Say Burgin
@sayburgin.bsky.social
20th C US Historian. Author of Organizing Your Own: The White Fight for Black Power in Detroit (NYU Press 2024). Bylines @ The Nation, WaPo, HuffPo.
Reposted by Say Burgin
There it is.
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 31, 2025 at 1:30 PM
There it is.
Reposted by Say Burgin
Join us next Thursday October 2nd at 6:30 online for a conversation with Jo-Ann Morgan, Julius Fleming, La Donna Forsgren, and Courtney Thorsson for a conversation on Black Arts and the Black freedom struggle: www.eventbrite.com/e/cbfs-black...
CBFS: Black Arts, Black Spaces and Black Performance
Discussion on ties between the Black Panther Party's visual culture and the Black Arts Movement.
www.eventbrite.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Join us next Thursday October 2nd at 6:30 online for a conversation with Jo-Ann Morgan, Julius Fleming, La Donna Forsgren, and Courtney Thorsson for a conversation on Black Arts and the Black freedom struggle: www.eventbrite.com/e/cbfs-black...
"Yet the history of vagrancy laws shows that they were never about addressing thorny public policy problems like homelessness or crime, but instead about using state power to remove “undesirable” people from our communities."
time.com/7315567/vagr...
time.com/7315567/vagr...
time.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"Yet the history of vagrancy laws shows that they were never about addressing thorny public policy problems like homelessness or crime, but instead about using state power to remove “undesirable” people from our communities."
time.com/7315567/vagr...
time.com/7315567/vagr...
Reposted by Say Burgin
Actor Sterling Hayden reflecting on naming names to HUAC:
"I was a rat, a stoolie, and the names I named of those close friends were blacklisted and deprived of their livelihood."
"I don't think you have the foggiest notion of the contempt I have had for myself since the day I did that thing."
"I was a rat, a stoolie, and the names I named of those close friends were blacklisted and deprived of their livelihood."
"I don't think you have the foggiest notion of the contempt I have had for myself since the day I did that thing."
New from me — There’s been a lot of ink spilled since Charlie Kirk's murder about the "right" way to honor his death. Getting liberals fired from their jobs and forcing devoted civil servants to resign in disgust couldn’t be a more fitting tribute to his life.
Top FEMA official resigns after staffers ousted for negative Charlie Kirk comments
Employees have been warned their social media posts could impact employment.
www.thehandbasket.co
September 15, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Actor Sterling Hayden reflecting on naming names to HUAC:
"I was a rat, a stoolie, and the names I named of those close friends were blacklisted and deprived of their livelihood."
"I don't think you have the foggiest notion of the contempt I have had for myself since the day I did that thing."
"I was a rat, a stoolie, and the names I named of those close friends were blacklisted and deprived of their livelihood."
"I don't think you have the foggiest notion of the contempt I have had for myself since the day I did that thing."
"I don’t think we were as naïve as some folks have suggested. There were uncertainties. I think we had a sense of resolve, and I think it took a lot of courage."
Joseph McNeil, Young Spark in a Civil Rights Battle, Dies at 83 www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
Joseph McNeil, Young Spark in a Civil Rights Battle, Dies at 83 www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
Joseph McNeil, Young Spark in a Civil Rights Battle, Dies at 83
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"I don’t think we were as naïve as some folks have suggested. There were uncertainties. I think we had a sense of resolve, and I think it took a lot of courage."
Joseph McNeil, Young Spark in a Civil Rights Battle, Dies at 83 www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
Joseph McNeil, Young Spark in a Civil Rights Battle, Dies at 83 www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
The right hates for white people to know Black history, because it completely upends, not just whitewashed curriculum, but our families’ stories of self-help, hard work, and meritocracy.
Black history makes us confront the fact that those stories are partial at best and deeply distorted.
Black history makes us confront the fact that those stories are partial at best and deeply distorted.
August 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The right hates for white people to know Black history, because it completely upends, not just whitewashed curriculum, but our families’ stories of self-help, hard work, and meritocracy.
Black history makes us confront the fact that those stories are partial at best and deeply distorted.
Black history makes us confront the fact that those stories are partial at best and deeply distorted.
Reposted by Say Burgin
Reposting so it is less “quietly” done
What this means in practice is that 14K trans people will have to quit their federal employee jobs and find jobs that cover gender affirming care.
In other words, this is a purge of trans people from the civil service.
Lavender scare.
Everyone who participates is responsible
In other words, this is a purge of trans people from the civil service.
Lavender scare.
Everyone who participates is responsible
20 Aug 25 -- Trump admin quietly enacts new ban of reimbursement for gender related care through fed govt's largest health insurer regardless of age. 8m fed & 2m postal employees of which ~14k are trans -- will be affected. @rikiwilchins.bsky.social
August 20, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Reposting so it is less “quietly” done
In the archives looking at legal filings regarding Red Squads. And boy howdy am I getting past and present confused in my brain.
