Ryan Abt (He/Him)
@ryanabt.bsky.social
History PhD in the intersection of Education (NYC & Texas), anti-racism, & Holocaust Memory. I also have opinions based on my evangelical upbringing and my anabaptist views.
Protect immigrants, Protect LGBTQ+, Protect PoC, Protect everyone!
Views my own
Protect immigrants, Protect LGBTQ+, Protect PoC, Protect everyone!
Views my own
Pinned
Ryan Abt (He/Him)
@ryanabt.bsky.social
· Jun 20
It’s Juneteenth, so I’ve put together a list of history books that have helped me better understand slavery and its impact today. Knowing this can help us better secure the elusive equality for all promised at this nation’s founding.
Please make suggestions. Particularly by scholars of color.
1/
Please make suggestions. Particularly by scholars of color.
1/
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
MAGA 2024: This is not a democracy, it's a republic.
MAGA 2025: This is not a republic, it's a monarchy.
MAGA 2026: This is not a monarchy, it's a reich.
MAGA 2025: This is not a republic, it's a monarchy.
MAGA 2026: This is not a monarchy, it's a reich.
December 26, 2025 at 2:43 AM
MAGA 2024: This is not a democracy, it's a republic.
MAGA 2025: This is not a republic, it's a monarchy.
MAGA 2026: This is not a monarchy, it's a reich.
MAGA 2025: This is not a republic, it's a monarchy.
MAGA 2026: This is not a monarchy, it's a reich.
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
This quote is from a piece that’s 8 years old now.
Thinking about that time I got quoted in the National Review about Bari Weiss
December 26, 2025 at 2:51 AM
This quote is from a piece that’s 8 years old now.
🎯 I wrote on AskHistorians about this almost 5 years ago.
“Let’s try to avoid easy analogies that elide the long-running history of the American infatuation with violent control over the political process by vigilantism. Because if we don’t recognize that this is built into who we are as a nation…
“Let’s try to avoid easy analogies that elide the long-running history of the American infatuation with violent control over the political process by vigilantism. Because if we don’t recognize that this is built into who we are as a nation…
December 26, 2025 at 2:12 AM
🎯 I wrote on AskHistorians about this almost 5 years ago.
“Let’s try to avoid easy analogies that elide the long-running history of the American infatuation with violent control over the political process by vigilantism. Because if we don’t recognize that this is built into who we are as a nation…
“Let’s try to avoid easy analogies that elide the long-running history of the American infatuation with violent control over the political process by vigilantism. Because if we don’t recognize that this is built into who we are as a nation…
Just open corruption.
GOP operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, convicted election fraudsters, were paid $960,000 in the second quarter to secure a pardon for a former nursing-home operator who defrauded the government of $38 million. Trump pardoned the man, Joseph Schwartz, last month.
Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
Even some of the president’s closest advisers have been surprised by a number of the recent series of pardons.
www.wsj.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Just open corruption.
Going off on Trump for bombing terrorists in X country but not having done so when Biden or Obama did demonstrates that you are ok with extrajudicial killings violating sovereign territory that endanger civilians.
And if you are ok with that you should see how you are part of how we got here.
And if you are ok with that you should see how you are part of how we got here.
December 26, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Going off on Trump for bombing terrorists in X country but not having done so when Biden or Obama did demonstrates that you are ok with extrajudicial killings violating sovereign territory that endanger civilians.
And if you are ok with that you should see how you are part of how we got here.
And if you are ok with that you should see how you are part of how we got here.
“American Idol has always had a number of gospel songs in its…what’s that?”
Inaudible voice in earpiece
“Oh, I’m being told that doesn’t count.”
“Why not?” *pauses* “Oooooooh. Right. It wouldn’t be ‘American’ without the assumption that Black religion doesn’t count”
Inaudible voice in earpiece
“Oh, I’m being told that doesn’t count.”
“Why not?” *pauses* “Oooooooh. Right. It wouldn’t be ‘American’ without the assumption that Black religion doesn’t count”
'American Idol' comes to Jesus: How the show is embracing faith-based music and building a new audience
www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv...
www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv...
'American Idol' Comes to Jesus, Finds Rebirth in Faith-Based Music
'American Idol' is turning to faith music, creating new stars and building a new audience.
www.rollingstone.com
December 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
“American Idol has always had a number of gospel songs in its…what’s that?”
Inaudible voice in earpiece
“Oh, I’m being told that doesn’t count.”
“Why not?” *pauses* “Oooooooh. Right. It wouldn’t be ‘American’ without the assumption that Black religion doesn’t count”
Inaudible voice in earpiece
“Oh, I’m being told that doesn’t count.”
“Why not?” *pauses* “Oooooooh. Right. It wouldn’t be ‘American’ without the assumption that Black religion doesn’t count”
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
There’s no law that’s been passed, no ruling that’s come down to totally transform how we’re supposed to approach the damn mail, this is all elite consensus working to make it so through repetition.
December 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
There’s no law that’s been passed, no ruling that’s come down to totally transform how we’re supposed to approach the damn mail, this is all elite consensus working to make it so through repetition.
