Rafael Walker
@rafaelwalker.bsky.social
I write on literature and issues in higher ed || Associate Professor at Baruch College, CUNY || Editor of Nella Larsen’s *Passing* for Broadview Press https://tinyurl.com/2s3kt7w9 || Still fun! 🎡 🌈
baruch.academia.edu/RafaelWalker
baruch.academia.edu/RafaelWalker
Pinned
Rafael Walker
@rafaelwalker.bsky.social
· Mar 20
Realism after the Individual
A study of the transformation of the realist novel in the hands of early-twentieth-century American writers, who adapted this quintessentially nineteenth-century genre to the conditions of their age. ...
press.uchicago.edu
Elated to announce that my baby, "Realism after the Individual," has a stunning cover and is available for preorder! University of Chicago Press remains undefeated for making beautiful books.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Proofs for the Cambridge History of American Gay Autobiography, which includes my essay on Whitman! As niche as the volume sounds, I'm sure it'll appeal widely—because who doesn't wanna read generations of gays talking about themselves, or, in Whitman's case, as I argue, artfully refusing to?!
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Proofs for the Cambridge History of American Gay Autobiography, which includes my essay on Whitman! As niche as the volume sounds, I'm sure it'll appeal widely—because who doesn't wanna read generations of gays talking about themselves, or, in Whitman's case, as I argue, artfully refusing to?!
I can't tell you how significant it is that Manhattan went for our boyfriend Mamdani. When, in these streets, I found white, often straight finance bros rooting for ZM, I knew we had something. People are understanding that voting for their economic interests doesn't mean voting for their tax breaks
November 5, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I can't tell you how significant it is that Manhattan went for our boyfriend Mamdani. When, in these streets, I found white, often straight finance bros rooting for ZM, I knew we had something. People are understanding that voting for their economic interests doesn't mean voting for their tax breaks
Reposted by Rafael Walker
I am so thrilled—really! But how long do we have to keep saying that it's high time to vote Staten Island *off* the island! We just are not the same.
November 5, 2025 at 2:47 AM
I am so thrilled—really! But how long do we have to keep saying that it's high time to vote Staten Island *off* the island! We just are not the same.
These two stories in today's WSJ make it clear that we all should be reading the Grapes of Wrath right now and make me all the surer about having cast my (early!) vote for Mamdani this morning.
This one:
www.wsj.com/business/bil...
This one:
www.wsj.com/business/bil...
How U.S. Billionaires Stack Up With the Rest of the World
There are 3,508 billionaires on the planet. Americans dominate their collective wealth.
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
These two stories in today's WSJ make it clear that we all should be reading the Grapes of Wrath right now and make me all the surer about having cast my (early!) vote for Mamdani this morning.
This one:
www.wsj.com/business/bil...
This one:
www.wsj.com/business/bil...
Our Black & Latino Studies Department is hiring a tenured associate professor in black and/or Latino queer studies (open discipline)! I'm so excited about this hire—excited enough to have agreed to serve on the search committee! Please spread the news. Baruch's great, and so is NYC!
Jobs | City University of New York
cuny.jobs
October 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Our Black & Latino Studies Department is hiring a tenured associate professor in black and/or Latino queer studies (open discipline)! I'm so excited about this hire—excited enough to have agreed to serve on the search committee! Please spread the news. Baruch's great, and so is NYC!
A clear-eyed explanation of the dangers to universities posed by the push for "viewpoint diversity," written by one of the clearest-eyed analysts of argumentation, Amanda Anderson.
www.chronicle.com/article/when...
www.chronicle.com/article/when...
Opinion | When Viewpoint Diversity Means Conformity
Trump’s compact isn’t just coercive. It’s incoherent.
www.chronicle.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A clear-eyed explanation of the dangers to universities posed by the push for "viewpoint diversity," written by one of the clearest-eyed analysts of argumentation, Amanda Anderson.
www.chronicle.com/article/when...
www.chronicle.com/article/when...
