Susan Kiyo Ito
@thesusanito.bsky.social
Writer, adoptee, author of memoir I Would Meet You Anywhere, National Book Critics Circle finalist. 🥚 website: http://www.thesusanito.com member of the Writers Grotto
Pinned
Susan Kiyo Ito
@thesusanito.bsky.social
· Aug 10
Heyyy I’m teaching a memoir structure class in the fall— love to see you there. writersgrotto.org/classes-and-...
I have a very limited number of discount codes available so if you need one, DM me. Priority for adoptees and/or BIPOC writers but all will be considered. 🥚
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
I was just thinking about contributing to the "charity" Feeding America. Until I discovered that the salary for its CEO, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, was approximately $949,866 in 2024, with her total compensation being $1,113,502. Apparently, feeding America isn't her top priority.
November 26, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I was just thinking about contributing to the "charity" Feeding America. Until I discovered that the salary for its CEO, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, was approximately $949,866 in 2024, with her total compensation being $1,113,502. Apparently, feeding America isn't her top priority.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
The CDC has turned off its vaccine search tool.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The CDC has turned off its vaccine search tool.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
Ughhh I wish I’d done this the past 15 years 😭
Just a gentle reminder to save PDFs of the work you published this year especially in digital publications because you could look up one day and find that that pub doesn’t exist anymore and isn’t archived anywhere and is just gone
Ask me how I know!
Ask me how I know!
November 25, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Ughhh I wish I’d done this the past 15 years 😭
It’s just cruel to students and faculty that colleges only give Thursday and Friday off this week. 😫
November 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
It’s just cruel to students and faculty that colleges only give Thursday and Friday off this week. 😫
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
"I’m thinking about the bleached bones O’Keeffe collected as her symbols of the desert. I’m remembering that, like O’Keeffe, my parents initially came to the desert from the East Coast hoping for a kind of renewal." @jennyqi.bsky.social
therumpus.net/2025/11/18/p...
therumpus.net/2025/11/18/p...
Picking Up Bones - The Rumpus
“During all the years I’d lived in Las Vegas as a child, I’d felt like an animal trying to escape the harsh environs. In addition to the physical harshness, the desert represented, for me, the city’s ...
therumpus.net
November 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
"I’m thinking about the bleached bones O’Keeffe collected as her symbols of the desert. I’m remembering that, like O’Keeffe, my parents initially came to the desert from the East Coast hoping for a kind of renewal." @jennyqi.bsky.social
therumpus.net/2025/11/18/p...
therumpus.net/2025/11/18/p...
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
LP Kindred is a non-traditional student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in need of help with tuition.
They're in their 40s & working on a BFA in Writing. Their work has appeared on LeVar Burton Reads podcast, Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturism Festival & they're a 3x Ignyte Award nominee.
They're in their 40s & working on a BFA in Writing. Their work has appeared on LeVar Burton Reads podcast, Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturism Festival & they're a 3x Ignyte Award nominee.
to stick with it!
Anything you could share is welcome! Any sharing with your network also helps! And I'm already grateful! Thank you so much!
gofund.me/ce21d48c2
Anything you could share is welcome! Any sharing with your network also helps! And I'm already grateful! Thank you so much!
gofund.me/ce21d48c2
Donate to Keep LP in School Spring 2026, organized by LP Kindred
Hey y'all,
I'm LP Kindred, a Chicagoan-Angeleno writer/editor/teaching artist/culture work… LP Kindred needs your support for Keep LP in School Spring 2026
gofund.me
November 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
LP Kindred is a non-traditional student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in need of help with tuition.
They're in their 40s & working on a BFA in Writing. Their work has appeared on LeVar Burton Reads podcast, Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturism Festival & they're a 3x Ignyte Award nominee.
They're in their 40s & working on a BFA in Writing. Their work has appeared on LeVar Burton Reads podcast, Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturism Festival & they're a 3x Ignyte Award nominee.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
All this to say that Elon is a white supremacist mass murderer and DOGE was not a failure. It functioned as designed. I wish people would cover this accurately. It's not difficult.
November 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
All this to say that Elon is a white supremacist mass murderer and DOGE was not a failure. It functioned as designed. I wish people would cover this accurately. It's not difficult.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
This colonial horror is happening now in Denmark.
