Liz Bergstrom
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lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Liz Bergstrom
@lizbergstrom.bsky.social
3.6K followers 970 following 500 posts
Writer in Passages North, Bennington Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Indiana Review, NYT... Queer & chronically ill. (they/them) lizbergstrom.com

PFP: Author w/ long purple hair & light skin smiling & wearing a teal jacket. Header: Cemetery by ocean
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lizbergstrom.bsky.social
With alt text:
"What are we to make of a man who called for the execution of the American president, and then was executed himself? What are we to make of an NFL that, on one hand, encourages us to "End Racism," and, on the other, urges us to commemorate an unreconstructed white supremacist? And what of the writers, the thinkers, and the pundits who cannot separate the great crime of Kirk's death from the malignancy of his public life? Can they truly be so ignorant to the words of a man they have so rushed to memorialize? I don't know. But the most telling detail in Klein's column was that, for all his praise, there was not a single word in the piece from Kirk himself. More than a century and a half ago, this country ignored the explicit words of men who sought to raise an empire of slavery. It subsequently transformed those men into gallant knights who sought only to preserve their beloved Camelot. There was a fatigue, in certain quarters, with Reconstruction-which is to say, multiracial democracy-and a desire for reunion, to make America great again. Thus, in the late 19th century and much of the 20th, this country's most storied intellectuals transfigured hate-mongers into heroes and ignored their words-just as, right now, some are ignoring Kirk's. Words are not violence, nor are they powerless. Burying the truth of the Confederacy, rewriting its aims and ideas, and ignoring its animating words allowed for the terrorization of the Black population, the imposition of apartheid, and the destruction of democracy. The rewriting and the ignoring were done not just by Confederates, but also by putative allies for whom the reduction of Black people to serfdom was the unfortunate price of white unity. The import of this history has never been clearer than in this moment when the hard question must be asked: If you would look away from the words of Charlie Kirk, from what else would you look away?"
September 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Moxie would like to offer her fluffy belly (she is a shorthair cat but somehow her belly fur feels like a very soft marshmallow)
A calico cat with white paws and a white belly lies on her back on a bed, looking up sleepily and contentedly at the human who is currently petting her belly
July 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
I'd put the ring in a box, tie a string around the box, then put the box on a high shelf where I can't possibly reach it...oh no
An illustration of Frog and Toad from the Arnold Lobel book Frog and Toad Together, showing them eating handfuls of chocolate chip cookies from an overflowing bowl of cookies
July 1, 2025 at 4:23 AM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Reposting w/ alt text: The VT Senate is considering S.127, a crucial housing bill that would expand access for immigrant families. This legislation prevents landlords from asking about immigration status and creates housing discrimination protections. Visit acluvt.org/act to take action NOW!
A graphic with a light green background shows a pink-tinted megaphone being held up by a pair of pink-tinted hands. Yellow lightning bolts are coming out of the megaphone, implying the person is speaking. The text says "ACT NOW! Contact your legislators to SUPPORT S.127 to expand housing access and protect immigrant families from discrimination." In the lower left corner is the ACLU VT logo.
May 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Abandon all hope, ye frog cupcakes
A tray in a bakery display case that is labeled "FROG CUPCAKES - White Cupcake, Old Fashion Buttercream - $2.99 each," but something has gone horribly wrong with this batch. The 12 lumpy green cupcakes have unblinking eyes made of frosting that stare skyward in terror. Their cake mouths are melted into an endless scream, and the red food coloring that might have been intended to be their tongues has dripped down onto their bodies and now looks like drops of blood.
May 28, 2025 at 5:09 AM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Mood.
A green insulated grocery bag lies on its side on a kitchen floor. In the narrow gap between the unzipped lid of the bag and the side of the bag, a calico cat is peeking out. She's almost completely hidden inside the bag except that part of her face is visible. One her green eyes, half of her black and orange face with a white muzzle, and her pink nose are visible.
May 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Here are the Beverly rubber stamps I used (and the Pilot Metropolitans and Midori notebook):
A collection of fountain pens and stationery items on a desk. The items include a slim notebook with berries and mushrooms on the cover, a light green Pilot pen in a case, a royal purple Pilot pen in a case, three small rubber stamps, three small bottles of Diamine ink, two tiny boxes of stickers, and a Pilot Kakuno pen.
May 17, 2025 at 7:04 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
I was lured into fountain pens by Bluesky and now I'm experimenting with ways to swatch bottles of ink! Featuring rubber stamps, a tiny paintbrush, and a few drops of water. (Billie the bird is bringing you Diamine Majestic Blue ink)
A page in a dot-grid notebook with a border of berries along the top and evergreen trees along the bottom. On the page are three stamps painted with three different colors of ink. The top stamp shows a smiling lavender tabby cat holding a purple fountain pen. The pen is taller than he is. The cat has a speech bubble saying in cursive: "Hello! This is Pelikan Violet ink in a Pilot Metropolitan pen with a Fine nib, brought to you by Lupine the lavender cat." Below the cat is a stamp of a pale blue bird perched on an ink bottle full of royal blue ink. At the bottom of the page is a small turquoise-colored Totoro sitting on top of a bottle full of blue-green ink. The Totoro has a speech bubble saying in cursive: "Pssst! This is Diamine Aurora Borealis ink in a Pilot Metropolitan pen with a Fine nib, brought to you by Gimlet the totoro."
