Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
@vaughncrossca.bsky.social
Social Historian, Pre-21c Tech History, American Religious History, History of SexRaceReligion in the US Bible Belt; 6th-Generation Alabamian; Anti-Trump 1989+ “All I have is a voice to undo the folded lie” - WA Auden, “Sept 1, 1939”
Pleasantly surprised & moved by 1st-yr college students’ response to this article abt the purpose of a University education, Gen Ed, “Narratives” vs “Databases” & the need for analog institutions - esp in education - as ppl spend more time in digital spaces
christianscholars.com/why-institut...
christianscholars.com/why-institut...
Why Institutions Still Matter - Christian Scholar’s Review
It’s common to observe that digital technology has undermined the assumption that institutions are trustworthy. Some people lament it, and others celebrate it, but everybody sees it. Thanks to the Int...
christianscholars.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Pleasantly surprised & moved by 1st-yr college students’ response to this article abt the purpose of a University education, Gen Ed, “Narratives” vs “Databases” & the need for analog institutions - esp in education - as ppl spend more time in digital spaces
christianscholars.com/why-institut...
christianscholars.com/why-institut...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Burns: “Americans today are detached from the war’s sometimes difficult truths. There is, however, comfort in complication, when the distractions of myths & nostalgia are replaced not by unforgiving revisionism but by unblinking comprehension of always winding, often violent, course of human events”
Opinion | No historical event benefited the world more than the Revolutionary War
Ken Burns’s “The American Revolution” tells a tale sometimes dismaying but ultimately exhilarating.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Burns: “Americans today are detached from the war’s sometimes difficult truths. There is, however, comfort in complication, when the distractions of myths & nostalgia are replaced not by unforgiving revisionism but by unblinking comprehension of always winding, often violent, course of human events”
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Randall Balmer: The course of instruction, called Campaign University, is part of the megachurch’s foray into partisan politics. One of the pastors, Nate Schatzline, is a member of Donald Trump’s National Faith Advisory Board.
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
By the Way | A Curriculum for Political Engagement
The graduates of Campaign University should be defending the separation of church and state, not undermining it.
goodfaithmedia.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Randall Balmer: The course of instruction, called Campaign University, is part of the megachurch’s foray into partisan politics. One of the pastors, Nate Schatzline, is a member of Donald Trump’s National Faith Advisory Board.
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
🔖 by @amandamarcotte.bsky.social
“Kirk made his infamous Whatever appearance in January 2024.” After that his college campus tours focused even more on generating bite-sized clips of young women that would show up on Whatever’s misogynist algorithms….
www.salon.com/2025/11/21/t...
“Kirk made his infamous Whatever appearance in January 2024.” After that his college campus tours focused even more on generating bite-sized clips of young women that would show up on Whatever’s misogynist algorithms….
www.salon.com/2025/11/21/t...
The online clip factory that's radicalizing teen boys - Salon.com
How a wildly popular YouTube “dating” show heaps mockery on women to create "so many more incels”
www.salon.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
🔖 by @amandamarcotte.bsky.social
“Kirk made his infamous Whatever appearance in January 2024.” After that his college campus tours focused even more on generating bite-sized clips of young women that would show up on Whatever’s misogynist algorithms….
www.salon.com/2025/11/21/t...
“Kirk made his infamous Whatever appearance in January 2024.” After that his college campus tours focused even more on generating bite-sized clips of young women that would show up on Whatever’s misogynist algorithms….
www.salon.com/2025/11/21/t...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
I spent October traveling to schools throughout the South talking to students about American history. What I found were young people who understand we can tell a story that includes both the positive and the negative. As one 8th grader in Memphis said, “Doesn’t seem that hard, just say both things.”
Tell Students the Truth About American History
We owe it to Americans of all ages to be honest about the country’s past, including its contradictions.
www.theatlantic.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I spent October traveling to schools throughout the South talking to students about American history. What I found were young people who understand we can tell a story that includes both the positive and the negative. As one 8th grader in Memphis said, “Doesn’t seem that hard, just say both things.”
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
After the Jan 6 attack, when the Trump brand became toxic, Saudi Arabia became one of the most important sources of new deals for the Trump Organization.