Greenlandic families fight to get children back after parenting tests banned
Greenlandic families fight to get children back after parenting tests banned
The Danish government has banned the use of parental competency tests, known as FKUs, on Greenlandic families after decades of criticism.
www.bbc.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:24 AM
This colonial horror is happening now in Denmark.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
I tried to do what my good friend LP is doing and finish my bachelors degree as a working professional. I failed, but if I’d had this community back then, it would have meant everything to have this happen. It would mean everything now to see my friend get to do this. Let’s share far and wide, ok?
to stick with it!
Anything you could share is welcome! Any sharing with your network also helps! And I'm already grateful! Thank you so much!
gofund.me/ce21d48c2
Anything you could share is welcome! Any sharing with your network also helps! And I'm already grateful! Thank you so much!
gofund.me/ce21d48c2
Donate to Keep LP in School Spring 2026, organized by LP Kindred
Hey y'all,
I'm LP Kindred, a Chicagoan-Angeleno writer/editor/teaching artist/culture work… LP Kindred needs your support for Keep LP in School Spring 2026
gofund.me
November 20, 2025 at 3:38 AM
I tried to do what my good friend LP is doing and finish my bachelors degree as a working professional. I failed, but if I’d had this community back then, it would have meant everything to have this happen. It would mean everything now to see my friend get to do this. Let’s share far and wide, ok?
In a mad attempt to stave off the AI beast, i introduced my students to letterpress printing this week.
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 AM
In a mad attempt to stave off the AI beast, i introduced my students to letterpress printing this week.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
it’s been a while since I mentioned that i created a feed for posts by people who are adopted/trafficked/purchased out of their original families. please consider adding it. And if you would like to post to it, please let me know in a reply. 🥚
November 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
it’s been a while since I mentioned that i created a feed for posts by people who are adopted/trafficked/purchased out of their original families. please consider adding it. And if you would like to post to it, please let me know in a reply. 🥚
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
There is no such thing as unskilled labor, only devalued labor.
“Ale" works in the carrot harvest in CA. She earns $3.05 for every box of carrots she packs. One box has 24 bunches of 7 carrots each. To earn $100 she has to pack 34 boxes or 816 bunches which represents over 5000 carrots picked in a day. #WeFeedYou
November 16, 2025 at 7:40 PM
There is no such thing as unskilled labor, only devalued labor.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
I invented a thing called Admin Night and I've come to recruit for it. Get hip to the tiny obligations grinding us down, isolating us and stealing our time! Wake up to the structural reasons why! Get shit done! Admin Night is fun and funny and helpful! Start your own!
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
Essay | How to Turn the Bureaucratic Grind of Life into a Party
We all feel it: the growing stream of administrative tasks sapping our time, spirits and social lives. Admin Night represents a tiny, nerdy resistance.
www.wsj.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I invented a thing called Admin Night and I've come to recruit for it. Get hip to the tiny obligations grinding us down, isolating us and stealing our time! Wake up to the structural reasons why! Get shit done! Admin Night is fun and funny and helpful! Start your own!
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
November 15, 2025 at 6:12 AM
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
Reinstate Sarah Kendzior
November 12, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Reinstate Sarah Kendzior
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
A classic example of the inversions of settler colonialism: the settler becomes the native and the Indigenous person becomes an outsider on their own land.
The woman's family had to scramble to prove she was Indigenous and shouldn't be turned over to federal immigration authorities
story via @glorihuh.bsky.social
story via @glorihuh.bsky.social
Arizona tribal member nearly deported after Iowa jail issues ICE detainer by mistake
Native American ICE detainer mistake nearly leads to deportation of Arizona tribal member after Iowa jail clerical error
azmirror.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:02 AM
A classic example of the inversions of settler colonialism: the settler becomes the native and the Indigenous person becomes an outsider on their own land.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
An M.I.T. study found that 95% of companies that had invested in A.I. tools were seeing zero return. It jibes with the emerging idea that generative A.I., “in its current incarnation, simply isn’t all it’s been cracked up to be,” John Cassidy writes. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/mlYgP3
The A.I.-Profits Drought and the Lessons of History
Like the steam engine, electricity, and computers, generative artificial intelligence could take longer than expected to transform the economy.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
An M.I.T. study found that 95% of companies that had invested in A.I. tools were seeing zero return. It jibes with the emerging idea that generative A.I., “in its current incarnation, simply isn’t all it’s been cracked up to be,” John Cassidy writes. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/mlYgP3
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
Bounty Hunters.
