Pinned
Mike S
@schwartzinstem.bsky.social
· Sep 1
It is our duty to fight for our freedom
It is our duty to win
We must love each other and support each other
We have nothing to lose but our chains
-Assata Shakur
It is our duty to win
We must love each other and support each other
We have nothing to lose but our chains
-Assata Shakur
Reposted by Mike S
Our state government should be empowering municipalities to build more affordable housing of all types, care for our unhoused neighbors, protect renters, and so much more.
I’m ready to bring that fight to the State Capitol.
I’m ready to bring that fight to the State Capitol.
December 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Our state government should be empowering municipalities to build more affordable housing of all types, care for our unhoused neighbors, protect renters, and so much more.
I’m ready to bring that fight to the State Capitol.
I’m ready to bring that fight to the State Capitol.
Reposted by Mike S
This is what an economy set up for extraction rather than for people looks like. What are the places and spaces that make for a #GoodLife? And how do we write rules that incentivize markets to create them, rather than extract from all of us? That's the work.
Corporations now own 1 in 11 residential parcels in urban areas—and more than 20% in some communities. That consolidation is leaving lower-income families at the mercy of absentee landlords with little stake in local well-being.
New from @annielowrey.bsky.social: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
New from @annielowrey.bsky.social: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
How Private Equity Is Changing Housing
In some communities, corporations control more than 20 percent of properties.
www.theatlantic.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This is what an economy set up for extraction rather than for people looks like. What are the places and spaces that make for a #GoodLife? And how do we write rules that incentivize markets to create them, rather than extract from all of us? That's the work.
Reposted by Mike S
It might be easy to find things like this merely petty or superficial, but that would be a mistake. Demeaning, erasing or eliminating celebrations or acknowledgments of Black America is straight from Redemption playbook, and is intended to reinforce the racial hierarchy and signal its reinstatement.
National parks change prioritizes Trump birthday over days honoring Black people
Free entrance days at national parks no longer include MLK Day and Juneteenth.
www.sfgate.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM
It might be easy to find things like this merely petty or superficial, but that would be a mistake. Demeaning, erasing or eliminating celebrations or acknowledgments of Black America is straight from Redemption playbook, and is intended to reinforce the racial hierarchy and signal its reinstatement.
Reposted by Mike S
It’s great to be in Washington DC this week for the Victory Institute's International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference! Now more than ever, we need LGBTQ+ candidates stepping up to run for office and fight for dignity for all.
@victoryinstitute.bsky.social
@victoryinstitute.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 5:49 PM
It’s great to be in Washington DC this week for the Victory Institute's International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference! Now more than ever, we need LGBTQ+ candidates stepping up to run for office and fight for dignity for all.
@victoryinstitute.bsky.social
@victoryinstitute.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike S
Delaying or forgoing care today means worse outcomes (and higher costs) down the road. Universal healthcare now!
December 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Delaying or forgoing care today means worse outcomes (and higher costs) down the road. Universal healthcare now!
Reposted by Mike S
I've been asking the question why Mackenzie Scott is behaving so differently from many other billionaires. Here's a piece of the puzzle.
blavity.com/mackenzie-sc...
blavity.com/mackenzie-sc...
MacKenzie Scott's Surprising Connection To Toni Morrison, Explained - Blavity
blavity.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I've been asking the question why Mackenzie Scott is behaving so differently from many other billionaires. Here's a piece of the puzzle.
blavity.com/mackenzie-sc...
blavity.com/mackenzie-sc...
Reposted by Mike S
Delroy Lindo on unpacking themes with Ryan Coogler in 'Sinners'. For more of our interview go here: blackgirlnerds.com/delroy-lindo...
December 1, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Delroy Lindo on unpacking themes with Ryan Coogler in 'Sinners'. For more of our interview go here: blackgirlnerds.com/delroy-lindo...
Reposted by Mike S
The financial and environmental impacts of data centers should concern everyone. Not only do they drain our freshwater resources, but they jack up electricity costs for families that are already struggling to make ends meet.
December 1, 2025 at 4:47 PM
The financial and environmental impacts of data centers should concern everyone. Not only do they drain our freshwater resources, but they jack up electricity costs for families that are already struggling to make ends meet.
Reposted by Mike S
Every dollar counts in our fight to make Wisconsin more affordable, protect our democracy, and elect Wisconsin’s first transgender state legislator. If you’re in Milwaukee, I hope to see you there!
RSVP and learn more:
secure.actblue.com/donate/milwa...
RSVP and learn more:
secure.actblue.com/donate/milwa...
Join Dina Nina for a special event in Milwaukee!
Show your support with a contribution.
secure.actblue.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Every dollar counts in our fight to make Wisconsin more affordable, protect our democracy, and elect Wisconsin’s first transgender state legislator. If you’re in Milwaukee, I hope to see you there!
