “failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist.”
Woody’s reply would probably be hilarious.
Maybe this Trump spokesgoof would say he “failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist.”
Woody’s reply would probably be hilarious.
While You Were Sleeping is clearly the superior Chicago Christmas movie. Unlike Home Alone…
-Transit plays a major role,
-Lots and lots of great architecture shots,
-The hero does not engage in multiple potentially deadly assaults,
-It did not have a sequel with Trump.
-Transit plays a major role,
-Lots and lots of great architecture shots,
-The hero does not engage in multiple potentially deadly assaults,
-It did not have a sequel with Trump.
December 27, 2025 at 6:28 AM
While You Were Sleeping is clearly the superior Chicago Christmas movie. Unlike Home Alone…
-Transit plays a major role,
-Lots and lots of great architecture shots,
-The hero does not engage in multiple potentially deadly assaults,
-It did not have a sequel with Trump.
-Transit plays a major role,
-Lots and lots of great architecture shots,
-The hero does not engage in multiple potentially deadly assaults,
-It did not have a sequel with Trump.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
The Chicago Democratic machine used to have torchlight parades the night before an election. I remember seeing a passing reference to this in a book about Daley and being amazed.
Can we build back civic ritual without the corruption, racism, and personalism of machine politics?
Can we build back civic ritual without the corruption, racism, and personalism of machine politics?
Effective political machines weren't just about graft and kickbacks.
They also gave young people an opportunity to 1) meet like-minded young people, and 2) feel like active participants in the political process.
They also gave young people an opportunity to 1) meet like-minded young people, and 2) feel like active participants in the political process.
ah, perhaps instead of pumping millions into endless factional infighting Dem donors could invest in making local Dem organizations genuine civic spaces that can reach people during and between elections
November 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The Chicago Democratic machine used to have torchlight parades the night before an election. I remember seeing a passing reference to this in a book about Daley and being amazed.
Can we build back civic ritual without the corruption, racism, and personalism of machine politics?
Can we build back civic ritual without the corruption, racism, and personalism of machine politics?
Snowy night in Brooklyn
December 27, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Snowy night in Brooklyn
In addition to the cultural vandalism, losing the Cohen Building would mean a loss of crucial capacity for public good. “Hey, we need more HHS layoffs, there’s no office space!”
And this building, like the Switzer across the street, was the subject of extensive, pricy renovations ~12 years ago.
And this building, like the Switzer across the street, was the subject of extensive, pricy renovations ~12 years ago.
This month's 11th Hour column in the print New Republic is about Trump's threatened sale of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, the "Sistine Chapel of the New Deal." We have since learned Trump is preparing to bypass the GSA and demolish it before sale. Please spread the word.
December 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
In addition to the cultural vandalism, losing the Cohen Building would mean a loss of crucial capacity for public good. “Hey, we need more HHS layoffs, there’s no office space!”
And this building, like the Switzer across the street, was the subject of extensive, pricy renovations ~12 years ago.
And this building, like the Switzer across the street, was the subject of extensive, pricy renovations ~12 years ago.
“This negative thing exists and so we must embrace it” is such silly defeatist logic.
If I can’t wish away that some students don’t do the reading, should I stop assigning any?
If I can’t wish away that some students don’t do the reading, should I stop assigning any?
December 26, 2025 at 8:52 PM
“This negative thing exists and so we must embrace it” is such silly defeatist logic.
If I can’t wish away that some students don’t do the reading, should I stop assigning any?
If I can’t wish away that some students don’t do the reading, should I stop assigning any?
Pretty sure this is what my elders would call Bad For The Jews.
Here’s the U.S. government being officially religious in a country with no official religion.
December 25, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Pretty sure this is what my elders would call Bad For The Jews.
Years ago, my brother pointed out that with Disney owning Star Wars, they could make Chewbacca an Avenger.
Has the moment come?
Has the moment come?
New Rumor Claims the Third AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Teaser Trailer Will Focus on a Very Surprising Character
New Rumor Claims the Third AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Teaser Trailer Will Focus on a Very Surprising Character
The release of director James Cameron ’s sequel Avatar: Fire and Ash has brought the release of the first teaser trailer for Marvel’s highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday . The first trailer was...
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Years ago, my brother pointed out that with Disney owning Star Wars, they could make Chewbacca an Avenger.
Has the moment come?
Has the moment come?
I'm seeing this news on the day I did my first immigration court-watching shift.
There were no hearings at the federal building today, but families still had ICE check-ins. By the time I had to go, some had left safely. Others hadn't.
How many does Trump plan to warehouse in the coming months?
There were no hearings at the federal building today, but families still had ICE check-ins. By the time I had to go, some had left safely. Others hadn't.
How many does Trump plan to warehouse in the coming months?
WaPo reports that ICE is planning 7 massive human warehouses holding 5,000 to 10,000 people.