Happy to announce that both my departments—English and Black & Latino Studies (BLS)—are hiring for TT positions this year!
In English, we're hiring in Anglophone South Asian.
cuny.jobs/new-york-ny/...
In English, we're hiring in Anglophone South Asian.
cuny.jobs/new-york-ny/...
Jobs | City University of New York
cuny.jobs
October 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Happy to announce that both my departments—English and Black & Latino Studies (BLS)—are hiring for TT positions this year!
In English, we're hiring in Anglophone South Asian.
cuny.jobs/new-york-ny/...
In English, we're hiring in Anglophone South Asian.
cuny.jobs/new-york-ny/...
Remember that every IG photo you see taken on a busy Manhattan street was taken at the expense of people trying to get somewhere. DO NOT PRESS THE “LIKE” BUTTON!!!
September 19, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Remember that every IG photo you see taken on a busy Manhattan street was taken at the expense of people trying to get somewhere. DO NOT PRESS THE “LIKE” BUTTON!!!
Surely, this is the worst-aging book of this century. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/302858...
The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker: 9780143122012 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
“If I could give each of you a graduation present, it would be this—the most inspiring book I've ever read." —Bill Gates A provocative history of violence—from the New York Times...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Surely, this is the worst-aging book of this century. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/302858...
Reposted by Rafael Walker
My friend John died this morning.
I mention him in HANGING OUT and, in light of his passing, I can’t help but indulge in memories of our annual backcountry dinner parties.
I mention him in HANGING OUT and, in light of his passing, I can’t help but indulge in memories of our annual backcountry dinner parties.
August 12, 2025 at 12:41 AM
My friend John died this morning.
I mention him in HANGING OUT and, in light of his passing, I can’t help but indulge in memories of our annual backcountry dinner parties.
I mention him in HANGING OUT and, in light of his passing, I can’t help but indulge in memories of our annual backcountry dinner parties.
As I watch Cuo-NO’s campaign pivot to free transit for NYers who earn under a certain amount—essentially signing on to a program that exists already (peak desperation!)—I wonder afresh at the audacity of a person who had a big job, fucked up that big job, and thinks he should have another big job.
August 12, 2025 at 12:32 AM
As I watch Cuo-NO’s campaign pivot to free transit for NYers who earn under a certain amount—essentially signing on to a program that exists already (peak desperation!)—I wonder afresh at the audacity of a person who had a big job, fucked up that big job, and thinks he should have another big job.
Reposted by Rafael Walker
BLOCKED AND REPORTED
Everything is ready to go for fall—syllabi printed, Canvas shells up, lesson plans are prepped. So I'm doing what any normal person does: starting course prep for fall 2026. 🤦♀️ Why am I Like This?
August 7, 2025 at 6:33 PM
BLOCKED AND REPORTED
And all that they could find on Obama is that he wore a tan suit. 😔
Exclusive: The Justice Department told President Trump in May that his name is among many in the Epstein files.
Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files
Bondi told president at the meeting that Justice also decided to not release more Jeffrey Epstein documents because of the presence of child pornography and the need to protect victims.
on.wsj.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
And all that they could find on Obama is that he wore a tan suit. 😔
I did not know that Bruno Mars has 16 Grammys.
July 3, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I did not know that Bruno Mars has 16 Grammys.
Forgot about this moment in George Schuyler's 1931 novel *Black No More*, but whoa! 🤯
"You can't deport citizens, silly," Buddy remonstrated.
"That don't stop you from advocating it. This is politics, Big Boy."
"You can't deport citizens, silly," Buddy remonstrated.
"That don't stop you from advocating it. This is politics, Big Boy."
June 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Forgot about this moment in George Schuyler's 1931 novel *Black No More*, but whoa! 🤯
"You can't deport citizens, silly," Buddy remonstrated.
"That don't stop you from advocating it. This is politics, Big Boy."
"You can't deport citizens, silly," Buddy remonstrated.
