Karen Benjamin
@kallienebenjamin.bsky.social
Historian at Elmhurst U, UW Madison + UT Austin alum
Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal available July 2025 from UNC Press
Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal available July 2025 from UNC Press
Pinned
Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools | Karen Benjamin | University of North Carolina Press
Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools examines how white residential developers, planning consultants, and their allies in government strategically r...
www.uncpress.org
After fifteen years in the making, my book is finally coming out July 2025. 🤸🤸♂️🤸♀️ It is available for pre-order on the UNC Press site:
www.uncpress.org/book/9781469...
Use code 01SOCIAL30 at checkout to save 30%! @uncpress.bsky.social
www.uncpress.org/book/9781469...
Use code 01SOCIAL30 at checkout to save 30%! @uncpress.bsky.social
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Based on early numbers, there are easily more people participating in the second No Kings Day than in the first. Trump's strategy of constantly talking about this on TV and GOP govs sending in the national guard obviously energized the left. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
20251018_No Kings Day 2 Protests Unofficial Attendance Crowdsourcing
docs.google.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Based on early numbers, there are easily more people participating in the second No Kings Day than in the first. Trump's strategy of constantly talking about this on TV and GOP govs sending in the national guard obviously energized the left. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Black homesteaders founded the community of Royal, Florida, and the town has survived as what the SPLC calls "a rare, historic Black agricultural community in the nation, characterized by intergenerational land ownership and strong community bonds."
www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/l...
www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/l...
A community founded by ex-slaves, Royal teaches true story of '40 acres and a mule'
An overlooked landscape doesn't erase the pride and heritage of Royal, a community founded by freed slaves in Sumter County.
www.dailycommercial.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Black homesteaders founded the community of Royal, Florida, and the town has survived as what the SPLC calls "a rare, historic Black agricultural community in the nation, characterized by intergenerational land ownership and strong community bonds."
www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/l...
www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
HUD today fired two civil rights lawyers who spoke publicly about their whistleblower complaint over the Trump admin's cuts to the office that enforces fair housing laws.
Cutbacks at HUD come as Black homeownership falls
HUD fires two civil rights lawyers who spoke out about cuts to the office that enforces fair housing laws.
www.axios.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:24 PM
HUD today fired two civil rights lawyers who spoke publicly about their whistleblower complaint over the Trump admin's cuts to the office that enforces fair housing laws.
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
The sentiments could not be clearer by this administration- upholding imperialism even amidst a surrender showing the devaluation of Native lives, women, children, civilians- estimated at 250. Remember Wounded Knee
apnews.com/article/woun...
apnews.com/article/woun...
Hegseth says Wounded Knee soldiers will keep their Medals of Honor
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that he has decided that the 20 soldiers who received the Medal of Honor for their actions in 1890 at Wounded Knee will keep their awards.
apnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
The sentiments could not be clearer by this administration- upholding imperialism even amidst a surrender showing the devaluation of Native lives, women, children, civilians- estimated at 250. Remember Wounded Knee
apnews.com/article/woun...
apnews.com/article/woun...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Increased security at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History #ASALH due to illegal recording aimed at discrediting the org that Carter G Woodson founded 110 years ago. Last week the website was targeted. Donate @asalh-bhm.bsky.social
They attacked our site, but we fought back and we will not be silenced.
For 110 years, ASALH has carried Dr. Woodson’s mission forward. Stand with us. Your gift of $25, $50, $100 or more helps protect our work and preserve Black history.
Take a stand: asalh.org/donate/
For 110 years, ASALH has carried Dr. Woodson’s mission forward. Stand with us. Your gift of $25, $50, $100 or more helps protect our work and preserve Black history.
Take a stand: asalh.org/donate/
September 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Increased security at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History #ASALH due to illegal recording aimed at discrediting the org that Carter G Woodson founded 110 years ago. Last week the website was targeted. Donate @asalh-bhm.bsky.social
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
The forests that once sheltered the small town of Roseland are turning brown. Now, many residents are left wondering: Is what was left behind after the Aug. 22 blast safe? If it’s making the trees ill, what about them?
