Rachel Swarns
@rachelswarns.bsky.social
NYU professor. NYT contributing writer. Author of THE 272: the harrowing origin story of the Catholic Church and one family's indomitable will to survive. I write about history, race, life.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
When she's not reading submissions, CNF Editor Sufiya Abdur-Rahman is reading recent books by Rachel L. Swarns @rachelswarns.bsky.social and by CT 9 contributor Kristin Keane.
Cherry Tree is open for submissions til October 1 at cherrytree.submittable.com/submit
Cherry Tree is open for submissions til October 1 at cherrytree.submittable.com/submit
August 27, 2025 at 10:01 PM
When she's not reading submissions, CNF Editor Sufiya Abdur-Rahman is reading recent books by Rachel L. Swarns @rachelswarns.bsky.social and by CT 9 contributor Kristin Keane.
Cherry Tree is open for submissions til October 1 at cherrytree.submittable.com/submit
Cherry Tree is open for submissions til October 1 at cherrytree.submittable.com/submit
For those of us shaken by the news today and searching for some historical context to make sense of it all, I’m re-listening to this interview with Steven Hahn, the Pulitzer Prize winning historian of Reconstruction and, more recently, the author of Illiberal America.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/o...
Opinion | The Very American Roots of Trumpism
www.nytimes.com
June 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
For those of us shaken by the news today and searching for some historical context to make sense of it all, I’m re-listening to this interview with Steven Hahn, the Pulitzer Prize winning historian of Reconstruction and, more recently, the author of Illiberal America.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/o...
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
I loved telling this story. It is the story of slavery in the north, too often overlooked, and the story of the unexpected friendship between two women – one Black and one white – who confronted this history together. In these times, that feels like a balm.
June 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I loved telling this story. It is the story of slavery in the north, too often overlooked, and the story of the unexpected friendship between two women – one Black and one white – who confronted this history together. In these times, that feels like a balm.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
That marked the beginning of a journey that has carried Bruno from the archives in upstate New York – where she documented her family’s enslavement of scores of people – to Washington, DC where she finally met a descendant linked to a family her ancestors had enslaved.
June 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
That marked the beginning of a journey that has carried Bruno from the archives in upstate New York – where she documented her family’s enslavement of scores of people – to Washington, DC where she finally met a descendant linked to a family her ancestors had enslaved.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
Debra Bruno loved telling stories about her Dutch ancestors in upstate New York...until a historian told her: “If you have Dutch ancestors in the Hudson Valley, they were probably slave owners.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...
She Confronted a History of Enslavers in Her Family. Here’s What Happened.
www.nytimes.com
June 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Debra Bruno loved telling stories about her Dutch ancestors in upstate New York...until a historian told her: “If you have Dutch ancestors in the Hudson Valley, they were probably slave owners.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
I'm excited to be speaking about my forthcoming book, The Second Emancipation, at the Schomburg Library's Centennial Festival tomorrow at 1. www.publishersweekly.com/9781324092452
The Second Emancipation: Nkrumah, Pan-Africanism, and Global Blackness at High Tide by Howard W French
In this magisterial account, journalist French (Born in Blackness) revisits the history of the Pan-Africanist movement through t...
www.publishersweekly.com
June 13, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I'm excited to be speaking about my forthcoming book, The Second Emancipation, at the Schomburg Library's Centennial Festival tomorrow at 1. www.publishersweekly.com/9781324092452
Debra Bruno loved telling stories about her Dutch ancestors in upstate New York...until a historian told her: “If you have Dutch ancestors in the Hudson Valley, they were probably slave owners.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...
She Confronted a History of Enslavers in Her Family. Here’s What Happened.
www.nytimes.com
June 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Debra Bruno loved telling stories about her Dutch ancestors in upstate New York...until a historian told her: “If you have Dutch ancestors in the Hudson Valley, they were probably slave owners.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
RFK Jr. said multiple times during his house and senate hearings today that no scientists have been fired from federal agencies. Our reporting has shown that hundreds, if not thousands, of scientists have been let go from NIH/CDC/FDA
May 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
RFK Jr. said multiple times during his house and senate hearings today that no scientists have been fired from federal agencies. Our reporting has shown that hundreds, if not thousands, of scientists have been let go from NIH/CDC/FDA
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
You can read more here www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/w...
Pope Leo’s Creole Roots Evoke Sense of Connection From Some Catholics of Color
www.nytimes.com
May 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
You can read more here www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/w...
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
Pope Leo’s ancestors had roots in Black Catholic communities that were deeply impacted by the Church’s involvement in and support of slavery/segregation. That they held on to their faith and worked to make the Church responsive to a diverse flock – and produced our new pope! -- inspire me.
May 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Pope Leo’s ancestors had roots in Black Catholic communities that were deeply impacted by the Church’s involvement in and support of slavery/segregation. That they held on to their faith and worked to make the Church responsive to a diverse flock – and produced our new pope! -- inspire me.
Pope Leo’s ancestors had roots in Black Catholic communities that were deeply impacted by the Church’s involvement in and support of slavery/segregation. That they held on to their faith and worked to make the Church responsive to a diverse flock – and produced our new pope! -- inspire me.
