Abby Whitaker
@abbywhitaker.bsky.social
Assistant Professor U.S. History at Brevard College | Sesame Street enthusiast
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
So for my latest @satevepost.bsky.social Considering History column, on the inauguration's anniversary, I wanted to highlight the Great Society gem that was the CPB, & how its origins & early history remind us of how vital public broadcasting remains. 🗃️
www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2026/01/cons...
www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2026/01/cons...
Considering History: Public Broadcasting’s Origins Remind Us of Its Vital Role Today | The Saturday Evening Post
This institution has played an important role in American society for nearly 60 years.
www.saturdayeveningpost.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:28 PM
So for my latest @satevepost.bsky.social Considering History column, on the inauguration's anniversary, I wanted to highlight the Great Society gem that was the CPB, & how its origins & early history remind us of how vital public broadcasting remains. 🗃️
www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2026/01/cons...
www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2026/01/cons...
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
With the end of 2025 upon us, I wanted to create a thread of everything I'm thankful for from this past year. 2025 was filled with highs and lows, but I'm filled with grace from all the comradery and support I received this year.
Please share your own lists as well. 🗃️ Let's celebrate us!
Please share your own lists as well. 🗃️ Let's celebrate us!
December 31, 2025 at 7:05 PM
With the end of 2025 upon us, I wanted to create a thread of everything I'm thankful for from this past year. 2025 was filled with highs and lows, but I'm filled with grace from all the comradery and support I received this year.
Please share your own lists as well. 🗃️ Let's celebrate us!
Please share your own lists as well. 🗃️ Let's celebrate us!
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
In our second guide @cliocontemporary.bsky.social
editor Sarah King provides advice to students considering PhD programs: "Embarking on a PhD in history can be incredibly rewarding, but before you apply, it's best to have a clear-eyed view of academia as a whole..."
editor Sarah King provides advice to students considering PhD programs: "Embarking on a PhD in history can be incredibly rewarding, but before you apply, it's best to have a clear-eyed view of academia as a whole..."
What to Think About When Thinking About Grad School: So, you want to do a PhD?
Embarking on a PhD in history can be incredibly rewarding, but before you apply, it’s best to have a clear-eyed view of academia as a whole (including the various types of universities where …
clioandthecontemporary.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:40 PM
In our second guide @cliocontemporary.bsky.social
editor Sarah King provides advice to students considering PhD programs: "Embarking on a PhD in history can be incredibly rewarding, but before you apply, it's best to have a clear-eyed view of academia as a whole..."
editor Sarah King provides advice to students considering PhD programs: "Embarking on a PhD in history can be incredibly rewarding, but before you apply, it's best to have a clear-eyed view of academia as a whole..."
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
Deadline extended! We're soliciting contributions from undergraduates who have presented historical research at a conference for an upcoming Clio advice column FOR students BY students. Check it out and send it along to your students.🗃️
Call for Contributions: Preparing for your First Undergraduate History Conference: a Guide FOR Students BY Students
Have you presented original historical research at a conference? What advice would you give aspiring undergraduates ready to take their first plunge into the world of academic conference presentati…
clioandthecontemporary.com
June 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Deadline extended! We're soliciting contributions from undergraduates who have presented historical research at a conference for an upcoming Clio advice column FOR students BY students. Check it out and send it along to your students.🗃️
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
Netflix has saved Sesame Street!
Sesame Street Is Relocating to Netflix
'Sesame Street' finds new home at Netflix for new episodes and back catalog following the end of its streaming contract at HBO.
rollingstone.com
May 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Netflix has saved Sesame Street!
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
vandalism www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/u...
Department of Education Eliminates Grant for PBS Children’s Shows
www.nytimes.com
May 7, 2025 at 12:57 AM
vandalism www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/u...
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
The displacement of agency is a central theme in the history of backlash politics since Reconstruction that I am writing.
May 7, 2025 at 12:55 AM
The displacement of agency is a central theme in the history of backlash politics since Reconstruction that I am writing.
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
As President Trump signs an executive order to defund public Broadcasting, keep in mind that it’s part of a longer history of conservatives taking aim at PBS/NPR as @abbywhitaker.bsky.social explains in her most recent piece (linked below).
May 2, 2025 at 1:51 PM
As President Trump signs an executive order to defund public Broadcasting, keep in mind that it’s part of a longer history of conservatives taking aim at PBS/NPR as @abbywhitaker.bsky.social explains in her most recent piece (linked below).
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
We report stories that keep you and your community informed, every day, without fear or favor. Millions depend on the NPR Network. Now, we’re counting on you.
Donate here: n.pr/3EYClNR
Donate here: n.pr/3EYClNR
May 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
We report stories that keep you and your community informed, every day, without fear or favor. Millions depend on the NPR Network. Now, we’re counting on you.