This has big Gen John Pope’s message to the Army of Virginia energy:
“I have come to you from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies; from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when he was found; whose policy has been attack and not defense.”
“I have come to you from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies; from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when he was found; whose policy has been attack and not defense.”
New Bari Weiss & CBS leadership note to staff—
“…Americans say they do not trust the press…To win back their trust, we have to work hard.”
“Sometimes it means telling unexpected stories…sometimes it means holding a piece about an important subject to make sure it is comprehensive and fair.”
“…Americans say they do not trust the press…To win back their trust, we have to work hard.”
“Sometimes it means telling unexpected stories…sometimes it means holding a piece about an important subject to make sure it is comprehensive and fair.”
December 25, 2025 at 3:05 AM
This has big Gen John Pope’s message to the Army of Virginia energy:
“I have come to you from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies; from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when he was found; whose policy has been attack and not defense.”
“I have come to you from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies; from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when he was found; whose policy has been attack and not defense.”
The idea that the money to invest in AI exists but would not/could not work to grow other—actually useful—industries and public good is absurd.
Running on 'we are going to kill the one sector of the economy keeping us from a second great depression' might not be such a great plan...
But I'm sure it would win on Bluesky.
But I'm sure it would win on Bluesky.
December 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The idea that the money to invest in AI exists but would not/could not work to grow other—actually useful—industries and public good is absurd.
Know what radicalized me?
In college an Ed Prof showed how the Texas Robin Hood plan worked. Learning that residents of poorer districts paid far higher property taxes for education but still had much less money for schools undermined everything I’d learned as a Conservative.
Instant rethinking.
In college an Ed Prof showed how the Texas Robin Hood plan worked. Learning that residents of poorer districts paid far higher property taxes for education but still had much less money for schools undermined everything I’d learned as a Conservative.
Instant rethinking.
December 24, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Know what radicalized me?
In college an Ed Prof showed how the Texas Robin Hood plan worked. Learning that residents of poorer districts paid far higher property taxes for education but still had much less money for schools undermined everything I’d learned as a Conservative.
Instant rethinking.
In college an Ed Prof showed how the Texas Robin Hood plan worked. Learning that residents of poorer districts paid far higher property taxes for education but still had much less money for schools undermined everything I’d learned as a Conservative.
Instant rethinking.
And it always has been. Look at the 1705 Virginia Act Concerning Servants and Slaves.
As the Virginians struggled to determine what unfree labor—slavery and indentured—meant, the connected demonstrated assumptions about Blackness, Jewishness, and Muslims that worked together differently to…
As the Virginians struggled to determine what unfree labor—slavery and indentured—meant, the connected demonstrated assumptions about Blackness, Jewishness, and Muslims that worked together differently to…
December 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
And it always has been. Look at the 1705 Virginia Act Concerning Servants and Slaves.
As the Virginians struggled to determine what unfree labor—slavery and indentured—meant, the connected demonstrated assumptions about Blackness, Jewishness, and Muslims that worked together differently to…
As the Virginians struggled to determine what unfree labor—slavery and indentured—meant, the connected demonstrated assumptions about Blackness, Jewishness, and Muslims that worked together differently to…
This is an important thing that historians show. The topics we speak about are usually not inevitable. They are contingent. We can and should work to stop these camps.
With all our might, honestly.
#OneLongNight
With all our might, honestly.
#OneLongNight
But I hope ONE LONG NIGHT clarifies just what is happening today. If we understand that what Congress has funded and the government is building are concentration camps, the stakes are obvious. The majority of Americans are, by and large, free to act and can undo this. It is more than possible. [2/2]
December 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This is an important thing that historians show. The topics we speak about are usually not inevitable. They are contingent. We can and should work to stop these camps.
With all our might, honestly.
#OneLongNight
With all our might, honestly.
#OneLongNight
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
One big Holocaust education issue in the US is that people don't know the difference between a concentration camp and an extermination camp (though the two were often linked), so they assume that people referring to a "concentration camp" are being unfairly hyperbolic in a case like this.
It remains wild to me that during the first trump administration there was a long debate over terminology after AOC (correctly) called border internment "concentration camps" and now having concentration camps is a core domestic policy.
The purpose of that stupid debate was to normalize the idea.
The purpose of that stupid debate was to normalize the idea.
Camps where tens of thousands of politically disfavored people will be concentrated.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
December 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
One big Holocaust education issue in the US is that people don't know the difference between a concentration camp and an extermination camp (though the two were often linked), so they assume that people referring to a "concentration camp" are being unfairly hyperbolic in a case like this.
Except “Ditch Guy”
If you hire Roel for tenure track you are getting a massive boost. And maybe some defensive fortifications.
If you hire Roel for tenure track you are getting a massive boost. And maybe some defensive fortifications.
December 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Except “Ditch Guy”
If you hire Roel for tenure track you are getting a massive boost. And maybe some defensive fortifications.
If you hire Roel for tenure track you are getting a massive boost. And maybe some defensive fortifications.
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
killing random people to make a statement about people you've decide they're associated with is how bigotry and fascist violence work.