August 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
In the archives looking at legal filings regarding Red Squads. And boy howdy am I getting past and present confused in my brain.
Reposted by Say Burgin
say it again:
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
It's important to note here that we're not just talking about faculty & university staff. 100s of U.S. colleges are in towns or small cities where they form the major industry & lifeblood of the community. Loss of students -> loss of rent $, restaurant $, bars, bookstores, gaming stores...
The US could see a 30-40% decline in new international student enrollment, resulting in nearly $7 billion in lost revenue and more than 60,000 fewer American jobs. https://www.nafsa.org/fall-2025-international-student-enrollment-outlook-and-economic-impact
August 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
say it again:
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
Reposted by Say Burgin
Taner Akçam, Marianne Hirsch, and I introduce the Genocide and Holocaust Studies Crisis Network and call for immediate concrete measures to prevent further atrocity crimes and to protect civilians in Gaza.
As scholars of genocide, we demand an end to Israel’s atrocities | Open letter
Within weeks, 400 colleagues joined our organization. We say: it is not too late to save lives. End the genocide now
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Taner Akçam, Marianne Hirsch, and I introduce the Genocide and Holocaust Studies Crisis Network and call for immediate concrete measures to prevent further atrocity crimes and to protect civilians in Gaza.
Reposted by Say Burgin
on the falsehood of PBS / NPR’s demise spreading faster than the truth, digital liberalism shows its teeth: accepting defeat in mourning instead of taking responsibility for what could be if we worked towards it…
August 2, 2025 at 6:33 AM
on the falsehood of PBS / NPR’s demise spreading faster than the truth, digital liberalism shows its teeth: accepting defeat in mourning instead of taking responsibility for what could be if we worked towards it…
Reposted by Say Burgin
"The obligation of anyone who thinks of himself as responsible is to examine society and try to change it and to fight it — at no matter what risk. This is the only hope society has. This is the only way societies change."
August 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
"The obligation of anyone who thinks of himself as responsible is to examine society and try to change it and to fight it — at no matter what risk. This is the only hope society has. This is the only way societies change."
“Disgracefully, all of this is being done to cover up one of the greatest crimes of this century, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, a crime in which Columbia’s leadership is now fully complicit.
I spent decades at Columbia. I’m withdrawing my fall course due to its deal with Trump | Rashid Khalidi
I spent decades at Columbia. I’m withdrawing my fall course due to its deal with Trump | Rashid Khalidi
I spent decades at Columbia. I’m withdrawing my fall course due to its deal with Trump | Rashid Khalidi
The university’s draconian policies and new definition of antisemitism make much teaching impossible
www.theguardian.com
August 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
“Disgracefully, all of this is being done to cover up one of the greatest crimes of this century, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, a crime in which Columbia’s leadership is now fully complicit.
I spent decades at Columbia. I’m withdrawing my fall course due to its deal with Trump | Rashid Khalidi
I spent decades at Columbia. I’m withdrawing my fall course due to its deal with Trump | Rashid Khalidi
Reposted by Say Burgin
Yesterday, July 31 -- Faculty & staff protested the firing of four @brooklyncollege.bsky.social faculty members in violation of their academic freedom & as retaliation for protected first amendment speech. #BCFired4 📸 by @paulfrangipane.bsky.social
Read more here: psc-cuny.org/news-events/...
Read more here: psc-cuny.org/news-events/...
August 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Yesterday, July 31 -- Faculty & staff protested the firing of four @brooklyncollege.bsky.social faculty members in violation of their academic freedom & as retaliation for protected first amendment speech. #BCFired4 📸 by @paulfrangipane.bsky.social
Read more here: psc-cuny.org/news-events/...
Read more here: psc-cuny.org/news-events/...
Reposted by Say Burgin
Please amplify: Four adjunct women professors were fired from Brooklyn College in June for their pro-Palestine politics—a shameful attempt to appease the bullies of Congress before the Chancellor testified 2 wks ago.Please send a letter calling on CUNY to reinstate them. psc-cuny.org/issues/reins...
Reinstate the Fired Four at Brooklyn College - PSC CUNY
psc-cuny.org
August 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Please amplify: Four adjunct women professors were fired from Brooklyn College in June for their pro-Palestine politics—a shameful attempt to appease the bullies of Congress before the Chancellor testified 2 wks ago.Please send a letter calling on CUNY to reinstate them. psc-cuny.org/issues/reins...