RSVP and learn more:
secure.actblue.com/donate/milwa...
RSVP and learn more:
secure.actblue.com/donate/milwa...
Reposted by Mike S
This Transgender Awareness Week, we celebrate the resilience, courage, and beauty of the trans community. Your lives matter, your stories matter, and your right to thrive and exist authentically is non-negotiable.
We stand with you today and every day🏳️⚧️
We stand with you today and every day🏳️⚧️
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This Transgender Awareness Week, we celebrate the resilience, courage, and beauty of the trans community. Your lives matter, your stories matter, and your right to thrive and exist authentically is non-negotiable.
We stand with you today and every day🏳️⚧️
We stand with you today and every day🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Mike S
This is a good look at how HBCUs are using large unrestricted gifts that they have never seen before. It's a combination of strategic investments, student support, and seeding endowments.
How HBCUs Plan to Spend MacKenzie Scott’s Money
The philanthropist dropped upward of $300 million on historically Black colleges and universities this fall. Campus leaders are overjoyed and spending in ways they never thought possible.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:31 AM
This is a good look at how HBCUs are using large unrestricted gifts that they have never seen before. It's a combination of strategic investments, student support, and seeding endowments.
Reposted by Mike S
Community member at SB 405 hearing: “I hope that the people coming here today have given you more insight into experiences like gender dysphoria and gender-affirming care, because those are the people we need to listen to.”
November 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Community member at SB 405 hearing: “I hope that the people coming here today have given you more insight into experiences like gender dysphoria and gender-affirming care, because those are the people we need to listen to.”
Reposted by Mike S
If they're done pretending they're not racist, xenophobic, and bigoted, there's absolutely zero reason for those who report on these people to continue pretending otherwise. Certainly not because it's "civil."
It's cowardly, dishonest, and insulting to keep propping up this transparent ruse.
It's cowardly, dishonest, and insulting to keep propping up this transparent ruse.
October 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If they're done pretending they're not racist, xenophobic, and bigoted, there's absolutely zero reason for those who report on these people to continue pretending otherwise. Certainly not because it's "civil."
It's cowardly, dishonest, and insulting to keep propping up this transparent ruse.
It's cowardly, dishonest, and insulting to keep propping up this transparent ruse.
Reposted by Mike S
Saturday is going to be huge, boisterous and joyful: “It doesn’t matter if you’ve never protested before. This is a place for you if you believe we don’t do kings in this country.” - @ezralevin.bsky.social to @maddow.msnbc.com
Please join us on No Kings Day: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i... #NoKings
Please join us on No Kings Day: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i... #NoKings
October 14, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Saturday is going to be huge, boisterous and joyful: “It doesn’t matter if you’ve never protested before. This is a place for you if you believe we don’t do kings in this country.” - @ezralevin.bsky.social to @maddow.msnbc.com
Please join us on No Kings Day: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i... #NoKings
Please join us on No Kings Day: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i... #NoKings
Reposted by Mike S
I wrote a little about some of the little details you might have missed in this video and why it hit me so hard as a trans person this morning:
www.burnsnotice.com/you-have-to-...
www.burnsnotice.com/you-have-to-...
October 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I wrote a little about some of the little details you might have missed in this video and why it hit me so hard as a trans person this morning:
www.burnsnotice.com/you-have-to-...
www.burnsnotice.com/you-have-to-...
This is just amazing. Seeing @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social so vocally choose to fight for trans people (and all people) gives me real hope for our future.
If old school dems don't see that this is the way, that is a deliberate choice. They need to be replaced by people who choose humanity over power.
If old school dems don't see that this is the way, that is a deliberate choice. They need to be replaced by people who choose humanity over power.
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 4: Sylvia Rivera
In the 1970s, queer New Yorkers had been pushed to the margins of NYC. Our trans neighbors faced immense cruelty. But in Sylvia Rivera, they found a champion.
As we combat Trump’s politics of darkness, her legacy can light the path forward.
In the 1970s, queer New Yorkers had been pushed to the margins of NYC. Our trans neighbors faced immense cruelty. But in Sylvia Rivera, they found a champion.
As we combat Trump’s politics of darkness, her legacy can light the path forward.
October 13, 2025 at 11:52 PM
This is just amazing. Seeing @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social so vocally choose to fight for trans people (and all people) gives me real hope for our future.
If old school dems don't see that this is the way, that is a deliberate choice. They need to be replaced by people who choose humanity over power.
If old school dems don't see that this is the way, that is a deliberate choice. They need to be replaced by people who choose humanity over power.
Reposted by Mike S
My latest is the story of how my community has rallied to protect and defend our neighbors in recent days, as ICE has targeted the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago. "This is not a story about a moment of victory, but a moment of being reminded of our power."
They Came for Our Neighbors. We Showed Up.