December 24, 2025 at 5:12 AM
killing random people to make a statement about people you've decide they're associated with is how bigotry and fascist violence work.
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
The news about Harlequin translators getting fired en masse?
You should care about that. They're doing it there because they think nobody gives a shit about romance and so it's fine to experiment with it first.
You should care about that. They're doing it there because they think nobody gives a shit about romance and so it's fine to experiment with it first.
December 24, 2025 at 2:53 AM
The news about Harlequin translators getting fired en masse?
You should care about that. They're doing it there because they think nobody gives a shit about romance and so it's fine to experiment with it first.
You should care about that. They're doing it there because they think nobody gives a shit about romance and so it's fine to experiment with it first.
This is so middle class coded. My goodness.
Trump: If we build more housing, the price of homes will go down, and homeowners will lose their wealth.
December 24, 2025 at 2:10 AM
This is so middle class coded. My goodness.
No one who is serious about educating students should be calling for AI usage in classrooms let alone investing the funds of millions of educators in it.
if the president of the American Federation of Teachers—a union which represents not just primary and secondary school teachers, but also many college professors—cannot meaningfully distinguish between AI ed tech sales pitches and responsible pedagogy, she has no business representing educators.
December 24, 2025 at 1:14 AM
No one who is serious about educating students should be calling for AI usage in classrooms let alone investing the funds of millions of educators in it.
Remember, the president can sue you but he can’t be guilty of criminal acts against you.
It is crazy that the president can sue anyone while he is president by the way. There is always incentive to settle if he is office and it always effectively a bribe. Congress needs to eliminate that possibility
December 24, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Remember, the president can sue you but he can’t be guilty of criminal acts against you.
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
Part of a broader discussion, but I really liked this from iguana_on_a_stick in response to the common claim that "you have to do Great Man history because of the sources": www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori... 🗃️
What podcasts do historians here generally consider the most accurate and informative?
www.reddit.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Part of a broader discussion, but I really liked this from iguana_on_a_stick in response to the common claim that "you have to do Great Man history because of the sources": www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori... 🗃️
Trump has:
Sent residents to foreign concentration camps without due process
Sent the NG into American cities
Bombed foreign fishing boats
Detained citizens without due process
Slept through 3+ Cabinet level presidential praise sessions
All so dictators like Biden can’t forgive student loan debt.
Sent residents to foreign concentration camps without due process
Sent the NG into American cities
Bombed foreign fishing boats
Detained citizens without due process
Slept through 3+ Cabinet level presidential praise sessions
All so dictators like Biden can’t forgive student loan debt.
December 23, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Trump has:
Sent residents to foreign concentration camps without due process
Sent the NG into American cities
Bombed foreign fishing boats
Detained citizens without due process
Slept through 3+ Cabinet level presidential praise sessions
All so dictators like Biden can’t forgive student loan debt.
Sent residents to foreign concentration camps without due process
Sent the NG into American cities
Bombed foreign fishing boats
Detained citizens without due process
Slept through 3+ Cabinet level presidential praise sessions
All so dictators like Biden can’t forgive student loan debt.
Bring back social consequences for those who prove so glaringly wrong about the most pressing issues of our time.
Instead we let them such up social and financial capital.
Capital that would be much better used lifting voices of the women and PoC journalist recently fired around the country.
Instead we let them such up social and financial capital.
Capital that would be much better used lifting voices of the women and PoC journalist recently fired around the country.
"speaking of bulling that still needs to be done - ezra klein"
- a brilliant, on the fly transition, from a 1st time interviewer
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/cassandras
- a brilliant, on the fly transition, from a 1st time interviewer
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/cassandras
Fascism's Cassandras
Meeting the people who saw this coming (& why other denied the obvious)
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Bring back social consequences for those who prove so glaringly wrong about the most pressing issues of our time.
Instead we let them such up social and financial capital.
Capital that would be much better used lifting voices of the women and PoC journalist recently fired around the country.
Instead we let them such up social and financial capital.
Capital that would be much better used lifting voices of the women and PoC journalist recently fired around the country.
Reposted by Ryan Abt (He/Him)
“There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” — 1 of many portions of MLK’s most famous speech US schools’ll never teach
December 23, 2025 at 1:24 AM
“There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” — 1 of many portions of MLK’s most famous speech US schools’ll never teach
I’d just like to point out that Garland had every document we are seeing. So…I have very negative feelings about those Dems who think we have to shield institutions and the downstream shielding of people that policy necessitates.
December 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I’d just like to point out that Garland had every document we are seeing. So…I have very negative feelings about those Dems who think we have to shield institutions and the downstream shielding of people that policy necessitates.
Whew. Whole thread is important. But this part is so accurate.
This one made the news, because when boys at her school made deepfake porn of a little girl and her friends, she fought back and encouraged other girls to do so.
And she got expelled.
But it’s not normally that dramatic. Normally it’s just, we’re putting her in a different school…
And she got expelled.
But it’s not normally that dramatic. Normally it’s just, we’re putting her in a different school…
December 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Whew. Whole thread is important. But this part is so accurate.