Amanda Dykema
@amdykema.bsky.social
More reposter than poster by nature. Research development @ UMD / AFSCME union steward / English PhD / Taxed but not represented
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Virginia Heffernan wrote this shortly after the 2016 election and it still holds true
December 16, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Virginia Heffernan wrote this shortly after the 2016 election and it still holds true
"These days, I stress that close reading is not magic. Its power lies in argument: always vulnerable, nothing simpler and yet nothing harder. And to clarify my stakes: the way that close reading is powerful is that it lays claim to power."
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
The Claims of Close Reading - Boston Review
Literary studies have been starved by austerity, but their core methodology remains radical.
www.bostonreview.net
December 8, 2025 at 5:25 PM
"These days, I stress that close reading is not magic. Its power lies in argument: always vulnerable, nothing simpler and yet nothing harder. And to clarify my stakes: the way that close reading is powerful is that it lays claim to power."
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
“The Black women of the film are lightning rods for the most forceful conversations the film can bear, and it’s thrilling to watch them embody what Anderson’s script can only loosely hold.” www.vulture.com/article/blac...
Black Actresses Are Carrying One Battle After Another
Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, and Regina Hall propel the film’s most conflicted ideas, for better and worse.
www.vulture.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
“The Black women of the film are lightning rods for the most forceful conversations the film can bear, and it’s thrilling to watch them embody what Anderson’s script can only loosely hold.” www.vulture.com/article/blac...
A movie that takes place where you're from
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
A movie that takes place where you're from
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Few things bug me more than higher ed leaders saying that we lost our mission and lost the trust of the public, when we have actually been the target of a decades-long smear campaign by the right wing that worked. The moment we’re losing our mission is right now, in capitulation.
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Few things bug me more than higher ed leaders saying that we lost our mission and lost the trust of the public, when we have actually been the target of a decades-long smear campaign by the right wing that worked. The moment we’re losing our mission is right now, in capitulation.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Of all my posts, this is the one that I wish would be shared widely. I hope people will donate to Bryan's legal defense, but even if you don't, it's important to be aware of the human rights horrors that are going on around us on a daily basis.
Please help Bryan, a decent and hardworking person who was just kidnapped off the street in DC. He has been in this country since he was a child. He has a business and a family. He does not deserve such shameful cruelty. Please share.
www.gofundme.com/f/help-bryan...
www.gofundme.com/f/help-bryan...
Donate to Help Bryan Fight for His Freedom, organized by Kira Tewalt
Help Bryan Fight for His Freedom
My name is Kira, and I’m asking for your help on… Kira Tewalt needs your support for Help Bryan Fight for His Freedom
www.gofundme.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Of all my posts, this is the one that I wish would be shared widely. I hope people will donate to Bryan's legal defense, but even if you don't, it's important to be aware of the human rights horrors that are going on around us on a daily basis.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
WE WON. I am *begging* you to take note of who did this. *Not* UCLA admin—they’re still scuttling around behind closed doors, attempting to appease—but FACULTY AND STAFF, led by AAUP.
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM
WE WON. I am *begging* you to take note of who did this. *Not* UCLA admin—they’re still scuttling around behind closed doors, attempting to appease—but FACULTY AND STAFF, led by AAUP.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
You can tell how much money is tied up in chatbots because it's getting the kind of fearful leeway even as it demonstrably causes the deaths of children that we normally only allow for guns
November 8, 2025 at 1:22 AM
You can tell how much money is tied up in chatbots because it's getting the kind of fearful leeway even as it demonstrably causes the deaths of children that we normally only allow for guns
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Genuinely laughing to keep from crying at this instant classic from @mcsweeneys.net
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/hi-...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/hi-...
Hi, It’s Me, Wikipedia, and I Am Ready for Your Apology
“Wikipedia, the constantly changing knowledge base created by a global free-for-all of anonymous users, now stands as the leading force for the dum...
www.mcsweeneys.net
October 28, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Genuinely laughing to keep from crying at this instant classic from @mcsweeneys.net
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/hi-...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/hi-...
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Rather than fixing the health care crisis they created, the President & his yes-men in Congress are forcing a government shutdown so they can protect billionaires & strip funding from the vital services that we provide.
Take action: act.afscme.org/forms/tell-c...
Take action: act.afscme.org/forms/tell-c...
Tell Congress: Lower health care costs. Protect federal workers and fund public services.
Health care costs are about to skyrocket and this shutdown will directly threaten AFSCME members’ jobs as states and cities lose even more federal funding. Call Congress today!
act.afscme.org
October 1, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Rather than fixing the health care crisis they created, the President & his yes-men in Congress are forcing a government shutdown so they can protect billionaires & strip funding from the vital services that we provide.
Take action: act.afscme.org/forms/tell-c...
Take action: act.afscme.org/forms/tell-c...
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
🚨SPOILERS🚨: I wrote about the ~ENDING~ of ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER; what it says about the past, present, and future of this country; and how beautifully it envisions an "I have friends everywhere" mode of resistance. again, SPOILERS. at @vulture.com:
www.vulture.com/article/one-...
www.vulture.com/article/one-...
September 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
🚨SPOILERS🚨: I wrote about the ~ENDING~ of ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER; what it says about the past, present, and future of this country; and how beautifully it envisions an "I have friends everywhere" mode of resistance. again, SPOILERS. at @vulture.com:
www.vulture.com/article/one-...
www.vulture.com/article/one-...