They are really revisiting the original purpose of policing-slave patrols-to inspire their visions of the future.
They are really revisiting the original purpose of policing-slave patrols-to inspire their visions of the future.
SCOOP: ICE is allocating as much as $180 million to pay bounty hunters and private investigators who verify the address and location of undocumented people ICE wishes to detain, including with physical surveillance, according to procurement records reviewed by 404 Media.
ICE Plans to Spend $180 Million on Bounty Hunters to Stalk Immigrants
Newly released documents provide more details about ICE's plan to use bounty hunters and private investigators to find the location of undocumented immigrants.
www.404media.co
November 12, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Bounty Hunters.
They are really revisiting the original purpose of policing-slave patrols-to inspire their visions of the future.
They are really revisiting the original purpose of policing-slave patrols-to inspire their visions of the future.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
Abolish Border Patrol.
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
US firefighter detained on the job speaks out after deportation: ‘I feel betrayed’
Exclusive: Border patrol arrested José Bertin Cruz-Estrada while he was battling a wildfire in Washington. He is now in Mexico, separated from his family in Oregon
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Abolish Border Patrol.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
I will say that I hate that adopted people constantly have to address this question when trying to access their records or other information about *themselves* and their family of origin.
It’s a foundation of their identity. It belongs to them and they’re entitled to have it for that reason alone.
It’s a foundation of their identity. It belongs to them and they’re entitled to have it for that reason alone.
Can anyone point me to a study or other data showing that the majority of relinquishing parents *don’t* want to be anonymous? It’s needed for lobbying.
I can look through the citations in Relinquished by @gretchensisson.bsky.social but I’m hoping someone has quicker access to the info.
I can look through the citations in Relinquished by @gretchensisson.bsky.social but I’m hoping someone has quicker access to the info.
November 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I will say that I hate that adopted people constantly have to address this question when trying to access their records or other information about *themselves* and their family of origin.
It’s a foundation of their identity. It belongs to them and they’re entitled to have it for that reason alone.
It’s a foundation of their identity. It belongs to them and they’re entitled to have it for that reason alone.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
"truly it was out of curiosity"
November 11, 2025 at 3:49 AM
"truly it was out of curiosity"
Nobody needs a 🐻 cup
If we go on strike, our union of 12,000 workers are calling on customers to NOT BUY STARBUCKS.
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Nobody needs a 🐻 cup
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
If any of these Senators 👇👇👇are yours, CALL NOW and tell them not to cave.
On the heels of Tuesday’s election results, literally thinking about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This is why Mamdani won.
On the heels of Tuesday’s election results, literally thinking about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This is why Mamdani won.
It BOGGLES THE MIND that there are Democratic senators considering caving to the GOP, who will then have ALL the leverage AND increase our insurance premiums for funsies
HOLD. THE. LINE. SENATORS:
Kelly—AZ
Slotkin—MI
Peters—MI
Ossoff—GA
Coons-DE
Cortez Mason—DE
Rosen—NV
Shaheen—NH
Hassan—NH
King-ME
HOLD. THE. LINE. SENATORS:
Kelly—AZ
Slotkin—MI
Peters—MI
Ossoff—GA
Coons-DE
Cortez Mason—DE
Rosen—NV
Shaheen—NH
Hassan—NH
King-ME
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 PM
If any of these Senators 👇👇👇are yours, CALL NOW and tell them not to cave.
On the heels of Tuesday’s election results, literally thinking about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This is why Mamdani won.
On the heels of Tuesday’s election results, literally thinking about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This is why Mamdani won.
Reposted by Susan Kiyo Ito
List of US airports where flights will be reduced during the shutdown. Cuts will begin tomorrow (Friday the 7th)
These are the airports that will reduce flights during the government shutdown
The Federal Aviation Administration is forcing airlines to cut 10% of their flights at 40 of the busiest airports across the nation to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers during the ongoing gov...
apnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
List of US airports where flights will be reduced during the shutdown. Cuts will begin tomorrow (Friday the 7th)