May 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
I met up with friends tonight to watch them release Painted Lady butterflies they raised from caterpillars. 🐛
A Painted Lady butterfly perches on a person's finger. Its wings are closed. The butterfly's body is fuzzy and its wings are ornate with blue spots on the pale brown hindwing, and orange and white and brown patterns on the forewing.
May 2, 2025 at 3:52 AM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Cash bail means little for the rich but separates many other people from their families before they've had a trial. Donate in honor of your mom to help bail out Black moms and bring them home!
Poster of two Black women hugging each other while one holds a bouquet of orange-peach roses. They are standing in a parking lot next to some multistory buildings. Text says: "Black Mama's Bail Out NATIONALBAILOUT.ORG Free Black Mamas Ultimate Mother's Day gift guide that goes beyond just flowers."
May 1, 2025 at 2:53 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Great news and let's keep speaking up for other students jailed for free speech! Today Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi walked out of court after a judge ordered his release from ICE detention. He said to Trump: 'I am not afraid of you.'

www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Outside a Vermont courthouse, Mohsen Mahdawi holds up both his hands making peace signs after his release from being imprisoned. He is wearing wire-framed glasses, a black shirt and gray-green jacket, and what appears to be a keffiyeh draped around his shoulders. He is greeted by a crowd of reporters with TV cameras and community supporters, including one person carrying a large sign that says ABOLISH ICE.
April 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
It's true, my cats say trans rights
An orange tabby cat and a calico cat, who both have white paws and other white markings, sit on a dresser in front of a neon yellow protest sign with these words written on it in Sharpie: "LGBTQ+ RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS"
April 27, 2025 at 2:37 AM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
The rising fascism has got me making more visual art than usual this year. Painting and embroidering birds, plus making a zine I'll share later this weekend...
A fuzzy African gosling painted onto the shell of a hollow African goose egg. The gosling has a pink flower resting on its head like a hat, and its beak is partly open in a friendly expression. Its feathers are yellow and brown, its legs are dark gray, and its beak is dark gray. The background of the egg is light blue and there is paper Easter grass around it. An adult African goose painted onto the shell of a hollow African goose egg. Its feathers are mostly cream-colored with brown stripey wings. Its beak is dark brown with a ridge on top, its legs are orange, and it's a chonky, friendly looking bird. The background of the egg is light blue and there's paper Easter grass around it. A heart-shaped ornament made of red felt, elaborately embellished with embroidery in white thread forming the shapes of flowers, vines, dots, and curlicues. Attached to the heart is a loop of red satin ribbon so it can hang on a tree A bamboo embroidery hoop holds off-white fabric that's embroidered with the image of a little blue heron. The bird is wading in rippling water and surrounded by cattails. Its feathers are royal blue, pale iridescent blue, and indigo, with a reddish-purplish neck, a dark gray face, yellow eyes, and a long two-toned beak.
April 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
This just in: ICE also charging book publisher for "concealing an individual" named Waldo, who was just too tough for these incompetent goons to find while they were in the same elevator with him
The cover of a book titled "Where's Waldo? Awesome Adventures! The Great Vacation Guide" by Martin Handford. Waldo wears his easily recognizable striped red-and-white shirt and red-and-white knit beanie with pompom while carrying a suitcase. In the background are travel snapshots from assorted locations.
April 25, 2025 at 7:54 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Reposting with alt text:
Statement from Mohsen Mahdawi on 4/22/25 saying: "I don't want people to lose hope. Stay positive and believe in the inevitability of justice. This hearing is part of the democratic system as it prevents a tyrant from having unchecked power. I am in prison but am not prisoned. A system of democracy guarantees freedom of speech. Speaking of Palestine does not only qualify as freedom of speech but it is also about our humanity. Keep the hope alive. I will see you under the sun."