The Quffa family in Gaza is facing extreme challenges just to survive, and every dollar donated will make a real difference for them. If you're able to support them, please consider clicking the link below to donate or sharing this with others who might be willing to help.
gofund.me/d026c139
gofund.me/d026c139
Donate to Urgent Aid for the Quffa Family in Gaza, organized by Nicole Wan
Rateb Quffa, and his wife, Haneen, and their two kids— 7-year-old Adam and 3-year-o… Nicole Wan needs your support for Urgent Aid for the Quffa Family in Gaza
gofund.me
July 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The Quffa family in Gaza is facing extreme challenges just to survive, and every dollar donated will make a real difference for them. If you're able to support them, please consider clicking the link below to donate or sharing this with others who might be willing to help.
gofund.me/d026c139
gofund.me/d026c139
Reposted by Say Burgin
Gaza Freedom Flotilla has released statement that Black labour leader Chris Smalls (Amazon Labour Union) faced violence that no one else on Handala did. He has been severely beaten in Israeli custody.
Smalls follows in legacy of Black radical tradition for Palestine. Labour must stand for Smalls.
Smalls follows in legacy of Black radical tradition for Palestine. Labour must stand for Smalls.
July 29, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Gaza Freedom Flotilla has released statement that Black labour leader Chris Smalls (Amazon Labour Union) faced violence that no one else on Handala did. He has been severely beaten in Israeli custody.
Smalls follows in legacy of Black radical tradition for Palestine. Labour must stand for Smalls.
Smalls follows in legacy of Black radical tradition for Palestine. Labour must stand for Smalls.
Harrowing
‘Hell on Earth’: Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison describe abuse
www.npr.org/2025/07/27/n...
‘Hell on Earth’: Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison describe abuse
www.npr.org/2025/07/27/n...
'Hell on Earth': Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison tell of brutal abuse
Deported under a little-known wartime law, more than 130 Venezuelans were sent from the U.S. to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Now released, several tell NPR they endured beatings, sexual a...
www.npr.org
July 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Harrowing
‘Hell on Earth’: Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison describe abuse
www.npr.org/2025/07/27/n...
‘Hell on Earth’: Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison describe abuse
www.npr.org/2025/07/27/n...
Reposted by Say Burgin
I am no constitutional scholar, but I can't help but feel that "the President gets to dictate what every university can teach and what every television station should broadcast" is closer to what the founding fathers were worried about when it comes to free speech than trigger warnings on syllabi.
July 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I am no constitutional scholar, but I can't help but feel that "the President gets to dictate what every university can teach and what every television station should broadcast" is closer to what the founding fathers were worried about when it comes to free speech than trigger warnings on syllabi.
Reposted by Say Burgin
Abysmal framing, once again from The NY Times: this is not a “fight” between equals but Trump’s unilateral attack on universities theorized by Chris Rufo and Steven Miler. And wtf: “the administration’s efforts to bring elite universities to heel”?
July 24, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Abysmal framing, once again from The NY Times: this is not a “fight” between equals but Trump’s unilateral attack on universities theorized by Chris Rufo and Steven Miler. And wtf: “the administration’s efforts to bring elite universities to heel”?
Reposted by Say Burgin
So…not antisemitism.
Linda McMahon on Columbia settlement: "This is a monumental victory for conservatives who wanted to do things on these elite campuses for a long time because we had such far left-leaning professors."
July 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
So…not antisemitism.
One thing PhD school didn’t train me for was how to deal with the flippant ways that male activists in the 1960s — and in oral histories today — can talk so glibly about sexual violence against and harassment of women.
Been doing this research for 15 years and I never get used to this part.
Been doing this research for 15 years and I never get used to this part.
a woman says " why do men have to behave like this " while looking at her watch
ALT: a woman says " why do men have to behave like this " while looking at her watch
media.tenor.com
July 23, 2025 at 3:36 PM
One thing PhD school didn’t train me for was how to deal with the flippant ways that male activists in the 1960s — and in oral histories today — can talk so glibly about sexual violence against and harassment of women.
Been doing this research for 15 years and I never get used to this part.
Been doing this research for 15 years and I never get used to this part.
Y’all I have three degrees, a book to my name, and I help run a bail fund. And for the life of me, I cannot trace all the various forms of bond and pretrial detention that the state made H Rap Brown suffer through. This is how the state made very good use of our barbaric cash bail system.
July 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Y’all I have three degrees, a book to my name, and I help run a bail fund. And for the life of me, I cannot trace all the various forms of bond and pretrial detention that the state made H Rap Brown suffer through. This is how the state made very good use of our barbaric cash bail system.
Reposted by Say Burgin
“If the universities—or in this case a university press—are not willing to stand up for what is core to their mission, I don’t know what they’re doing. What’s the point?”
Exclusive: Harvard publisher cancels entire journal issue on Palestine shortly before publication.
My latest.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
My latest.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Revealed: Harvard publisher cancels entire journal issue on Palestine shortly before publication
As Harvard’s feud with Trump escalated, so did tensions over an ‘education and Palestine’ issue of a prestigious journal. Scholars blame the ‘Palestine exception’ to academic freedom
www.theguardian.com
July 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
“If the universities—or in this case a university press—are not willing to stand up for what is core to their mission, I don’t know what they’re doing. What’s the point?”