Recalls the acting ICE director 2015 statement that he wanted to see a “business”-oriented approach to deportations, “like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings”.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Recalls the acting ICE director 2015 statement that he wanted to see a “business”-oriented approach to deportations, “like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings”.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
ICE documents reveal plan to hold 80,000 immigrants in warehouses
The Trump administration wants to build seven large-scale deportation hubs to speed up deportations, internal ICE documents show.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I'm seeing this news on the day I did my first immigration court-watching shift.
There were no hearings at the federal building today, but families still had ICE check-ins. By the time I had to go, some had left safely. Others hadn't.
How many does Trump plan to warehouse in the coming months?
There were no hearings at the federal building today, but families still had ICE check-ins. By the time I had to go, some had left safely. Others hadn't.
How many does Trump plan to warehouse in the coming months?
Last Friday night, I saw that an author I like was doing a flash sale on signed books, so I ordered my brother and sister-in-law a Chanukah present.
But it was after midnight. And I realized today that I put in my own city, state, and zip code, instead of theirs.
Don't order sleepy, folks.
But it was after midnight. And I realized today that I put in my own city, state, and zip code, instead of theirs.
Don't order sleepy, folks.
December 24, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Last Friday night, I saw that an author I like was doing a flash sale on signed books, so I ordered my brother and sister-in-law a Chanukah present.
But it was after midnight. And I realized today that I put in my own city, state, and zip code, instead of theirs.
Don't order sleepy, folks.
But it was after midnight. And I realized today that I put in my own city, state, and zip code, instead of theirs.
Don't order sleepy, folks.
A relentless drive to make life worse for so many different groups across the country.
Trump administration to start seizing pay of defaulted student loan borrowers in January — CNBC
The Trump administration will start garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers in default in early January.
apple.news
December 23, 2025 at 11:55 PM
A relentless drive to make life worse for so many different groups across the country.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
CHOTINER: and when you're in water you
PARTICLE MAN: don't get wet, that's right.
CHOTINER: And this is because
PARTICLE MAN: the water gets me instead. It becomes particle-manish
CHOTINER: There's been some debate on this point. Triangle Man, for example
PARTICLE MAN: I think we're done here
PARTICLE MAN: don't get wet, that's right.
CHOTINER: And this is because
PARTICLE MAN: the water gets me instead. It becomes particle-manish
CHOTINER: There's been some debate on this point. Triangle Man, for example
PARTICLE MAN: I think we're done here
December 23, 2025 at 3:24 AM
CHOTINER: and when you're in water you
PARTICLE MAN: don't get wet, that's right.
CHOTINER: And this is because
PARTICLE MAN: the water gets me instead. It becomes particle-manish
CHOTINER: There's been some debate on this point. Triangle Man, for example
PARTICLE MAN: I think we're done here
PARTICLE MAN: don't get wet, that's right.
CHOTINER: And this is because
PARTICLE MAN: the water gets me instead. It becomes particle-manish
CHOTINER: There's been some debate on this point. Triangle Man, for example
PARTICLE MAN: I think we're done here
So apparently Ed Meese resigned from the Heritage Foundation, which had a center named for him.
This is a big deal, not least because it means Ed Meese is alive.
This is a big deal, not least because it means Ed Meese is alive.
December 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
So apparently Ed Meese resigned from the Heritage Foundation, which had a center named for him.
This is a big deal, not least because it means Ed Meese is alive.
This is a big deal, not least because it means Ed Meese is alive.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
Pluralism is antithetical to Christian nationalism. If Jews (or other religions minorities) have an equal right to the mantle of Americanism it knocks over the whole sordid house of cards. This same fact also explains why anti-Blackness is so central to the movement as well.
December 22, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Pluralism is antithetical to Christian nationalism. If Jews (or other religions minorities) have an equal right to the mantle of Americanism it knocks over the whole sordid house of cards. This same fact also explains why anti-Blackness is so central to the movement as well.
I first posted this sentiment in 2019,as horror over shootings in Jersey City (and not so long before, Pittsburgh) drove some to seek security through fear and distrust.
Now, as demagogues tell us to fear true allies and remain isolated, let us be bold enough to forge safety in solidarity.
Now, as demagogues tell us to fear true allies and remain isolated, let us be bold enough to forge safety in solidarity.
May our love,
our hope,
and our defiance of tyrants
all burn brighter than our fear.
our hope,
and our defiance of tyrants
all burn brighter than our fear.
December 22, 2025 at 2:16 AM
I first posted this sentiment in 2019,as horror over shootings in Jersey City (and not so long before, Pittsburgh) drove some to seek security through fear and distrust.
Now, as demagogues tell us to fear true allies and remain isolated, let us be bold enough to forge safety in solidarity.
Now, as demagogues tell us to fear true allies and remain isolated, let us be bold enough to forge safety in solidarity.
May our love,
our hope,
and our defiance of tyrants
all burn brighter than our fear.
our hope,
and our defiance of tyrants
all burn brighter than our fear.
December 21, 2025 at 11:48 PM
May our love,
our hope,
and our defiance of tyrants
all burn brighter than our fear.
our hope,
and our defiance of tyrants
all burn brighter than our fear.
Um, can someone in the Star Wars fandom identify what YouTube channel this Brice clown is with, so that we can be sure never to watch it?
[cc: @starwarsexplained.com, who have excellent politics and would never consort with a nerf-herder like this]
[cc: @starwarsexplained.com, who have excellent politics and would never consort with a nerf-herder like this]
some very funny bios here lol especially the Trump voter who would support Michelle Obama (???) who does work for a Star Wars YouTube channel lmao
December 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Um, can someone in the Star Wars fandom identify what YouTube channel this Brice clown is with, so that we can be sure never to watch it?
[cc: @starwarsexplained.com, who have excellent politics and would never consort with a nerf-herder like this]
[cc: @starwarsexplained.com, who have excellent politics and would never consort with a nerf-herder like this]
Grading a paper in which a student says something "has been an issue since the 20th century" and feeling approximately 450 years old.
December 19, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Grading a paper in which a student says something "has been an issue since the 20th century" and feeling approximately 450 years old.
Reposted by Matthew Borus
if you ever, at any point, thought marjorie taylor greene was maybe secretly a good person get your instincts checked
December 18, 2025 at 1:41 AM
if you ever, at any point, thought marjorie taylor greene was maybe secretly a good person get your instincts checked
My GF asked if there's a sentient entity named Voltron, or if Voltron is simply the collection of the five lions, and I feel like this could be used to teach methodological individualism vs Durkheimian social forces.*
*If my students watched Voltron. Which they probably missed by 20+ years.
*If my students watched Voltron. Which they probably missed by 20+ years.
"The internet is horrible yet still filled with weird magic" is a sentence I texted a minute ago.
It was inspired by finding that someone had created an image of Voltron made of cats instead of robotic lions. But it can apply to lots more.
It was inspired by finding that someone had created an image of Voltron made of cats instead of robotic lions. But it can apply to lots more.
December 17, 2025 at 2:50 AM
My GF asked if there's a sentient entity named Voltron, or if Voltron is simply the collection of the five lions, and I feel like this could be used to teach methodological individualism vs Durkheimian social forces.*
*If my students watched Voltron. Which they probably missed by 20+ years.
*If my students watched Voltron. Which they probably missed by 20+ years.
"The internet is horrible yet still filled with weird magic" is a sentence I texted a minute ago.
It was inspired by finding that someone had created an image of Voltron made of cats instead of robotic lions. But it can apply to lots more.
It was inspired by finding that someone had created an image of Voltron made of cats instead of robotic lions. But it can apply to lots more.
December 17, 2025 at 2:43 AM
"The internet is horrible yet still filled with weird magic" is a sentence I texted a minute ago.
It was inspired by finding that someone had created an image of Voltron made of cats instead of robotic lions. But it can apply to lots more.
It was inspired by finding that someone had created an image of Voltron made of cats instead of robotic lions. But it can apply to lots more.
One key function of current immigration law is to chill worker organizing. The threat of ICE can be a reason to keep your head down and not speak out about wage theft are horrible job conditions.
It’s usually not this blatant. But I guess our politics don’t leave much room for subtext any more.
It’s usually not this blatant. But I guess our politics don’t leave much room for subtext any more.
Teamsters Local 705 just confirmed that Bovino went with armed CBP agents to a Mauser picket line in Chicago this morning and "interrogated and laughed at our members while they were on the picket line." These workers went on strike to demand protections for immigrant workers, among other things.
How One Teamsters Local Is Striking to Protect Immigrant Workers - The American Prospect
The union wants bosses to turn away immigration authorities unless they show a signed judicial warrant, but resistance is fierce.
prospect.org
December 16, 2025 at 10:59 PM
One key function of current immigration law is to chill worker organizing. The threat of ICE can be a reason to keep your head down and not speak out about wage theft are horrible job conditions.
It’s usually not this blatant. But I guess our politics don’t leave much room for subtext any more.
It’s usually not this blatant. But I guess our politics don’t leave much room for subtext any more.
For those in upstate New York, this has a horrible local connection: he’s being held in the Broome County (Binghamton) jail, under a 287(g) agreement our sheriff made with ICE.
A Chinese dissident filmed Uyghur detention sites and then released the video on YouTube after fleeing China. He sought asylum in the US. Now the Trump admin wants to deport him to a country with strong ties to China.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/u...
He Recorded China’s Detention of Uyghurs. The U.S. Wants to Deport Him to Uganda.
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
For those in upstate New York, this has a horrible local connection: he’s being held in the Broome County (Binghamton) jail, under a 287(g) agreement our sheriff made with ICE.