In This Black Louisiana Town, Forests are Browning and Animals are Dying
After the industrial explosion in rural Louisiana town, the EPA still says there is no health threat.
capitalbnews.org
September 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The forests that once sheltered the small town of Roseland are turning brown. Now, many residents are left wondering: Is what was left behind after the Aug. 22 blast safe? If it’s making the trees ill, what about them?
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
I've got some extra copies of There Is No Place for Us, and I'd love to give away 5 signed books.
Just repost, like, or comment to signal your interest. I'll pick names at random on Friday.
Totally optional: feel free to share how the struggle for stable housing shows up in your life or community.
Just repost, like, or comment to signal your interest. I'll pick names at random on Friday.
Totally optional: feel free to share how the struggle for stable housing shows up in your life or community.
September 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I've got some extra copies of There Is No Place for Us, and I'd love to give away 5 signed books.
Just repost, like, or comment to signal your interest. I'll pick names at random on Friday.
Totally optional: feel free to share how the struggle for stable housing shows up in your life or community.
Just repost, like, or comment to signal your interest. I'll pick names at random on Friday.
Totally optional: feel free to share how the struggle for stable housing shows up in your life or community.
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Interested in the story behind redlining? We're hosting an #AMA with @kallienebenjamin.bsky.social , author of "Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal". #Skystorians can come ask question & discover the full story!
old.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
old.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Interested in the story behind redlining? I’m Dr. Karen Benjamin, and my new book Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal examines how “redlining” was ju...
Along with a better understanding of how government at all levels helped segregate U.S. cities through redlining, zoning, and other strategies, we...
old.reddit.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Interested in the story behind redlining? We're hosting an #AMA with @kallienebenjamin.bsky.social , author of "Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal". #Skystorians can come ask question & discover the full story!
old.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
old.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Come check out @kallienebenjamin.bsky.social's fantastic AMA today on @askhistorians.bsky.social for Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal!
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
From the AskHistorians community on Reddit: Interested in the story behind redlining? I’m Dr. Karen Benjamin, and my new book Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before ...
Explore this post and more from the AskHistorians community
www.reddit.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Come check out @kallienebenjamin.bsky.social's fantastic AMA today on @askhistorians.bsky.social for Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal!
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
"During the early twentieth century, developers sold residential segregation to affluent white parents as one piece of a larger, child-centered environment that included new schools, playgrounds, better sanitation, and quieter streets."
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/09/11/t...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/09/11/t...
The Author’s Corner with Karen Benjamin
Karen Benjamin is Associate Professor of History at Elmhurst University. This interview is based on her new book, Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New D…
thewayofimprovement.blog
September 11, 2025 at 7:50 PM
"During the early twentieth century, developers sold residential segregation to affluent white parents as one piece of a larger, child-centered environment that included new schools, playgrounds, better sanitation, and quieter streets."
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/09/11/t...
thewayofimprovement.blog/2025/09/11/t...
Read Richard Rothstein's latest blog post on the fallacies of MAGA interpretations of constitutional law:
MAPA: Make America Patriotic Again
open.substack.com/pub/justacti...
MAPA: Make America Patriotic Again
open.substack.com/pub/justacti...
MAPA: Make America Patriotic Again
Donald Trump has his interpretation. What's yours?
open.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Read Richard Rothstein's latest blog post on the fallacies of MAGA interpretations of constitutional law:
MAPA: Make America Patriotic Again
open.substack.com/pub/justacti...
MAPA: Make America Patriotic Again
open.substack.com/pub/justacti...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
great read on HUD and its Trump 2.0 Secretary Scott Turner from @sarahholder.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature... (gift link)
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature... (gift link)
Trump’s Housing Chief Wants to Build, But With What?