My latest for @theguardian.com on how Trump and MBS bailed each other out | www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My latest for @theguardian.com on how Trump and MBS bailed each other out | www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 AM
After the Jan 6 attack, when the Trump brand became toxic, Saudi Arabia became one of the most important sources of new deals for the Trump Organization.
My latest for @theguardian.com on how Trump and MBS bailed each other out | www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My latest for @theguardian.com on how Trump and MBS bailed each other out | www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
NEW: Churches in Charlotte are hosting trainings on how to response to ICE agents — with *hundreds* filling pews.
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
As ICE descends on Charlotte, faith leaders draw on other cities' actions to aid immigrants
(RNS) — As many as 500 people, a mix of clergy and other volunteers, have appeared at the training sessions on how to counter ICE.
religionnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
NEW: Churches in Charlotte are hosting trainings on how to response to ICE agents — with *hundreds* filling pews.
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
A cache of emails from the longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell shows her prison conditions improving dramatically as a crisis grew for Trump, @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social reports. theatln.tc/N6YfERuF
November 20, 2025 at 9:44 PM
A cache of emails from the longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell shows her prison conditions improving dramatically as a crisis grew for Trump, @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social reports. theatln.tc/N6YfERuF
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Democrats yielded control of their time to Thomas Massie, not a thing you see very often. Massie just said Republicans refused to allow him time to speak on their side
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Democrats yielded control of their time to Thomas Massie, not a thing you see very often. Massie just said Republicans refused to allow him time to speak on their side
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Massie: "We fought the president, the AG, the FBI director, the Speaker of the House, and the VP to get this win."
November 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Massie: "We fought the president, the AG, the FBI director, the Speaker of the House, and the VP to get this win."
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
More than 500 people met at a Raleigh church. | Opinion
As Border Patrol arrived, this small army mobilized to keep Raleigh neighbors safe | Opinion
More than 500 people met at a Raleigh church. | Opinion
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 AM
More than 500 people met at a Raleigh church. | Opinion
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
NEW: For Rev. David Black, the pastor seen shot in the head w/pepper balls by DHS agents in a viral clip, protesting ICE is part of an old Christian tradition.
“I’m seeing almost a revival of Christianity through what’s happening at Broadview in Chicago,” he says. religionnews.com/2025/11/19/f...
“I’m seeing almost a revival of Christianity through what’s happening at Broadview in Chicago,” he says. religionnews.com/2025/11/19/f...
For the Rev. David Black, protesting ICE is part of an old Christian tradition
(RNS) — ‘I’m seeing almost a revival of Christianity through what’s happening at Broadview in Chicago,’ the Rev. David Black said.
religionnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
NEW: For Rev. David Black, the pastor seen shot in the head w/pepper balls by DHS agents in a viral clip, protesting ICE is part of an old Christian tradition.
“I’m seeing almost a revival of Christianity through what’s happening at Broadview in Chicago,” he says. religionnews.com/2025/11/19/f...
“I’m seeing almost a revival of Christianity through what’s happening at Broadview in Chicago,” he says. religionnews.com/2025/11/19/f...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
when all the lawyers on your timeline go off at once
November 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
when all the lawyers on your timeline go off at once
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
November 19, 2025 at 11:35 AM
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
NEW: The prosecution of James Comey is hanging by a thread, besieged on all sides by challenges to the legitimacy of the prosecutor, the grand jury process and the motives for bringing the case in the first place.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
NEW: The prosecution of James Comey is hanging by a thread, besieged on all sides by challenges to the legitimacy of the prosecutor, the grand jury process and the motives for bringing the case in the first place.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
One of the most important posts in Southern Baptists’ history.
Stay tuned.
#AmericanReligiousHistory
#womenshistory
#southernhistory
open.substack.com/pub/dearbapt...
Stay tuned.
#AmericanReligiousHistory
#womenshistory
#southernhistory
open.substack.com/pub/dearbapt...
Dear Baptist Women, Part 1
November 18, 2025
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:29 AM
One of the most important posts in Southern Baptists’ history.
Stay tuned.