May 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Pope Leo’s ancestors had roots in Black Catholic communities that were deeply impacted by the Church’s involvement in and support of slavery/segregation. That they held on to their faith and worked to make the Church responsive to a diverse flock – and produced our new pope! -- inspire me.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
Hidden legacies! Our new American pope was born in Chicago, but his maternal ancestors were Creoles of color from New Orleans, according to Jari Honora, a genealogist and family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection. #PopeLeoXIV
May 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Hidden legacies! Our new American pope was born in Chicago, but his maternal ancestors were Creoles of color from New Orleans, according to Jari Honora, a genealogist and family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection. #PopeLeoXIV
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
It's the story of America that we hold in our genes. ❤️💙
May 9, 2025 at 12:33 AM
It's the story of America that we hold in our genes. ❤️💙
Hidden legacies! Our new American pope was born in Chicago, but his maternal ancestors were Creoles of color from New Orleans, according to Jari Honora, a genealogist and family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection. #PopeLeoXIV
May 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Hidden legacies! Our new American pope was born in Chicago, but his maternal ancestors were Creoles of color from New Orleans, according to Jari Honora, a genealogist and family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection. #PopeLeoXIV
Join us! Hope to see you there!
A week from today-- FRIDAY MAY 9!
We are delighted to welcome @rachelswarns.bsky.social to Brown University for a talk. Free and open to the public: 4:00 pm.
We are delighted to welcome @rachelswarns.bsky.social to Brown University for a talk. Free and open to the public: 4:00 pm.
May 3, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Join us! Hope to see you there!
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
Though prolonged incidents of racism can lead to symptoms like those experienced with PTSD, I have heard stories from experts and interviewees that these experiences can also inspire activism and involvement in advocacy and civil rights.
April 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Though prolonged incidents of racism can lead to symptoms like those experienced with PTSD, I have heard stories from experts and interviewees that these experiences can also inspire activism and involvement in advocacy and civil rights.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
I have interviewed experts who explain that hate crimes instill fear, distrust, and psychological distress within affected communities. This often restricts freedom of movement and social interaction within a community.
April 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I have interviewed experts who explain that hate crimes instill fear, distrust, and psychological distress within affected communities. This often restricts freedom of movement and social interaction within a community.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
The effects of hate crimes are severe for adolescents, with young people experiencing anger, fear, and social withdrawal, studies show. Experts explain that when youths are not in a position to make sense of hate crime experiences, they internalize them in ways that impact their racial identity.
April 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The effects of hate crimes are severe for adolescents, with young people experiencing anger, fear, and social withdrawal, studies show. Experts explain that when youths are not in a position to make sense of hate crime experiences, they internalize them in ways that impact their racial identity.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
For many Black communities, the trauma of hate crimes does not end when the attack stops. Hate crimes can lead to mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, PTSD, and substance use, according to a 2023 article by the American Psychological Association.
April 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
For many Black communities, the trauma of hate crimes does not end when the attack stops. Hate crimes can lead to mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, PTSD, and substance use, according to a 2023 article by the American Psychological Association.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
Experts expressed that a community's desire for retaliation can lead to collective action, sometimes in a radical way.
Thank you @rachelswarns.bsky.social! This assignment has taught me a lot about the struggles my community faces.
Thank you @rachelswarns.bsky.social! This assignment has taught me a lot about the struggles my community faces.
April 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Experts expressed that a community's desire for retaliation can lead to collective action, sometimes in a radical way.
Thank you @rachelswarns.bsky.social! This assignment has taught me a lot about the struggles my community faces.
Thank you @rachelswarns.bsky.social! This assignment has taught me a lot about the struggles my community faces.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
I found my passion in journalism at 15 after experiencing anti-Asian hate and seeing reporters amplify my voice. Now, victims feel like their stories are not important just because the media moved on. In @rachelswarns.bsky.social’s class, I’m digging into how that silence fuels more hate.
Rachel Swarns (@rachelswarns.bsky.social)
NYU professor. NYT contributing writer. Author of THE 272: the harrowing origin story of the Catholic Church and one family's indomitable will to survive. I write about history, race, life.
rachelswarns.bsky.social
April 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I found my passion in journalism at 15 after experiencing anti-Asian hate and seeing reporters amplify my voice. Now, victims feel like their stories are not important just because the media moved on. In @rachelswarns.bsky.social’s class, I’m digging into how that silence fuels more hate.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
Some advocates say the mental health impacts of these laws corresponds with an increase in suicidiality. Transgender and gender-nonconforming teens in states that passed anti-trans laws targetting minors had up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts, according to a 2024 survey by the Trevor Project.
April 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Some advocates say the mental health impacts of these laws corresponds with an increase in suicidiality. Transgender and gender-nonconforming teens in states that passed anti-trans laws targetting minors had up to a 72% increase in suicide attempts, according to a 2024 survey by the Trevor Project.
Reposted by Rachel Swarns
The ACLU tracked 533 anti-LGBTQ bills nationwide in the 2024 legislative session, including hot topic items such as gender-affirming care bans for minors and "Don't Say Gay" laws. These laws, and several Trump administration executive orders, specifically target minors.
April 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The ACLU tracked 533 anti-LGBTQ bills nationwide in the 2024 legislative session, including hot topic items such as gender-affirming care bans for minors and "Don't Say Gay" laws. These laws, and several Trump administration executive orders, specifically target minors.