Before long, there were dozens, and then hundreds of people in the streets, watching and responding.
organizingmythoughts.org
October 13, 2025 at 1:20 AM
My latest is the story of how my community has rallied to protect and defend our neighbors in recent days, as ICE has targeted the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago. "This is not a story about a moment of victory, but a moment of being reminded of our power."
Reposted by Mike S
NEW: I spoke to clergy and faith leaders who've joined protests at the Chicago-area ICE facility.
Three say they've been shot with pepper balls, sometimes while praying.
All say ICE is also violating their religious freedom, and one is arguing it in court. religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...
Three say they've been shot with pepper balls, sometimes while praying.
All say ICE is also violating their religious freedom, and one is arguing it in court. religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...
Religious protesters say ICE threatens religious freedom in Chicago
(RNS) — Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘Who w...
religionnews.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:15 PM
NEW: I spoke to clergy and faith leaders who've joined protests at the Chicago-area ICE facility.
Three say they've been shot with pepper balls, sometimes while praying.
All say ICE is also violating their religious freedom, and one is arguing it in court. religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...
Three say they've been shot with pepper balls, sometimes while praying.
All say ICE is also violating their religious freedom, and one is arguing it in court. religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...
Reposted by Mike S
I've written my analysis of today's grim Supreme Court oral argument in the conversion therapy case:
As far as the Court's concerned, imaginary medical uncertainty gives states the authority to hurt queer kids, and takes away states' authority to protect them
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/chile...
As far as the Court's concerned, imaginary medical uncertainty gives states the authority to hurt queer kids, and takes away states' authority to protect them
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/chile...
The Conservative Justices Don't Trust Any Science That Supports LGBTQ Kids
States that want to facilitate discrimination against LGBTQ people have the Court's blessing. States that want to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination do not.
ballsandstrikes.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I've written my analysis of today's grim Supreme Court oral argument in the conversion therapy case:
As far as the Court's concerned, imaginary medical uncertainty gives states the authority to hurt queer kids, and takes away states' authority to protect them
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/chile...
As far as the Court's concerned, imaginary medical uncertainty gives states the authority to hurt queer kids, and takes away states' authority to protect them
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/chile...
Reposted by Mike S
1. Federal agents from ICE and other agencies are wrongly detaining U.S. citizens, sometimes detaining them for days, on suspicion that they are undocumented immigrants.
The raids are done without search warrants or other procedures designed to protect civil liberties.
The raids are done without search warrants or other procedures designed to protect civil liberties.
How federal agents are terrorizing American citizens
Last week, hundreds of heavily armed federal agents descended on an apartment complex in Chicago, arriving in Black Hawk helicopters and moving trucks.
popular.info
October 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
1. Federal agents from ICE and other agencies are wrongly detaining U.S. citizens, sometimes detaining them for days, on suspicion that they are undocumented immigrants.
The raids are done without search warrants or other procedures designed to protect civil liberties.
The raids are done without search warrants or other procedures designed to protect civil liberties.
Heartbreaking. The world lost a true hero.
Assata Shakur has "died in Havana, Cuba, as a result of health conditions and her advanced age."
She was 78.
She was 78.
Assata Shakur, political activist and ex-Black Liberation Army member, has died
Assata Shakur “died in Havana, Cuba, as a result of health conditions and her advanced age,” according to Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
www.whatimreading.net
September 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Heartbreaking. The world lost a true hero.
Reposted by Mike S
Assata Shakur has "died in Havana, Cuba, as a result of health conditions and her advanced age."
She was 78.
She was 78.
Assata Shakur, political activist and ex-Black Liberation Army member, has died
Assata Shakur “died in Havana, Cuba, as a result of health conditions and her advanced age,” according to Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
www.whatimreading.net
September 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Assata Shakur has "died in Havana, Cuba, as a result of health conditions and her advanced age."
She was 78.
She was 78.
Reposted by Mike S
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the UNCF, the largest private provider of scholarships to minority students.
MacKenzie Scott gives $70 million to UNCF to financially strengthen HBCUs
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the UNCF, the largest private provider of scholarships to minority students.
bit.ly
September 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the UNCF, the largest private provider of scholarships to minority students.
Reposted by Mike S
As a mentor, educator, and chemist with a disability, Shana V. Stoddard brings a powerful and multifaceted perspective to scientific research and higher education. cen.acs.org/synthesis/me... #chemsky 🧪
Shana V. Stoddard: How to create an environment for all science students to succeed
Grad student <b>Alyssa T. Paparella</b> talks with this computational biochemist about adjusting work styles and leaning on community
cen.acs.org
September 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
As a mentor, educator, and chemist with a disability, Shana V. Stoddard brings a powerful and multifaceted perspective to scientific research and higher education. cen.acs.org/synthesis/me... #chemsky 🧪