Nate Holdren
@nhold.bsky.social
Hey bluesky. Historian. In decline. Views expressed here are those of a future insightful majority.
Pinned
Nate Holdren
@nhold.bsky.social
· May 29
harrumph. harrumph, I say!
Reposted by Nate Holdren
Periodic reminder: I have a new book coming out at the end of March. Let me know if you want me to visit your class, reading group, etc. and talk about it.
Please also let me know if you have any interest in reviewing it:
brill.com/display/titl...
Please also let me know if you have any interest in reviewing it:
brill.com/display/titl...
brill.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Periodic reminder: I have a new book coming out at the end of March. Let me know if you want me to visit your class, reading group, etc. and talk about it.
Please also let me know if you have any interest in reviewing it:
brill.com/display/titl...
Please also let me know if you have any interest in reviewing it:
brill.com/display/titl...
Reposted by Nate Holdren
They should re-release The KKK Took My Baby away and give the proceeds to anti-ICE groups.
February 1, 2026 at 5:27 PM
They should re-release The KKK Took My Baby away and give the proceeds to anti-ICE groups.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
"The border is a factory for making racism and racist violence."
Since there's been some conversation about historical analogies for the present stuff with ICE, I figured I'd share this. In it I argue the similarity between (opposition to) border enforcement and (the effort to abolish) slavery.
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
Against The Border Power
As I’ve mentioned while back I wrote a letter to Little Village saying deportation as such is wrong, that we should think of it as something like slavery and...
buttondown.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:44 AM
"The border is a factory for making racism and racist violence."
Reposted by Nate Holdren
Listen to this!!!
In today’s episode, @nhold.bsky.social returns to discuss how deportation is unjustifiable state violence no matter one’s immigration status or citizenship, and how that violence is naturalized when demands are framed around who or what is “legal”
on.soundcloud.com/HjCstFKypwOY...
on.soundcloud.com/HjCstFKypwOY...
Deportation Is State Violence w/ Nate Holdren (Unlocked)
This episode was originally released December 1st for Death Panel patrons and is being unlocked today for the first time. To support the show and help make episodes like this one possible, become a pa
soundcloud.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Listen to this!!!
Reposted by Nate Holdren
you want to read this and share it everywhere. it is very good.
Since there's been some conversation about historical analogies for the present stuff with ICE, I figured I'd share this. In it I argue the similarity between (opposition to) border enforcement and (the effort to abolish) slavery.
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
Against The Border Power
As I’ve mentioned while back I wrote a letter to Little Village saying deportation as such is wrong, that we should think of it as something like slavery and...
buttondown.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:39 AM
you want to read this and share it everywhere. it is very good.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
Excellent essay on how The Border functions as a corrupting institution much like slavery did in the past.
Since there's been some conversation about historical analogies for the present stuff with ICE, I figured I'd share this. In it I argue the similarity between (opposition to) border enforcement and (the effort to abolish) slavery.
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
Against The Border Power
As I’ve mentioned while back I wrote a letter to Little Village saying deportation as such is wrong, that we should think of it as something like slavery and...
buttondown.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Excellent essay on how The Border functions as a corrupting institution much like slavery did in the past.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
This is literal horror, and worse than actual prison.
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Exclusive: Detention Center Captives Are Throwing Lotion Bottles Wrapped With Notes to Organizers Outside Otay Mesa Facility ~ L.A. TACO
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh," an Otay Mesa captive communicated through handwritten note. "We are all in one big room with no doors...
lataco.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:25 AM
This is literal horror, and worse than actual prison.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
stuff like this is why i have trouble with the incrementalism and slow-walking from dems. this is happening *right now*
The proposed centers are so large that some could house as many as 8,000 detainees at once, according to a DHS spreadsheet of more than 20 potential locations that was verified by NBC News. The largest federal prison in the U.S., for example, has roughly 4,000 inmates.