April 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Though I'm not a sports watcher, Ella is always wearing orange, we're from the DMV, and I've been to O's games, so she says it counts
An orange tabby cat lying comfortably on a faux wicker chair in the sunshine and smushing her face into the green cushion
April 21, 2025 at 4:29 AM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Reposting to add alt text:
First page of Sen. Bernie Sanders press release that reads: SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS United States Senator for Vermont NEWS: Sanders Statement on Trump's Illegal Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia BURLINGTON, Vt., April 14 - In an Oval Office meeting with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, President Trump failed to demand the release of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly deported from the United States and sent to a Salvadoran prison. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement in response: Just a few weeks ago, the Trump administration admitted that the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father of three who has been in the country more than decade, was an "administrative error." Then, the U.S. Supreme Court — in a 9-0 decision backed by every Trump-appointed justice - ruled that the administration must bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States. Second page of Sen. Bernie Sanders' press release that reads: Now, in open defiance of the Supreme Court and without any evidence, the White House claims that Abrego Garcia is a "terrorist," who was "sent to the right place." This is a blatant LIE. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, "To this day, the Government has cited no basis in law for Abrego Garcia's warrantless arrest, his removal to El Salvador, or his confinement in a Salvadoran prison. Nor could it. The Government remains bound by an Immigration Judge's 2019 order expressly prohibiting Abrego Garcia's removal to El Salvador." Kilmar Abrego Garcia is an innocent man and the father of three. He must not be allowed to rot in an El Salvadorian jail based on lies and defiance of our Constitution. He must be brought home immediately. This is just another step forward in Trump's move toward authoritarianism. Fight back!
April 15, 2025 at 3:51 AM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
I also have a calico with resting grumpy face! Everyone thinks Moxie looks mad but she's just a sweet goofball who can be a little sassy.
A calico cat lies cozily in a round heated bed with three catnip-stuffed conversation heart toys resting on her back. The text on the hearts reads: BE MINE, FUREVER, and PURRFECT A calico cat flops over onto her side and curls up her white paws to invite belly rubs of her soft marshmallow belly
April 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Happy Dinosaur Easter! He is risen
(And of course by He, I mean the 2-foot-tall milk chocolate T. Rex)
A shelf of chocolate Easter candy in green cardboard boxes. On the left is a "nice!" brand hollow milk chocolate bunny. On the right are two huge, hollow milk chocolate Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs, with a drawing of a fiercely roaring T. Rex on the box
March 28, 2025 at 2:36 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Reposting w/ alt text:
Screenshot of text: Amy E. Greer is an associate at Dratel & Lewis and issues this statement: Last night ICE agents wrongfully arrested Mahmoud Khalil, claiming his student visa was revoked - even though Mahmoud is legal permanent resident (green card) and not in the U.S. on a student visa. Confronted with that fact, the ICE agents detained him anyway. Overnight we filed a habeas corpus petition on Mahmoud's behalf challenging the validity of his arrest and detention. Currently we do not know Mahmoud's precise whereabouts. Initially we were informed this morning that he had been transferred to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. However, when his wife - a U.S. citizen who is eight months' pregnant and was threatened with arrest as well by the ICE agents last night - tried to visit him there today, she was told he is not detained there. We have subsequently received reports that Mahmoud may be transferred as far away as Louisiana. We will vigorously be pursuing Mahmoud's rights in court, and will continue our efforts to right this terrible and inexcusable - and calculated - wrong committed against him. ICE's arrest and detention of Mahmoud follows the U.S. government's open repression of student activism and political speech, specifically targeting students at Columbia University for criticism of Israel's assault on Gaza. The U.S. government has made clear that they will use immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress that speech. Many individuals and organizations have expressed support for Mahmoud and outrage at the government's conduct, and have offered their assistance in the legal proceedings. Mahmoud greatly appreciates all of that support, as do we.
March 9, 2025 at 10:31 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
My cat Ella with a reminder

"The horrors persist, but so do I"
An orange tabby cat named Ella lies on her side in a heated bed with one white front paw dangling over the edge. Resting on her side are three conversation heart-shaped cat toys in pastel colors that read "PURRFECT," "BE MINE," and "FUREVER." Resting on her face is a big pair of red heart-shaped sunglasses, which she squints through and will knock off in 0.5 seconds
February 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Ohhh, thank you for reminding me of this! I'm from Maryland and I have a calico so honestly a big oversight on my part
A calico cat lying on her back in a goofy S-shape while waiting for belly rubs
January 30, 2025 at 4:17 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
If you see this, post a pet!
Moxie, a very soft calico cat with black and orange and white fur, lies on her back in bed in a funny curled-up pose kind of like a shrimp. She is hoping for a tummy rub The same calico cat Moxie gets a tummy rub and stretches out two of her paws luxuriously, showing pink and black toe beans on her front right paw
January 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
Ella says hi!
An orange and white tabby cat sleeping in a round green cat bed and resting her head comfortably on the raised edge An orange and white tabby cat with her tongue stuck out in a small blep
January 2, 2025 at 5:24 AM
lizbergstrom.bsky.social
I'm a U.S. person who's weird among my friends because my family bakes an Epiphany cake, whoever gets the nut is the queen or king for the night, we don't take down our Christmas tree till after Jan. 6, and then we feed the tree to our neighbors' goats. Totally normal stuff.
A white goat chomping on a branch of Christmas tree with a slightly deranged look in her eyes A brown doe goat with a green collar politely chewing on a Christmas tree in the snow
January 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM