Melanie Sonsteng-Person
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sonstengperson.bsky.social
Melanie Sonsteng-Person
@sonstengperson.bsky.social
1K followers 1.4K following 840 posts
Asst Prof of Social Work || PAR & Qual methodologist || Working with communities to interrupt racial & systemic trauma in K12 & higher education || Constant movement towards liberation || #Biking #Academia #Liberation #Climate #Plants #MidCenturyFurniture
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sonstengperson.bsky.social
Looking up some defensive tactics for flooding the zone and saw this amazing post. Can’t wait to include it in my action planning class after spring break.

antiauthoritarianplaybook.substack.com/p/the-flood-...
Screen shot of text from the shared link that states “Instead of letting Trump-Musk’s tactics divide and paralyze us, we can use the breadth of their attack to unify and mobilize opposition at an unprecedented scale. To do that, we need to move on four parallel tracks: Organizing Strategies: Build a Mass Movement that Can Withstand the Storm Through Network Building Narrative Opportunities: Frame the Fight to Activate Broad Support Cultural Strategies: Create Symbols, Stories, and Spectacle to Inspire Resistance Mass Actions: Disrupt, Defend, and Force Crisis on Our Terms”
March 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
I woke up thinking how I might continue to center hope, continue to move towards liberation. While I’m not sure of the answers I do know that we are in this together.

Join the social work activist collective in Jan 30th to begin to build together.

Register here: tinyurl.com/SWACJan25
Flyer inviting people to register for an event called “Building Solidarity in the Face of Political Repression.” Taking place on January 30, 2025 from 7-8:30ET. The description of the event says: Join us for a collaborative space to share experiences, discuss challenges, and brainstorm strategies to strengthen our collective efforts in advancing liberation in the face of political repression. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or new to social work advocacy, this meeting will serve as an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange resources, and build a united base of support. To join you can register at tinyurl.com/SWACJan25
January 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
I won’t be at sswr this year… but for everyone attending join our new Arts-Based Research SIG!!! Happening bright and early on Jan 18th at 7am! The wonderful Greer Hamilton and Danielle Littman will be running it!!
An invite that says you are invited to the inaugural arts-based research and praxis SIG. happening Saturday January 18th 7–7am PST in the Jefferson B level 4 conference room at the Sheraton grand Seattle. For additional information email Danielle.Littman@utah.edu
January 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
Baked the double chocolate Levian cookies and Fattigmann (Norwegian cookies) for a cookie exchange party! I haven’t baked in years and it was really nice to do so again! My first go at Fattigmann and the shape is alllll wrong but they were as good as my great aunts!
December 13, 2024 at 11:30 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
Ok here are the four books I’m debating between for my community practice class. Given the election I want to focus on social change, building community, and community care. What do folks think? #SocialWork #SocialChange #Macro
The zine “Rehearsing Solidarity: Learning from Mutual Aid” by Mark Anthony Hernandez Motaghy with Amy Garapic, Christen McDuffee, Lauren Hudson, Madeline Blount, Matt Taylor, Melaine, Nedra Brown, Sam Musher, and Sonja Darai The book “Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection” by Deepa Iyer The book “Do The Work: A Guide to understanding Power and Creating Change” by Megan Pillow and Roxane Gay The book “Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care” by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba
December 12, 2024 at 1:26 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
What’s everyone’s Spotify wrap up? Alexis Ffrench is my top…. Which is my extremely stressed out music. So what does that tell you about my year lol
December 6, 2024 at 2:01 AM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
Help! I bought these cute midcentury chairs off marketplace and they reek of basement. What should I do?

I’ve tried: vinegar wipe downs, letting baking soda sit on them, putting a dehumidifier under them, open windows, air purifier… nothing has worked.

Any tips or tricks?
October 31, 2024 at 5:32 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
I just got rid of my 20 year old white cons yesterday. My cousin gave me her “old pair” otherwise I would have never replaced them.
A pair of old chuck taylors that were once white but are now brown. Next to a cleaner pair of white chucks.
May 6, 2024 at 7:44 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
A manuscript on our photovoice project with has been published. This piece highlights the impacts of institutional racism in higher education on Black student well-being when universities fail to respond. Please read this manuscript and take action.

View free:

www.tandfonline.com/eprint/DAFB6...
Abstract: Experiences of individual and institutional racism within education hinders the ability of Black students to study safely, negatively impacting their mental health and academic outcomes. However, universities continuously fail to respond, ultimately silencing Black students. Despite persistent educational violence, Black students continue to thrive through radical resistance. To highlight both experiences of oppression and resistance, the current study utilized photovoice to understand the intersectional experience of 5 Black women undergraduate students at predominantly white institutions. Implications inform actionable strategies to ensure Black students are in a space where they can thrive.
March 20, 2024 at 3:10 PM
sonstengperson.bsky.social
The first paper from our photovoice project is out! This manuscript identifies various experiences of anti-Black racism in K-12 to inform interventions schools can implement to better support the well-being of their young Black students.

First 50 views free: www.tandfonline.com/eprint/WNK8K...
Abstract: Anti-Black racism in K-12 education settings has long-term impacts on Black students, including negative academic and mental health outcomes. Limited interventions following experiences of racism shape Black students’ expectations of K-12 education, accumulating over time into institutional distrust and these mental health outcomes. As such, it is necessary to understand how Black students experience racism within K-12 settings to better inform interventions that can be implemented at the school level. To that end, this study employed the participatory action research (PAR) method of photovoice to understand the impacts of racism in educational settings among 5 Black women undergraduate students. Results highlight the cumulative effects of racism on identity development and early coping. Implications inform future interventions to address the cumulative effects of anti-Black racism in K-12 education.
March 19, 2024 at 12:31 PM