ICE plans to build mega warehouses for immigration detention spark growing concern
Sources at two government contractors told NBC News they were worried that new warehouses — and the large numbers of immigrants who would be housed in them — would present safety problems.
www.nbcnews.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:45 AM
stuff like this is why i have trouble with the incrementalism and slow-walking from dems. this is happening *right now*
Reposted by Nate Holdren
NYT confirming MS NOW reporting:
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:10 PM
NYT confirming MS NOW reporting:
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
In today’s episode, @nhold.bsky.social returns to discuss how deportation is unjustifiable state violence no matter one’s immigration status or citizenship, and how that violence is naturalized when demands are framed around who or what is “legal”
on.soundcloud.com/HjCstFKypwOY...
on.soundcloud.com/HjCstFKypwOY...
Deportation Is State Violence w/ Nate Holdren (Unlocked)
This episode was originally released December 1st for Death Panel patrons and is being unlocked today for the first time. To support the show and help make episodes like this one possible, become a pa
soundcloud.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:54 PM
In today’s episode, @nhold.bsky.social returns to discuss how deportation is unjustifiable state violence no matter one’s immigration status or citizenship, and how that violence is naturalized when demands are framed around who or what is “legal”
on.soundcloud.com/HjCstFKypwOY...
on.soundcloud.com/HjCstFKypwOY...
defeating me is kinda redundant but the loot drop'd be
- bunch of Raymond Williams books
- cheap walkman with a busted belt clip
- 4 or 5 Godflesh tapes
- water bottle with a janky lid
- 3 or 4 big stacks of napkins
- legal pad with 2 blank pages, written pages incomprehensible
- bunch of Raymond Williams books
- cheap walkman with a busted belt clip
- 4 or 5 Godflesh tapes
- water bottle with a janky lid
- 3 or 4 big stacks of napkins
- legal pad with 2 blank pages, written pages incomprehensible
my loot drops when you defeat me would be:
- EXPO dry erase markers (i barely use these anymore but every suit jacket i own has these)
- know your rights cards
- business cards from academics i met at conferences years ago
- receipts from Popeye's
- rare drop: cat stickers from our library
- EXPO dry erase markers (i barely use these anymore but every suit jacket i own has these)
- know your rights cards
- business cards from academics i met at conferences years ago
- receipts from Popeye's
- rare drop: cat stickers from our library
my loot drops when you defeat me would be:
- roll of dog poop bags
- costco sized pack of baby wipes
- novelty baseball cap
- banana boat SPF 50
- one 510 thread battery
- a bagel
- roll of dog poop bags
- costco sized pack of baby wipes
- novelty baseball cap
- banana boat SPF 50
- one 510 thread battery
- a bagel
February 8, 2026 at 3:54 AM
defeating me is kinda redundant but the loot drop'd be
- bunch of Raymond Williams books
- cheap walkman with a busted belt clip
- 4 or 5 Godflesh tapes
- water bottle with a janky lid
- 3 or 4 big stacks of napkins
- legal pad with 2 blank pages, written pages incomprehensible
- bunch of Raymond Williams books
- cheap walkman with a busted belt clip
- 4 or 5 Godflesh tapes
- water bottle with a janky lid
- 3 or 4 big stacks of napkins
- legal pad with 2 blank pages, written pages incomprehensible
Reposted by Nate Holdren
You can very clearly see this is county sheriffs and others brutalizing demonstrators now.
February 7, 2026 at 9:32 PM
You can very clearly see this is county sheriffs and others brutalizing demonstrators now.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
Getting word and video from whipple that there are mass arrests happening by state police and sheriffs against peaceful protestors now.
February 7, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Getting word and video from whipple that there are mass arrests happening by state police and sheriffs against peaceful protestors now.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
The Crespo-Gonzalez family is home.
Our community refused to stay silent in the face of such an immoral, unethical detention. Now, we must continue speaking up for the countless other families and children imprisoned by Trump.
Stay loud.
Our community refused to stay silent in the face of such an immoral, unethical detention. Now, we must continue speaking up for the countless other families and children imprisoned by Trump.
Stay loud.
February 7, 2026 at 7:54 PM
The Crespo-Gonzalez family is home.
Our community refused to stay silent in the face of such an immoral, unethical detention. Now, we must continue speaking up for the countless other families and children imprisoned by Trump.
Stay loud.
Our community refused to stay silent in the face of such an immoral, unethical detention. Now, we must continue speaking up for the countless other families and children imprisoned by Trump.
