Valerie Deacon
@valeriedeacon.bsky.social
Historian of Modern France, the extreme-right, and the French Resistance. Working in curriculum development (teaching and learning spaces) and student success at TMU. Parent of a very sassy young child.
Hoping some fellow academics can help a gal out...Do you use any grants or funding databases that you find really useful? What features are most helpful for you as you apply for (increasingly scarce) $$$?
January 29, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Hoping some fellow academics can help a gal out...Do you use any grants or funding databases that you find really useful? What features are most helpful for you as you apply for (increasingly scarce) $$$?
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Man, I bet the NRA is going to be furious when they hear that jack-booted thugs from the federal government executed a law-abiding citizen for exercising his Second Amendment right to carry a handgun.
Any second now, I'm sure.
He was a white guy, if that helps?
Hello? NRA?
Any second now, I'm sure.
He was a white guy, if that helps?
Hello? NRA?
January 24, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Man, I bet the NRA is going to be furious when they hear that jack-booted thugs from the federal government executed a law-abiding citizen for exercising his Second Amendment right to carry a handgun.
Any second now, I'm sure.
He was a white guy, if that helps?
Hello? NRA?
Any second now, I'm sure.
He was a white guy, if that helps?
Hello? NRA?
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
The Trump-Vance administration just used your taxes to pay for ICE agents to kill a 37-year-old nurse, who was only there because another ICE agent killed a 37-year-old mother of three, who was only there because ICE agents are kidnapping your neighbors
January 24, 2026 at 7:43 PM
The Trump-Vance administration just used your taxes to pay for ICE agents to kill a 37-year-old nurse, who was only there because another ICE agent killed a 37-year-old mother of three, who was only there because ICE agents are kidnapping your neighbors
Same! -9 😂😂😂 That's spring weather.
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and this is hilarious
Canadians you are not prepared for the temperature he tells you he is experiencing here.
January 22, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Same! -9 😂😂😂 That's spring weather.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
U of T History PhD applications: 96 two years ago, 177 this year
Toronto poli sci PhD applications: 201 two years ago, 385 this year. Trump's policies are working great, just not for the US
January 22, 2026 at 1:05 AM
U of T History PhD applications: 96 two years ago, 177 this year
It occurred to me this morning that being an American right now must be like being a Torontonian when Rob Ford was our mayor - but on a much more consequential scale. It was so deeply embarrassing to have people peg you as living in a place that elected a demented, drug-addled human.
No one can be watching this Davos speech and reach any conclusion but that the President of the United States is mentally disturbed and that something is deeply wrong with him. This is both embarrassing and extremely dangerous.
January 21, 2026 at 3:57 PM
It occurred to me this morning that being an American right now must be like being a Torontonian when Rob Ford was our mayor - but on a much more consequential scale. It was so deeply embarrassing to have people peg you as living in a place that elected a demented, drug-addled human.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Reading @historians.org's letter to members justifying the council veto re Gaza. They say they're doing it cuz of the AHA's *mission* - but at the linked page, there's a pic of Natalie Zemon Davis.
NZD was supportive of every res on Palestine!
www.historiansforpeace.org/2023/10/29/n...
NZD was supportive of every res on Palestine!
www.historiansforpeace.org/2023/10/29/n...
January 20, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Reading @historians.org's letter to members justifying the council veto re Gaza. They say they're doing it cuz of the AHA's *mission* - but at the linked page, there's a pic of Natalie Zemon Davis.
NZD was supportive of every res on Palestine!
www.historiansforpeace.org/2023/10/29/n...
NZD was supportive of every res on Palestine!
www.historiansforpeace.org/2023/10/29/n...
As a working person, I am pleading with the world to stop changing at such a rapid rate. Fewer significant events, please. I'm as ready as the next person to untangle the dismantling of the old world order, but gosh darnit, I also have a job to do!
January 20, 2026 at 5:16 PM
As a working person, I am pleading with the world to stop changing at such a rapid rate. Fewer significant events, please. I'm as ready as the next person to untangle the dismantling of the old world order, but gosh darnit, I also have a job to do!
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Update: Canada's most centrist, common-sense subreddit is sharing treatises on urban sniping, in case you're wondering how the man on the street up here is taking the latest round of provocations.
January 20, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Update: Canada's most centrist, common-sense subreddit is sharing treatises on urban sniping, in case you're wondering how the man on the street up here is taking the latest round of provocations.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
The Prime Minister of Belgium speaks:
January 20, 2026 at 12:47 PM
The Prime Minister of Belgium speaks:
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Very moving visit to Thiaroye today. This is the site where Senegalese soldiers just returned from having participated in the Liberation of France were massacred by the French. Excavations are ongoing to find more bodies in the mass graves. Recent estimates by scholars put death toll at 300-400.
January 19, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Very moving visit to Thiaroye today. This is the site where Senegalese soldiers just returned from having participated in the Liberation of France were massacred by the French. Excavations are ongoing to find more bodies in the mass graves. Recent estimates by scholars put death toll at 300-400.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
A source confirms to me that this disturbing letter from Trump to the Norwegian PM is real.
Not the sort of letter committed to paper by a well man. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
January 19, 2026 at 7:32 AM
A source confirms to me that this disturbing letter from Trump to the Norwegian PM is real.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Denmark has sent troops to Greenland to defend against a possible American invasion. Just let that sit in your mind for a bit.
BREAKING: Denmark has deployed an advance force and military equipment to Greenland, tasked with preparing to receive reinforcements from the rest of the Danish Armed Forces and allied nations.
Follow the story on DR, Denmark’s public-service news outlet.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Follow the story on DR, Denmark’s public-service news outlet.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Efter pres fra USA: Danmark er nu begyndt at sende militære forstærkninger til Grønland
En fortrop fra Forsvaret er ankommet til Grønland, erfarer DR.
www.dr.dk
January 14, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Denmark has sent troops to Greenland to defend against a possible American invasion. Just let that sit in your mind for a bit.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
It was such a pleasure to talk with Rich. You can watch the first part of the interview at the link below: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mxq...
January 13, 2026 at 4:37 PM
It was such a pleasure to talk with Rich. You can watch the first part of the interview at the link below: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mxq...
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Philadelphia sheriff Rochelle Bilal:
“No law enforcement professional wears a mask…No law enforcement professional shoots at a moving vehicle.
“What Trump’s private army is doing…is not only against legal law, but moral law.”
Vows to arrest agents on site who commit crimes.
“No law enforcement professional wears a mask…No law enforcement professional shoots at a moving vehicle.
“What Trump’s private army is doing…is not only against legal law, but moral law.”
Vows to arrest agents on site who commit crimes.
January 9, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Philadelphia sheriff Rochelle Bilal:
“No law enforcement professional wears a mask…No law enforcement professional shoots at a moving vehicle.
“What Trump’s private army is doing…is not only against legal law, but moral law.”
Vows to arrest agents on site who commit crimes.
“No law enforcement professional wears a mask…No law enforcement professional shoots at a moving vehicle.
“What Trump’s private army is doing…is not only against legal law, but moral law.”
Vows to arrest agents on site who commit crimes.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Just now, a voice in my head said, “It’s the fascism, boss” as I was staring into the middle distance, wondering why I felt so blah this morning.
January 9, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Just now, a voice in my head said, “It’s the fascism, boss” as I was staring into the middle distance, wondering why I felt so blah this morning.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Careful silence when the US started killing people in international waters. Careful silence when a Canadian ICC justice was sanctioned by the US. Now we mumble vague things about international law and Venezuela. We’re losing more than just our voice.
January 5, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Careful silence when the US started killing people in international waters. Careful silence when a Canadian ICC justice was sanctioned by the US. Now we mumble vague things about international law and Venezuela. We’re losing more than just our voice.
I recently learned (or re-learned?) that the dot over the "i" and "j" is called a tittle and, ever since, my days have become 100 percent more whimsical.
December 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I recently learned (or re-learned?) that the dot over the "i" and "j" is called a tittle and, ever since, my days have become 100 percent more whimsical.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Pro-wrestling legend Mick Foley announced this morning that he's parting ways with WWE over the organization's "close relationship with Donald Trump," saying the president's "incredibly cruel comments in the wake of Rob Reiner’s death is the final straw for me."
December 16, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Pro-wrestling legend Mick Foley announced this morning that he's parting ways with WWE over the organization's "close relationship with Donald Trump," saying the president's "incredibly cruel comments in the wake of Rob Reiner’s death is the final straw for me."
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
Extraordinary courage from Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim, 43-year-old father of two, who bravely risked his life to save his neighbors celebrating Hanukkah.
Praying for his full & speedy recovery.
And so deeply inspired by his example.
Praying for his full & speedy recovery.
And so deeply inspired by his example.
December 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Extraordinary courage from Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim, 43-year-old father of two, who bravely risked his life to save his neighbors celebrating Hanukkah.
Praying for his full & speedy recovery.
And so deeply inspired by his example.
Praying for his full & speedy recovery.
And so deeply inspired by his example.
Dave Grohl sucks, his music is terrible, and this news, while new to me, is not at all surprising.
It's good to re-up this for World AIDS day. If you don't know the whole story I'd recommend reading the thread. It really sucks that Grohl and the band have been allowed to sweep this under the rug, because their support had real, significant consequences.
I don't think I've ever talked on Bluesky about why I hate the Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl.
Don't read any further unless you're prepared for uncomfortable truths about the "Nicest Guy in Rock", and his very substantial body count & subsequent cover-up.
Don't read any further unless you're prepared for uncomfortable truths about the "Nicest Guy in Rock", and his very substantial body count & subsequent cover-up.
December 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Dave Grohl sucks, his music is terrible, and this news, while new to me, is not at all surprising.
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
1.This is not the only known example we know of ChatGPT cheering on a vulnerable young person to die by suicide, this time it is a recent Texas A&M grad
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 1:50 AM
1.This is not the only known example we know of ChatGPT cheering on a vulnerable young person to die by suicide, this time it is a recent Texas A&M grad
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
This is nightmare fuel for those struggling with their mental health, especially children.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 2:11 AM
This is nightmare fuel for those struggling with their mental health, especially children.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Valerie Deacon
This…is frickin’ good.
I knew it would take less than a day for a tiktok dj to make something.
November 6, 2025 at 1:46 AM
This…is frickin’ good.
Woo! Congratulations NYC. What amazing news.
November 5, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Woo! Congratulations NYC. What amazing news.