Sarah J. Purcell
@sarahjpurcell.bsky.social
(She/her) Historian-Teacher-Sometime Digital Humanist. Latest book: Spectacle of Grief: Public Funerals and Memory in the Civil War Era from @UNC_Press
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Delighted to share the Call for Papers for a special issue of French Historical Studies on the theme "European-Indigenous Relations in the French Americas" (to be co-edited by Scott Berthelette and myself)
CFP and submission guidelines can be found here:
read.dukeupress.edu/french-histo...
CFP and submission guidelines can be found here:
read.dukeupress.edu/french-histo...
Submission Guidelines | French Historical Studies | Duke University Press
Submission Guidelines | French Historical Studies | Duke University Press
Submission Guidelines
CALL FOR PAPERS
Special issue of French Historical Studies on European-Indigenous ...
read.dukeupress.edu
October 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Delighted to share the Call for Papers for a special issue of French Historical Studies on the theme "European-Indigenous Relations in the French Americas" (to be co-edited by Scott Berthelette and myself)
CFP and submission guidelines can be found here:
read.dukeupress.edu/french-histo...
CFP and submission guidelines can be found here:
read.dukeupress.edu/french-histo...
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
December 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
The president is about to start a war for no real reason. All of the things he has blamed on the country he’s targeting — fentanyl distribution, “emptying the asylums” and sending patients to the U.S., alignment with Tren de Aragua— are provably, obviously false.
Lots of people are going to die.
Lots of people are going to die.
November 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The president is about to start a war for no real reason. All of the things he has blamed on the country he’s targeting — fentanyl distribution, “emptying the asylums” and sending patients to the U.S., alignment with Tren de Aragua— are provably, obviously false.
Lots of people are going to die.
Lots of people are going to die.
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
I bet if you blow the dust of the DEPARTMENT OF WAR sign it’d reveal the word CRIMES right after that
November 29, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I bet if you blow the dust of the DEPARTMENT OF WAR sign it’d reveal the word CRIMES right after that
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
BREAKING: Northwestern University
November 29, 2025 at 1:21 PM
BREAKING: Northwestern University
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
CDC website altered at Robert F. Kennedy's behest to reflect his belief that "all events depicted in the film Ghostbusters really happened."
November 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM
CDC website altered at Robert F. Kennedy's behest to reflect his belief that "all events depicted in the film Ghostbusters really happened."
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Now here’s the kind of news you drop going into a long holiday weekend. Maybe no one will notice. 🤡
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Now here’s the kind of news you drop going into a long holiday weekend. Maybe no one will notice. 🤡
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Here’s a link to the syllabus and the lectures/podcast that David Blight, Beverly Gage, and I are teaching this semester: America at 250: A History.
president.yale.edu/committees-p...
president.yale.edu/committees-p...
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Here’s a link to the syllabus and the lectures/podcast that David Blight, Beverly Gage, and I are teaching this semester: America at 250: A History.
president.yale.edu/committees-p...
president.yale.edu/committees-p...
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Today, after months of requests, I toured the Broadview ICE Processing Facility. I want to share what I saw.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Today, after months of requests, I toured the Broadview ICE Processing Facility. I want to share what I saw.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Pete Hegseth keeps demanding to be taken seriously and then spends all his time talking down to accomplished military leaders, rebranding his department and renaming ships, engaging in culture wars bullshit, shitting all over the military's sense of ethics and generally making an ass of himself.
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Pete Hegseth keeps demanding to be taken seriously and then spends all his time talking down to accomplished military leaders, rebranding his department and renaming ships, engaging in culture wars bullshit, shitting all over the military's sense of ethics and generally making an ass of himself.
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
A roundtrip LAX-JFK flight in the late 60s was around $3K in today’s dollars. The people who wore suits on those flights were the people who regularly wore suits. Complaining about informally-dressed fliers is complaining that the wrong sorts of people are flying today.
November 25, 2025 at 4:38 PM
A roundtrip LAX-JFK flight in the late 60s was around $3K in today’s dollars. The people who wore suits on those flights were the people who regularly wore suits. Complaining about informally-dressed fliers is complaining that the wrong sorts of people are flying today.