I loved watching Alcarez v. Sinner and I loved the IBM commercials shitting on AI almost as much
September 7, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I loved watching Alcarez v. Sinner and I loved the IBM commercials shitting on AI almost as much
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
Valued users!
We understand that over the past 250-odd years, you have come to rely on the services provided by the U.S. of A.: postal delivery, representative government, edible food, clean water, lifesaving vaccines, and no kings—ever, guaranteed. Well, 250 years of free is enough.
We understand that over the past 250-odd years, you have come to rely on the services provided by the U.S. of A.: postal delivery, representative government, edible food, clean water, lifesaving vaccines, and no kings—ever, guaranteed. Well, 250 years of free is enough.
Apologies: You Have Reached the End of Your Free-Trial Period of America!
Want rule of law? That’s premium.
www.theatlantic.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Valued users!
We understand that over the past 250-odd years, you have come to rely on the services provided by the U.S. of A.: postal delivery, representative government, edible food, clean water, lifesaving vaccines, and no kings—ever, guaranteed. Well, 250 years of free is enough.
We understand that over the past 250-odd years, you have come to rely on the services provided by the U.S. of A.: postal delivery, representative government, edible food, clean water, lifesaving vaccines, and no kings—ever, guaranteed. Well, 250 years of free is enough.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
It's clear that printing and distribution of my publication TASKS FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD IN CHICAGO is going to disrupt my life at a time when I have no time, so here are files you can print from. It's a double-sided 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper. Please do not edit the text. Have fun!
September 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
It's clear that printing and distribution of my publication TASKS FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD IN CHICAGO is going to disrupt my life at a time when I have no time, so here are files you can print from. It's a double-sided 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper. Please do not edit the text. Have fun!
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
the message from the white house is that you live in a city run by people the president doesn't like, you will be occupied like you are an enemy of the state.
August 17, 2025 at 12:59 AM
the message from the white house is that you live in a city run by people the president doesn't like, you will be occupied like you are an enemy of the state.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
CMMP is a project that collects pledges from contributors and then transfers a set weekly amount of $ to individual recipients in DC, many of whom are raising young kids, not securely housed, and/or recently incarcerated. It's easy to participate and makes a real impact. Sign up for the next cycle:
CMMP Fall25 Season
Are you interested in being part of the upcoming new cycle for the Consistent Money-Moving Project? Our upcoming 13-week Fall25 season will distribute funds from September 1 through August 24, 2025; w...
consistentmmp-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
CMMP is a project that collects pledges from contributors and then transfers a set weekly amount of $ to individual recipients in DC, many of whom are raising young kids, not securely housed, and/or recently incarcerated. It's easy to participate and makes a real impact. Sign up for the next cycle:
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
The District of Columbia is under attack today — not from violent gangs or thieves, but by the President of the United States.
The President's weaponization of the Home Rule Act is a direct attack on the 700,000 residents of DC and we will not stand for it.
The President's weaponization of the Home Rule Act is a direct attack on the 700,000 residents of DC and we will not stand for it.
August 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The District of Columbia is under attack today — not from violent gangs or thieves, but by the President of the United States.
The President's weaponization of the Home Rule Act is a direct attack on the 700,000 residents of DC and we will not stand for it.
The President's weaponization of the Home Rule Act is a direct attack on the 700,000 residents of DC and we will not stand for it.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
D.C. is a lovely and vibrant city, the unhoused people there just want help, and the people who live in the city have no voting representation in Congress and thus lack one of the major opportunities for anyone to advocate for them.
August 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
D.C. is a lovely and vibrant city, the unhoused people there just want help, and the people who live in the city have no voting representation in Congress and thus lack one of the major opportunities for anyone to advocate for them.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
AM radio presidency taking over my city. Crime is down massively except for the insider trading, drug sales, and sex crimes in the executive branch. Already the most over-policed city in the country. People are gonna be killed.
August 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
AM radio presidency taking over my city. Crime is down massively except for the insider trading, drug sales, and sex crimes in the executive branch. Already the most over-policed city in the country. People are gonna be killed.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
i think it is hard for some people to really their heads around the reality that kennedy is staunchly anti-vaccine and thinks that people should suffer through disease and that those who die deserved it and that those who survive are a better order of human being
August 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
i think it is hard for some people to really their heads around the reality that kennedy is staunchly anti-vaccine and thinks that people should suffer through disease and that those who die deserved it and that those who survive are a better order of human being
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
A lot of older adults forced a war on universities because that’s where their kids realized their parents were evil.
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 12:52 PM
A lot of older adults forced a war on universities because that’s where their kids realized their parents were evil.
Reposted by Amanda Dykema
The United States is complicit in this. Both Democratic and Republican Administrations.
And for what?
www.cbsnews.com/news/gaza-st...
And for what?
www.cbsnews.com/news/gaza-st...
Gaza hospital boss says 21 children died of malnutrition, starvation over last 3 days
As Israel faces mounting pressure to end the Gaza war, a hospital director says the Palestinian enclave is facing "alarming numbers of deaths" from starvation.
www.cbsnews.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The United States is complicit in this. Both Democratic and Republican Administrations.
And for what?
www.cbsnews.com/news/gaza-st...
And for what?
www.cbsnews.com/news/gaza-st...