HUD Secretary Scott Turner says it’s time to put millions more Americans in homes. He’s also standing by while his agency’s staff and funding disappear.
www.bloomberg.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
great read on HUD and its Trump 2.0 Secretary Scott Turner from @sarahholder.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature... (gift link)
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature... (gift link)
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Listen to this podcast with Bryan Stevenson on the moves the U.S. is making to censor the Smithsonian and institutions like it that are trying to tell the truth about the history of America.
Trump, the Smithsonian, and the battle over U.S. history | CBC Radio
From the Smithsonian to the classroom, President Trump is targeting cultural and educational institutions to promote a ‘patriotic’ version of history. We speak to a leading civil rights figure and historian about why that matters for the present.
www.cbc.ca
September 2, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Listen to this podcast with Bryan Stevenson on the moves the U.S. is making to censor the Smithsonian and institutions like it that are trying to tell the truth about the history of America.
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
YIMBYtown 2025 Keynote Speaker Spotlight: @tamikabutler.bsky.social is an expert on the built environment, equity, and anti-racism and offers an important perspective into the pro-homes movement. See you in New Haven soon! yimby.town
August 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
YIMBYtown 2025 Keynote Speaker Spotlight: @tamikabutler.bsky.social is an expert on the built environment, equity, and anti-racism and offers an important perspective into the pro-homes movement. See you in New Haven soon! yimby.town
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
I’m so grateful to @bletiecq.bsky.social,
President of the National Council on Family Relations, for her early review of my book. THANK YOU!
President of the National Council on Family Relations, for her early review of my book. THANK YOU!
September 3, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I’m so grateful to @bletiecq.bsky.social,
President of the National Council on Family Relations, for her early review of my book. THANK YOU!
President of the National Council on Family Relations, for her early review of my book. THANK YOU!
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
The NC General Assembly has done more to help the growth of private schools than approve "universal school choice"—vouchers without income restrictions. They also appropriated funds for some schools' capital projects. #ncpol www.theassemblync.com/education/k-...
How State Funds Are Helping Private Schools Expand
Vouchers aren’t the only way lawmakers have funneled money to private schools. At least two have received grants for new facilities.
www.theassemblync.com
September 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The NC General Assembly has done more to help the growth of private schools than approve "universal school choice"—vouchers without income restrictions. They also appropriated funds for some schools' capital projects. #ncpol www.theassemblync.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
SAVE THE DATE: We are excited to co-host #Harper200 Sept. 19-21. We invite you to attend in person! The weekend festivities include a dance performance, scholarly panels, poetry readings, receptions, and more. Most events are free. Learn more & register at:
coloredconventions.org/harper-200-s...
coloredconventions.org/harper-200-s...
Frances E. W. Harper 200 – Looking Back, Moving Forward - Colored Conventions Project
coloredconventions.org
July 29, 2025 at 7:43 PM
SAVE THE DATE: We are excited to co-host #Harper200 Sept. 19-21. We invite you to attend in person! The weekend festivities include a dance performance, scholarly panels, poetry readings, receptions, and more. Most events are free. Learn more & register at:
coloredconventions.org/harper-200-s...
coloredconventions.org/harper-200-s...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
The last 2 recessions hit low-income families hard, especially families of color. Trump's economic agenda is making them more vulnerable to the next recession, says EPI's @icidmartinez.bsky.social.
Learn more about the 9.7 million low-income families in our new report: www.epi.org/publication/...
Learn more about the 9.7 million low-income families in our new report: www.epi.org/publication/...
The last two recessions have hit low-income families of color hard: Trump’s economic agenda will expose millions to even more pain when the next recession strikes
The Great Recession and the pandemic recession hit low-income families of color especially hard—pushing many into unemployment, poverty, and housing insecurity. The swift and bold policy response to t...
www.epi.org
August 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The last 2 recessions hit low-income families hard, especially families of color. Trump's economic agenda is making them more vulnerable to the next recession, says EPI's @icidmartinez.bsky.social.
