Monisha Bajaj
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monishabajaj.bsky.social
Monisha Bajaj
@monishabajaj.bsky.social
Professor & scholar of peace, human rights, migration & education
University of San Francisco
(views posted here are my own)
Debut picture book A YEAR OF KITES out in 2026 with Bloomsbury
www.monishabajaj.net

Pronouns: she/her/वह
Pinned
✨✨ COVER REVEAL ✨✨

Kites serve as a universal metaphor for hope, aspirations & transcendence across cultures 🪁

In A YEAR OF KITES - out Feb '26 w/
@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social - we explore 12 different kite-flying traditions across the world

📚 Pre-order at bit.ly/yearofkites or a.co/d/1XS2IAJ
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Elon Musk is set to make more than every U.S. elementary teacher combined www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
a cartoon dog is sitting at a table in front of a fire with the words it 's fine everything is fine
ALT: a cartoon dog is sitting at a table in front of a fire with the words it 's fine everything is fine
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.

He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
First review of @amberren.bsky.social & my forthcoming picture book (my debut!), A YEAR OF KITES, is out from Kirkus:

"...A high-flying and illuminating celebration of kites, culture, and connection." ~Kirkus

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
A YEAR OF KITES | Kirkus Reviews
For almost 3,000 years, humans have flown kites in cultures across the globe.
www.kirkusreviews.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
The Epstein files are clearly more damning than we assumed, which is saying something.
November 12, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Anyway a great way to radicalize people is for them to realize that you just abandoned their chance at being able to access and afford health care because you didn’t like waiting in line at the airport.
November 10, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Lina Khan! All-woman team!
Mamdani announces transition team:

All-female team led by Elana Leopold, a known Dem strategist; also Melanie Hartzog, who once led the NYC’s health and human services and budget offices; former dep mayor Maria Torres-Springer, and Lina Khan, the former FTC commissioner who campaigned with Mamdani
November 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
The Trump administration is now literally *fighting* to deny food to 42 million people, more than a third of them children.

Read that again.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Tesla’s profit fell 37% in the third quarter. It's been in the process of laying off 14,000 workers. It had more cars impacted by recalls than any other brand in 2024.

Yet Elon Musk just got a pay package worth $1 trillion.

American capitalism is off the rails.
November 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.

Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
The oligarchy came out in full force against Zohran Mamdani's fight for a more affordable NYC.

It didn't matter.

Let his victory in the face of Big Money serve as a reminder that people have the power.
November 5, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Powerful opening of #IPRA2025 in Aotearoa @iprasocials.bsky.social

Grateful to be here w/ students, faculty & alums of @usfca-ime.bsky.social @szunes.bsky.social + so many amazing scholars/activists from around the 🌍

"Māori use ceremony as a way to lay down pain in exchange for peace" (keynote)
November 5, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Watched this last night and thought it was really excellent. Thoughtfully tells the story of the American missionary John Chau and his doomed quest to convert the Sentinelese in 2018. As someone who writes a lot about the radicalisation of young men in a very different context it was an eerie watch.
July 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
The Mission documentary.

About John Chau who tried to force Christianity on Indigenous people. He was influenced by pro-colonial books.
August 3, 2025 at 10:38 AM
San Ramon in the “progressive” Northern California Bay Area 🙄

bookriot.com/the-day-the-...
Why Did These Authors Have Their School Visit Canceled? They Were Talking About Their Book About Book Bans.
Country Club Elementary School in California's Bay Area canceled an author visit moments before it began. Why? It covered book bans.
bookriot.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
The refusal to fund SNAP will drive millions into hunger.

But when the Trump administration chooses cruelty,
@newyorkstateag.bsky.social chooses courage.

Grateful for her joining this suit to keep people fed.
Dozens of States Sue Trump Administration Over Planned Food Stamp Cuts
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:40 PM
First review of @amberren.bsky.social & my forthcoming picture book (my debut!), A YEAR OF KITES, is out from Kirkus:

"...A high-flying and illuminating celebration of kites, culture, and connection." ~Kirkus

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
A YEAR OF KITES | Kirkus Reviews
For almost 3,000 years, humans have flown kites in cultures across the globe.
www.kirkusreviews.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
With Donald Trump's government shutdown halting SNAP food benefits, California is stepping up.

We've fast-tracked $80 million to food banks across the state and deployed hundreds of California National Guard service members to help make sure Californians in need don't go hungry.
October 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab says satellite images seem to show mass killings in Sudan's western city of el-Fasher.
Yale report finds evidence of RSF mass killings in Sudan’s el-Fasher
Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab says satellite images seem to show mass killings in Sudan's western city of el-Fasher.
bit.ly
October 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP.

Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP.

The people who need help are not the problem.

It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.
October 27, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Here are some places to donate $$ to help. In south FL, there are places to donate provisions.

1. American Friends of Jamaica: shorturl.at/HqzGw
2. Americares Hurricane Fund: shorturl.at/dkdqB
3. Direct Relief: shorturl.at/uLeWw
4. WCK: shorturl.at/l6tgj
5. Other vetted charities: shorturl.at/WI4q6
October 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
Here's my full interview with Jon Stewart on @thedailyshow.com.
Zohran Mamdani - Reimagining NYC Through Safety and Affordability | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
youtu.be
October 28, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
WOW: "The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help fund military pay." Trump is doing his best to make the US military his own private militia. This is very dangerous. www.mediaite.com/media/news/t...
Trump to Use $130 Million From Private Donor to Help Pay Troops Amid Shutdown
The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help fund military pay during the ongoing government shutdown — an extraordinary move made under its general gif...
www.mediaite.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
absolutely shameful that the university has embraced the administration’s demand that it discriminate against its students. this is the board of visitors telling UVA students that if they aren’t white and cisgendered then they don’t belong.
The University of Virginia has capitulated to Trump on transgender and race (affirmative action) issues.

The details are currently sparse, but reporting suggests they've agreed to define trans people out of existence and ban trans students from facilities.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
October 22, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Monisha Bajaj
My friend told me that her 14 year old son started doing laundry on Sundays for some of his elderly neighbors. He doesn't charge for the labor. And now he is the most popular person in the building and has non stop pies, cookies, and cake. The 14 year old should be our model of modern masculinity.
October 23, 2025 at 2:27 AM