Donate here: n.pr/3EYClNR
Donate here: n.pr/3EYClNR
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
Trump signed an executive order today aimed at ending government funding for NPR and PBS. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Ending Taxpayer Subsidization Of Biased Media
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose.
www.whitehouse.gov
May 2, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Trump signed an executive order today aimed at ending government funding for NPR and PBS. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
Next up for @cliocontemporary.bsky.social exploration of Trump 2.0, @abbywhitaker.bsky.social brilliantly compares the current assault on PBS/NPR to those from the early 1990s. Nobody knows more about Sesame Street's complicated relationship with government than Abby, except maybe Elmo himself. 🗃️
Our miniseries on Trump 2.0 continues with @abbywhitaker.bsky.social historicizing the Republicans repeated attacks on public broadcasting and why this time they may actually succeed. 🗃️
“Don’t Kill Big Bird” — The Trump Administration’s Showdown with PBS and NPR
In 1995, Democrats held up a Big Bird doll to laud the importance of children’s television and save public broadcast funding. This strategy does not seem likely to work in 2025.
clioandthecontemporary.com
May 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Next up for @cliocontemporary.bsky.social exploration of Trump 2.0, @abbywhitaker.bsky.social brilliantly compares the current assault on PBS/NPR to those from the early 1990s. Nobody knows more about Sesame Street's complicated relationship with government than Abby, except maybe Elmo himself. 🗃️
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
A reminder that we are open for pitches for this roundtable on the ways that federal cuts to funding have impacted historians working off the tenure track.
Call For Pitches: The Losses
“But you could go work for the government! Or museums—maybe a non-profit?” Grad students and adjuncts leaving academic history in the United States have often gotten the above advice from well-meaning...
contingentmagazine.org
April 21, 2025 at 10:35 PM
A reminder that we are open for pitches for this roundtable on the ways that federal cuts to funding have impacted historians working off the tenure track.
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
Casar: "To you knowledge, has Ms Piggy ever been caught trying to funnel billions of dollars in government contracts to herself and to her companies? ... Elon Musk has."
March 26, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Casar: "To you knowledge, has Ms Piggy ever been caught trying to funnel billions of dollars in government contracts to herself and to her companies? ... Elon Musk has."
Sesame Street products have taken a luxurious turn: a $120 apron, Pottery Barn sheets, a yoga mat, and now, a $220 Kith sweater. Will I buy it? No. Do I want it? Yes.
January 9, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Sesame Street products have taken a luxurious turn: a $120 apron, Pottery Barn sheets, a yoga mat, and now, a $220 Kith sweater. Will I buy it? No. Do I want it? Yes.
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
Thanks for sharing more names to this starter pack. There are now 123 or so scholars who work on Latina/o/x studies included in this list. Please share and also send also send more recommendations of folks to include! ¡Entre más mejor!
go.bsky.app/Rmi3sGW
go.bsky.app/Rmi3sGW
Latina/o/x Studies & Scholars
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
November 15, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Thanks for sharing more names to this starter pack. There are now 123 or so scholars who work on Latina/o/x studies included in this list. Please share and also send also send more recommendations of folks to include! ¡Entre más mejor!
go.bsky.app/Rmi3sGW
go.bsky.app/Rmi3sGW
Me, during conference season
November 20, 2023 at 8:01 PM
Me, during conference season
Reposted by Abby Whitaker
I'm looking to organize/join a panel on inhabiting/understanding/experiencing the physical world in early Am. for the SHEAR conference next July in Philly. I focus on urban environments, but the panel could include any spaces. Please share w/any who'd be interested. Email in profile. Deadline 12/1
November 8, 2023 at 6:52 PM
I'm looking to organize/join a panel on inhabiting/understanding/experiencing the physical world in early Am. for the SHEAR conference next July in Philly. I focus on urban environments, but the panel could include any spaces. Please share w/any who'd be interested. Email in profile. Deadline 12/1
But as many scholars have shown us—Kathryn Cramer Brownell, @pastpunditry.bsky.social, Heather Hendershot, Brian Rosenwald—Trump did not create this media environment.
Trump has managed to construct a media environment where no scandal can affect him, but any scandal is a disaster for Biden
November 7, 2023 at 6:16 PM
But as many scholars have shown us—Kathryn Cramer Brownell, @pastpunditry.bsky.social, Heather Hendershot, Brian Rosenwald—Trump did not create this media environment.
Everything old is new again. It's been 25 years since Sesame Street's first big format change—the introduction of Elmo's World. Since then, the show has increasingly invested in longer-form storytelling focused on singular characters and has moved away from its original magazine format.
October 30, 2023 at 6:23 PM
Everything old is new again. It's been 25 years since Sesame Street's first big format change—the introduction of Elmo's World. Since then, the show has increasingly invested in longer-form storytelling focused on singular characters and has moved away from its original magazine format.