Stay loud.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
Martin, an 18-year-old citizen and soccer player, traveled with his Madison-area team to Minneapolis for a Futsal tournament (which my kid's team was going to play in, then opted out). While there, ICE stopped Martin and took his mom, who has been detained since.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Mother's immigration arrest leaves Madison soccer standout reeling
Federal immigration agents detained a Madison soccer player's mother while she was in Minnesota for her son's games. Now, he's struggling.
www.jsonline.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Martin, an 18-year-old citizen and soccer player, traveled with his Madison-area team to Minneapolis for a Futsal tournament (which my kid's team was going to play in, then opted out). While there, ICE stopped Martin and took his mom, who has been detained since.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Nate Holdren
MPD just dismantled a blockade in Minneapolis, helping ICE to move more freely through the city.
February 7, 2026 at 6:06 PM
MPD just dismantled a blockade in Minneapolis, helping ICE to move more freely through the city.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
My extremely hot take, as a community college faculty member who generally teaches 5 history classes per semester, is that I could totally do any history superstar's job but none of them could do mine.
February 7, 2026 at 7:34 PM
My extremely hot take, as a community college faculty member who generally teaches 5 history classes per semester, is that I could totally do any history superstar's job but none of them could do mine.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
There’s a “superstar” layer at every R1 institution I’ve been at that isn’t composed of academics in any sense I recognize. They’re there so the institution can claim them, but they use the university as a launchpad to contracts and speaking engagements. They’re not teaching the intro classes.
February 7, 2026 at 4:26 PM
There’s a “superstar” layer at every R1 institution I’ve been at that isn’t composed of academics in any sense I recognize. They’re there so the institution can claim them, but they use the university as a launchpad to contracts and speaking engagements. They’re not teaching the intro classes.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
Update: They succeeded: www.mississippifreepress.org/byhalia-ice-...
February 7, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Update: They succeeded: www.mississippifreepress.org/byhalia-ice-...
This is incredibly awful, heartbreaking stuff. I also think it's very important that the response to this be long lasting. Our response to conditions worsening for immigrants under Trump should be to raise our standards for today and in perpetuity.
This is Maria, a 6-year-old detained by ICE last year.
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
February 6, 2026 at 9:28 PM
This is incredibly awful, heartbreaking stuff. I also think it's very important that the response to this be long lasting. Our response to conditions worsening for immigrants under Trump should be to raise our standards for today and in perpetuity.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
I wrote about the strangeness of following events in Minneapolis—where I'm from—and watching a citizenship naturalization ceremony in St. Louis, which is my home now. Not sure if anyone wants or needs more words about these things, but here are mine.
jeffmanuel.com/blog-1/2026/...
jeffmanuel.com/blog-1/2026/...
Reflections on Minneapolis While Watching a Citizenship Naturalization Ceremony – Jeff Manuel
jeffmanuel.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:04 PM
I wrote about the strangeness of following events in Minneapolis—where I'm from—and watching a citizenship naturalization ceremony in St. Louis, which is my home now. Not sure if anyone wants or needs more words about these things, but here are mine.
jeffmanuel.com/blog-1/2026/...
jeffmanuel.com/blog-1/2026/...
Reposted by Nate Holdren
BREAKING: 4 students at the University of Minnesota are currently chained to Morrill Hall, demanding that their school end all cooperations with ICE and establish itself as a sanctuary campus.
February 6, 2026 at 8:08 PM
BREAKING: 4 students at the University of Minnesota are currently chained to Morrill Hall, demanding that their school end all cooperations with ICE and establish itself as a sanctuary campus.
Reposted by Nate Holdren
always read nate (i'm dangling this in front of my face like a carrot as inducement to write a particularly unpleasant email right now)
Since there's been some conversation about historical analogies for the present stuff with ICE, I figured I'd share this. In it I argue the similarity between (opposition to) border enforcement and (the effort to abolish) slavery.
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
buttondown.com/nateholdren/...
Against The Border Power
As I’ve mentioned while back I wrote a letter to Little Village saying deportation as such is wrong, that we should think of it as something like slavery and...
buttondown.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:32 PM
always read nate (i'm dangling this in front of my face like a carrot as inducement to write a particularly unpleasant email right now)