"That don't stop you from advocating it. This is politics, Big Boy."
Reposted by Rafael Walker
Mamdani wins the primary with hearty support from the Jewish left, cross-endorses with Brad Lander, wins the Upper West Side, wins Dan Goldman's district, gets Jerry Nadler's endorsement
The NYT:
The NYT:
June 26, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Mamdani wins the primary with hearty support from the Jewish left, cross-endorses with Brad Lander, wins the Upper West Side, wins Dan Goldman's district, gets Jerry Nadler's endorsement
The NYT:
The NYT:
Call me a pessimist, but I'm not rejoicing yet. If Cuomo runs as an independent, he gets both his initial Dem supporters (a considerable number) AND Republicans.
June 25, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Call me a pessimist, but I'm not rejoicing yet. If Cuomo runs as an independent, he gets both his initial Dem supporters (a considerable number) AND Republicans.
Reposted by Rafael Walker
you know shit's bad when kathy's cursing
Yeah you’ve got hochul uploading an official nygov social video calling lander’s arrest, and I’m quoting here, “bullshit.” They think the feds have overreached and are vulnerable.
June 17, 2025 at 9:06 PM
you know shit's bad when kathy's cursing
TFW the IRS mails you a certified letter because you owe them $5.23. 🙄
June 17, 2025 at 11:05 PM
TFW the IRS mails you a certified letter because you owe them $5.23. 🙄
OMG, Bruce Robbins activates full BEAST mode in this interview!
June 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
OMG, Bruce Robbins activates full BEAST mode in this interview!
Reposted by Rafael Walker
📍WED. 4/23 at 10:00am ET: @ramyakrishnan.bsky.social will appear before a federal court in our challenge to Trump's policy of arresting, detaining, and deporting noncitizen students and faculty who participate in pro-Palestinian protests. Register to listen:
forms.mad.uscourts.gov/seating-sign...
forms.mad.uscourts.gov/seating-sign...
Request for Courtroom Seating/Audio Access
forms.mad.uscourts.gov
April 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
📍WED. 4/23 at 10:00am ET: @ramyakrishnan.bsky.social will appear before a federal court in our challenge to Trump's policy of arresting, detaining, and deporting noncitizen students and faculty who participate in pro-Palestinian protests. Register to listen:
forms.mad.uscourts.gov/seating-sign...
forms.mad.uscourts.gov/seating-sign...
We do not talk enough about how unhelpful it is that three train stations in the northeast corridor are named Penn station.
April 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
We do not talk enough about how unhelpful it is that three train stations in the northeast corridor are named Penn station.
Reposted by Rafael Walker
Very thoughtful piece on Junot Diaz by @rafaelwalker.bsky.social .
I've been uneasy about Junot Díaz's treatment by the mainstream media for a while now, but seeing him get nixed from the Norton anthology was the last straw for me. I've put my thoughts down here. Thanks, as usual, to my editor, Len Gutkin!
www.chronicle.com/article/juno...
www.chronicle.com/article/juno...
Opinion | Junot Díaz’s Forced Disappearing Act
The great writer has been exiled from the Norton anthology.
www.chronicle.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Very thoughtful piece on Junot Diaz by @rafaelwalker.bsky.social .
I've been uneasy about Junot Díaz's treatment by the mainstream media for a while now, but seeing him get nixed from the Norton anthology was the last straw for me. I've put my thoughts down here. Thanks, as usual, to my editor, Len Gutkin!
www.chronicle.com/article/juno...
www.chronicle.com/article/juno...
Opinion | Junot Díaz’s Forced Disappearing Act
The great writer has been exiled from the Norton anthology.
www.chronicle.com
April 15, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I've been uneasy about Junot Díaz's treatment by the mainstream media for a while now, but seeing him get nixed from the Norton anthology was the last straw for me. I've put my thoughts down here. Thanks, as usual, to my editor, Len Gutkin!
www.chronicle.com/article/juno...
www.chronicle.com/article/juno...