Learn more about the 9.7 million low-income families in our new report: www.epi.org/publication/...
Learn more about the 9.7 million low-income families in our new report: www.epi.org/publication/...
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
PFH is proud to co-host the next Open Book/Open Mind with Montclair Public Library, Montclair NAACP & @dosocialjustice.bsky.social on Sept 10.
Richard Rothstein, Leah Rothstein & Ryan P. Haygood will discuss Just Action and strategies for equity.
Free registration: bccls.libcal.com/event/14579503
Richard Rothstein, Leah Rothstein & Ryan P. Haygood will discuss Just Action and strategies for equity.
Free registration: bccls.libcal.com/event/14579503
August 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
PFH is proud to co-host the next Open Book/Open Mind with Montclair Public Library, Montclair NAACP & @dosocialjustice.bsky.social on Sept 10.
Richard Rothstein, Leah Rothstein & Ryan P. Haygood will discuss Just Action and strategies for equity.
Free registration: bccls.libcal.com/event/14579503
Richard Rothstein, Leah Rothstein & Ryan P. Haygood will discuss Just Action and strategies for equity.
Free registration: bccls.libcal.com/event/14579503
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
I’m committed to doing everything in my power to build a world where our children don’t have to fear getting shot when they go to school, and I hope you’ll join me.
August 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I’m committed to doing everything in my power to build a world where our children don’t have to fear getting shot when they go to school, and I hope you’ll join me.
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
I never planned on writing a book. Few demographers do. But 9yrs ago, I unearthed a puzzling finding that upended everything I thought I knew about race and family structure. And I knew I had to share it with the world.
Check out this video to learn more: www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8BxtCBd/
Check out this video to learn more: www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8BxtCBd/
The surprising findings that led Christina J. Cross, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Harvard University, to write her critical new book, Inherited Inequality: Why Opportunity Gaps Persist Between ...
TikTok video by Harvard University Press
www.tiktok.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I never planned on writing a book. Few demographers do. But 9yrs ago, I unearthed a puzzling finding that upended everything I thought I knew about race and family structure. And I knew I had to share it with the world.
Check out this video to learn more: www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8BxtCBd/
Check out this video to learn more: www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8BxtCBd/
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Today in @aeraedresearch.bsky.social comms, coverage of a new study by an amazing scholar (& good friend) @bbassett2.bsky.social about spatial injustice & universities that support low-income students!
Open access article: www.doi.org/10.1177/2332...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyy...
Open access article: www.doi.org/10.1177/2332...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyy...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
www.doi.org
August 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Today in @aeraedresearch.bsky.social comms, coverage of a new study by an amazing scholar (& good friend) @bbassett2.bsky.social about spatial injustice & universities that support low-income students!
Open access article: www.doi.org/10.1177/2332...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyy...
Open access article: www.doi.org/10.1177/2332...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyy...
"McGrath and Kuriloff found that upper-middle-class parents actively worked to maintain educational advantages for their children while blocking access for others, revealing how social class perpetuated tracking inequities."
👇 This piece on course placement patterns in North Carolina is crucial for understanding tracking dynamics.
The Algebra Gatekeepers
www.educationprogress.org/p/the-algebr...
www.educationprogress.org/p/the-algebr...
August 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM
"McGrath and Kuriloff found that upper-middle-class parents actively worked to maintain educational advantages for their children while blocking access for others, revealing how social class perpetuated tracking inequities."
Reposted by Karen Benjamin
Excited to finally announce the release of my first ever book, and the first ever book from we here press. It is a pocket-size guide to my archival theories and experiences in the form of essays- some you may have heard in part as lectures, some which are unpublished until now.
www.weherepress.org
www.weherepress.org
August 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Excited to finally announce the release of my first ever book, and the first ever book from we here press. It is a pocket-size guide to my archival theories and experiences in the form of essays- some you may have heard in part as lectures, some which are unpublished until now.
www.weherepress.org
www.weherepress.org