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
November 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
The Trump administration arrested and detained two gospel singer brothers from Guatemala who have lived in Memphis for 10 and 20 years. The administration lied and claimed one had an extensive criminal record. Neither does. One has now been deported.
www.psrmemphis.org/christian-si...
www.psrmemphis.org/christian-si...
Christian Singers Caught In Deportation Net, One Branded 'Worst of Worst' - Institute for Public Service Reporting - Memphis %
% %
www.psrmemphis.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Trump administration arrested and detained two gospel singer brothers from Guatemala who have lived in Memphis for 10 and 20 years. The administration lied and claimed one had an extensive criminal record. Neither does. One has now been deported.
www.psrmemphis.org/christian-si...
www.psrmemphis.org/christian-si...
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Reposting my 2018 piece about year end lists for anyone who needs it (me!). www.damemagazine.com/2018/12/19/i...
It’s Time to Reconsider the Best-Of List - Dame Magazine
The piles of books and galleys that clutter my apartment are overwhelming. This is not a humble brag—more of a cry for help. I’m a culture writer and critic who is deeply entrenched in the book world....
www.damemagazine.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposting my 2018 piece about year end lists for anyone who needs it (me!). www.damemagazine.com/2018/12/19/i...
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
Jimmy Cliff did one of the very very early Tiny Desks in 2010, when the whole thing was still really getting figured out. youtu.be/QYtIT6J7G10?...
Jimmy Cliff: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert From The Archives
YouTube video by NPR Music
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Jimmy Cliff did one of the very very early Tiny Desks in 2010, when the whole thing was still really getting figured out. youtu.be/QYtIT6J7G10?...
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
While the stated purpose of all of these actions is fighting drug trafficking, Treasury Sec. Bessent let slip last week that oil prices could drop “if something happens down in Venezuela.” trib.al/cYTEJc3
Officially, it doesn’t mention the use of military force, but it's likely to make it easier.
Officially, it doesn’t mention the use of military force, but it's likely to make it easier.
November 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
While the stated purpose of all of these actions is fighting drug trafficking, Treasury Sec. Bessent let slip last week that oil prices could drop “if something happens down in Venezuela.” trib.al/cYTEJc3
Officially, it doesn’t mention the use of military force, but it's likely to make it easier.
Officially, it doesn’t mention the use of military force, but it's likely to make it easier.
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
An ICE agent was caught removing a sign marking an ICE kidnapping in DC last week! Do we think he did it out of anger, embarrassment, or most appropriately shame? If you think what you’re doing is right, why are you trying to hide the evidence? 👀
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
An ICE agent was caught removing a sign marking an ICE kidnapping in DC last week! Do we think he did it out of anger, embarrassment, or most appropriately shame? If you think what you’re doing is right, why are you trying to hide the evidence? 👀
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
She’s younger than the president and several members of congress
It’s useful for people of my generation to be reminded that this wasn’t that long ago. Ruby Bridges isn’t just still alive—she’s only 71, not ancient!
65 years ago on Nov. 14, little Ruby Bridges was escorted into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Norman Rockwell, renowned for blissful depictions of Americana, did this remarkable painting for Look magazine. Printed as a double page, over-size spread, it's his masterpiece.
November 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
She’s younger than the president and several members of congress
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
not bad for a first version of the cover for what will (eventually) be the #othernetworks #zine
November 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
not bad for a first version of the cover for what will (eventually) be the #othernetworks #zine
Reposted by Sarah J. Purcell
"While a legal defense about the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment & the original intentions of its authors could win over SCOTUS, it is important to recognize that this administration is making a political case to the American people about who really counts as a citizen." time.com/7324450/birt...
The Fight for Birthright Citizenship Has Always Been Political
Supporters need to follow Frederick Douglass' example — and make a case for conceiving of citizenship more broadly.
time.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
"While a legal defense about the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment & the original intentions of its authors could win over SCOTUS, it is important to recognize that this administration is making a political case to the American people about who really counts as a citizen." time.com/7324450/birt...