Monisha Bajaj

@monishabajaj.bsky.social

5.9K followers 1.7K following 210 posts

Professor & scholar of peace, human rights, migration & education
University of San Francisco
(views posted here are my own)
Debut picture book A YEAR OF KITES out in 2026 with Bloomsbury
www.monishabajaj.net

Pronouns: she/her/वह .. more

Videos

Political science 36%

Sociology 29%

Posts Replies Media Videos

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Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · Apr 25

✨✨ COVER REVEAL ✨✨

Kites serve as a universal metaphor for hope, aspirations & transcendence across cultures 🪁

In A YEAR OF KITES - out Feb '26 w/
@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social - we explore 12 different kite-flying traditions across the world

📚 Pre-order at bit.ly/yearofkites or a.co/d/1XS2IAJ

Reposted by Brooke Harrington, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Monisha Bajaj

s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 1d

Anyway a great way to radicalize people is for them to realize that you just abandoned their chance at being able to access and afford health care because you didn’t like waiting in line at the airport.

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Sanford F. Schram, Monisha Bajaj

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 3d

Tesla’s profit fell 37% in the third quarter. It's been in the process of laying off 14,000 workers. It had more cars impacted by recalls than any other brand in 2024.

Yet Elon Musk just got a pay package worth $1 trillion.

American capitalism is off the rails.

Reposted by Robert B. Reich, Monisha Bajaj

Brian Goldstone @brian-goldstone.bsky.social · 4d

The Trump administration is now literally *fighting* to deny food to 42 million people, more than a third of them children.

Read that again.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...

NYT headline: Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund Food Stamps This Month

The Justice Department later said it would appeal, leaving the program known as SNAP in limbo.

Reposted by Melissa R. Michelson, Fabián Muniesa, Laurent Dubois , and 2 more Melissa R. Michelson, Fabián Muniesa, Laurent Dubois, Nancy M. Wingfield, Monisha Bajaj

Mara Gay @maragay.bsky.social · 5d

Mamdani announces transition team:

All-female team led by Elana Leopold, a known Dem strategist; also Melanie Hartzog, who once led the NYC’s health and human services and budget offices; former dep mayor Maria Torres-Springer, and Lina Khan, the former FTC commissioner who campaigned with Mamdani

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 6d

BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.

Follow AP for live updates.

Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power

One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.

bit.ly

Reposted by W. Andy Knight, Monisha Bajaj

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 6d

The oligarchy came out in full force against Zohran Mamdani's fight for a more affordable NYC.

It didn't matter.

Let his victory in the face of Big Money serve as a reminder that people have the power.

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 6d

Powerful opening of #IPRA2025 in Aotearoa @iprasocials.bsky.social

Grateful to be here w/ students, faculty & alums of @usfca-ime.bsky.social @szunes.bsky.social + so many amazing scholars/activists from around the 🌍

"Māori use ceremony as a way to lay down pain in exchange for peace" (keynote)

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 11d

San Ramon in the “progressive” Northern California Bay Area 🙄

bookriot.com/the-day-the-...

Why Did These Authors Have Their School Visit Canceled? They Were Talking About Their Book About Book Bans.

Country Club Elementary School in California's Bay Area canceled an author visit moments before it began. Why? It covered book bans.

bookriot.com

Reposted by Ann Bartow, Monisha Bajaj

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 12d

The refusal to fund SNAP will drive millions into hunger.

But when the Trump administration chooses cruelty,
@newyorkstateag.bsky.social chooses courage.

Grateful for her joining this suit to keep people fed.

Dozens of States Sue Trump Administration Over Planned Food Stamp Cuts

www.nytimes.com

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 13d

First review of @amberren.bsky.social & my forthcoming picture book (my debut!), A YEAR OF KITES, is out from Kirkus:

"...A high-flying and illuminating celebration of kites, culture, and connection." ~Kirkus

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

A YEAR OF KITES | Kirkus Reviews

For almost 3,000 years, humans have flown kites in cultures across the globe.

www.kirkusreviews.com

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 13d

With Donald Trump's government shutdown halting SNAP food benefits, California is stepping up.

We've fast-tracked $80 million to food banks across the state and deployed hundreds of California National Guard service members to help make sure Californians in need don't go hungry.

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 13d

Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab says satellite images seem to show mass killings in Sudan's western city of el-Fasher.

Yale report finds evidence of RSF mass killings in Sudan’s el-Fasher

Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab says satellite images seem to show mass killings in Sudan's western city of el-Fasher.

bit.ly

Reposted by Suzanne Conklin Akbari, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Monisha Bajaj

Dheepa Sundaram, PhD (she/her) @themodsisyphus.bsky.social · 13d

Here are some places to donate $$ to help. In south FL, there are places to donate provisions.

1. American Friends of Jamaica: shorturl.at/HqzGw
2. Americares Hurricane Fund: shorturl.at/dkdqB
3. Direct Relief: shorturl.at/uLeWw
4. WCK: shorturl.at/l6tgj
5. Other vetted charities: shorturl.at/WI4q6

Reposted by Gerald Friedman, Ann Bartow, Monisha Bajaj

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 14d

Here's my full interview with Jon Stewart on @thedailyshow.com.

Zohran Mamdani - Reimagining NYC Through Safety and Affordability | The Daily Show

YouTube video by The Daily Show

youtu.be

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Efrén O. Pérez, Philip Nel , and 9 more Joe R. Feagin, Efrén O. Pérez, Philip Nel, Harry Ferguson, Sanford F. Schram, Janet Murray, Carlos Nunes Silva, Christopher Peters, Erin O’Donnell, Clayton Littlejohn, Farah Mendlesohn, Monisha Bajaj

Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 14d

The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP.

Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP.

The people who need help are not the problem.

It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Dean Obeidallah @deanobeidallah.bsky.social · 17d

WOW: "The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help fund military pay." Trump is doing his best to make the US military his own private militia. This is very dangerous. www.mediaite.com/media/news/t...

Trump to Use $130 Million From Private Donor to Help Pay Troops Amid Shutdown

The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help fund military pay during the ongoing government shutdown — an extraordinary move made under its general gif...

www.mediaite.com

Reposted by Dorothy Bishop, Monisha Bajaj

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 19d

My friend told me that her 14 year old son started doing laundry on Sundays for some of his elderly neighbors. He doesn't charge for the labor. And now he is the most popular person in the building and has non stop pies, cookies, and cake. The 14 year old should be our model of modern masculinity.

Reposted by Robert Black, Maya Sen, Adrian Daub , and 4 more Robert Black, Maya Sen, Adrian Daub, Nicole Guenther Discenza, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Monisha Bajaj, Jesse R. Lasky

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 19d

absolutely shameful that the university has embraced the administration’s demand that it discriminate against its students. this is the board of visitors telling UVA students that if they aren’t white and cisgendered then they don’t belong.

mady castigan✨ 🏳️‍⚧️ @madycast.com · 19d

The University of Virginia has capitulated to Trump on transgender and race (affirmative action) issues.

The details are currently sparse, but reporting suggests they've agreed to define trans people out of existence and ban trans students from facilities.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

That includes any race-based scholarships and programs, including any promotion of external scholarships that consider race, and DEI trainings and workshops. Institutions were also told they should no longer prioritize “underrepresented groups” for admissions or hiring, and they must prohibit transgender students from playing on sports teams and using facilities designated for women and girls.

Reposted by Rebecca Tushnet, Monisha Bajaj

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 22d

I've mentioned this before but it bears repeating. Don't leave FSA funds on the table at the end of the year. LOTS of places like homeless shelters etc... would love donations of FSA eligible items. For the past 2 years, I've used left over funds to shop here: fsastore.com - then donate the items.

The FSA Store - Browse and Buy over 2,500+ Flexible Spending Account Eligible Items Online

The FSA Store carries over 2,500+ guaranteed FSA-eligible products, health essentials, and more.

fsastore.com

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 24d

So good! www.okayafrica.com/jad-abumrads...

@radiolab.bsky.social

Jad Abumrad’s New Podcast Series Delves into the Life, Times & Complicated Legacy of Fela Kuti

On the Afrobeat pioneer’s posthumous birthday, Abumrad, host of ‘Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,’ tells OkayAfrica about the process of putting together the thoroughly researched, 12-episode series.

www.okayafrica.com

Reposted by Fabián Muniesa, Charles W. Smith, Michael D. McDonald , and 5 more Fabián Muniesa, Charles W. Smith, Michael D. McDonald, Lisa Diedrich, Ann Bartow, Brooke Harrington, Meredith Farkas, Monisha Bajaj

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 25d

An important message to the people of New York City.

More information at zohranfornyc.com/birthday

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 27d

This was a great conversation to listen in on - so many great insights to take in

Sam Fragoso @samfragoso.bsky.social · Oct 2

“Sometimes I feel I’m not going to write again, but then it becomes harder to keep quiet than to write it.”

Loved this conversation with Arundhati Roy.

Writer Arundhati Roy on Her First Memoir, The Beatles, and Making Sense of the Past | Talk Easy

YouTube video by Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, David Rothschild , and 4 more Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, David Rothschild, W. Andy Knight, Mark Rice, Henrik Skaug Sætra, Monisha Bajaj

George Conway 🇺🇸🚫👑🐸 @gtconway.bsky.social · 27d

That's twenty-seven flat-out murders. That's twenty-seven lives taken without even a semblance of a legal justification under domestic or international law.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/u...

Reposted by Joshua S. Weitz, Henry Jones, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò , and 2 more Joshua S. Weitz, Henry Jones, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Monisha Bajaj

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 27d

wow. bezos has destroyed this paper.

karl rove knausgård @uhactually.bsky.social · 28d

Lmao WaPo has fewer than 100K circulation now. It turns out “alienate your liberal subscriber base” is not a good strategy when the Republicans also hate you. www.forbes.com/sites/andyme...

The Washington Post Is Running Out Of Readers Willing To Pay

Once a titan of American journalism, The Washington Post now struggles to reach even 100,000 print subscribers most days.

www.forbes.com

Reposted by American Library Association, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Monisha Bajaj

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 28d

Are you considering seeking appointment or running for a seat on your local library board? Are you on the Left(s)? Apply to join FTP's Library Board Candidate cohort which will launch in Feb 2026: forms.gle/RuTxVLjvnX8K...

FTP Library Elections & Appointments Training Cohort

Hello! You're filling out this form because you've expressed interest in running for or seeking appointment to a local library board seat in your community (or because you're a serving trustee who'd l...

forms.gle

Reposted by Sarah Roberts, Monisha Bajaj

profhuq.bsky.social @profhuq.bsky.social · Oct 11

Nobel Prize winner praises Trump, a fascist. 🤢 www.cnbc.com/2025/10/10/t...

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado praises Trump after White House criticizes snub

Some of Trump's Republican allies have called for him to get the Nobel Peace Prize, though the nomination deadline passed early in his current term.

www.cnbc.com

Reposted by Kimberly A. Prather, Will Jennings, Joshua S. Weitz , and 11 more Kimberly A. Prather, Will Jennings, Joshua S. Weitz, Steve Peers, Mary Feeney, American Library Association, Robert C. Richards, Melanie C. Green, Gerald Friedman, James Goodwin, Erol Akçay, Henry Jones, Timothy D. McBride, Monisha Bajaj

Sara Partridge, PhD @sarapartridge.bsky.social · Oct 11

There are reports that the *entire* office of special education at the US Dept of Education has been cut. These hardworking folks ensure kids with disabilities get equal access to a quality education.

America’s children deserve better than this.

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Haymarket Books @haymarketbooks.org · Oct 10

Join @naomiaklein.bsky.social, @chenjerai.bsky.social, @keeanga.bsky.social, and @astra.bsky.social for a town hall on the Trump administration's authoritarian war on the Left, hosted w/ @hammerandhope.bsky.social.

Tuesday, October 14th at 6:00 PM ET

RSVP: www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...

Solidarity Against Sadism
Naomi Klein
Chenjerai Kumanyika
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
Astra Taylor

An Emergency Town Hall
Tuesday, October 14 at 6:00 pm ET
Sponsored by Haymarket Books and Hammer & Hope

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Stephen Zunes @szunes.bsky.social · Oct 10

I'd have no objection if the Nobel Peace Prize went to a number of the courageous Venezuelan pro-democracy/human rights activists struggling against the Maduro regime. However, the rightwing María Corina Machado--whose commitment to democracy and social justice is dubious--was a very poor choice.

Reposted by Dustin Mulvaney, Aaron Sojourner, Monisha Bajaj

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · Oct 9

California is expanding early education for young children, creating a new grade, Universal Transitional Kindergarten, for all of California's four-year-olds.

Through investments like these, we'll be moving the needle on student academic achievement for years to come.

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