#AmericanReligiousHistory
#womenshistory
#southernhistory
open.substack.com/pub/dearbapt...
Stay tuned.
#AmericanReligiousHistory
#womenshistory
#southernhistory
open.substack.com/pub/dearbapt...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
As he was being arrested, Rev. Woolf asked police to loosen the restraints on his hands, as one of his hands was going numb.
According to Woolf, an officer replied to the pastor: “Nobody wants to talk to you — shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
According to Woolf, an officer replied to the pastor: “Nobody wants to talk to you — shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
At least seven faith leaders arrested at Broadview ICE facility protest
(RNS) — 'I've got bruises all over my body,' the Rev. Michael Woolf, who was thrown to the ground and arrested by police, told RNS.
religionnews.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:05 PM
As he was being arrested, Rev. Woolf asked police to loosen the restraints on his hands, as one of his hands was going numb.
According to Woolf, an officer replied to the pastor: “Nobody wants to talk to you — shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
According to Woolf, an officer replied to the pastor: “Nobody wants to talk to you — shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Once again, I reiterate: the Christian right has made entire political and fundraising campaigns about supposedly impending "criminalization of Christianity" by Democratically-led governments, and that they would literally be prevented from worshipping.
Correction: technically DHS called the protesters "imbecilic morons" — not just "imbeciles."
I regret this error.
I regret this error.
November 16, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Once again, I reiterate: the Christian right has made entire political and fundraising campaigns about supposedly impending "criminalization of Christianity" by Democratically-led governments, and that they would literally be prevented from worshipping.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Charlotte NC protest against ICE at First Ward Park with more people joining every minute
November 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Charlotte NC protest against ICE at First Ward Park with more people joining every minute
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
“I’m not quite sure what border we’re patrolling here,” one state representative said. “Are we patrolling Rock Hill or South Carolina?”
‘No transparency.’ Charlotte leaders blast secrecy around Border Patrol move into NC
“I’m not quite sure what border we’re patrolling here,” one state representative said. “Are we patrolling Rock Hill or South Carolina?”
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
“I’m not quite sure what border we’re patrolling here,” one state representative said. “Are we patrolling Rock Hill or South Carolina?”
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
A Charlotte pastor said Border Patrol came into his church and made an arrest in front of children. They cried “a lot,” he said.
“We are trying to clean the property. We didn’t know this is gonna happen.”
#borderpatrol #charlotte #nc
“We are trying to clean the property. We didn’t know this is gonna happen.”
#borderpatrol #charlotte #nc
November 15, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A Charlotte pastor said Border Patrol came into his church and made an arrest in front of children. They cried “a lot,” he said.
“We are trying to clean the property. We didn’t know this is gonna happen.”
#borderpatrol #charlotte #nc
“We are trying to clean the property. We didn’t know this is gonna happen.”
#borderpatrol #charlotte #nc
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
NC Governor urges citizens to remain peaceful but vigilant as Border Patrol arrives in Charlotte ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-go... #ncpol #Charlotte
NC Governor urges citizens to remain peaceful but vigilant as Border Patrol arrives in Charlotte • NC Newsline
The veteran Democratic congresswoman said she has heard from numerous constituents worried about how immigration enforcement will unfold in the Queen City.
ncnewsline.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:17 PM
NC Governor urges citizens to remain peaceful but vigilant as Border Patrol arrives in Charlotte ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-go... #ncpol #Charlotte
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Trump launches a military occupation of Charlotte, NC, to punish the city for having a Democratic governor and Democratic mayor. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Charlotte latest Democratic-run city targeted by Trump’s anti-immigration offensive
Agents were spotted making arrests across the city as the Homeland Security announced the action
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Trump launches a military occupation of Charlotte, NC, to punish the city for having a Democratic governor and Democratic mayor. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Political outrage over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show selection reveals a larger pattern: culture wars now begin in the political sector, manufactured by partisans and amplified by media before the actual event even occurs, according to the author of a book on propaganda. buff.ly/oNAs4QT
Bad Bunny is the latest product of political rage — how pop culture became the front line of American politics
Culture wars once arose from impromptu events that struck a nerve among Americans, but they are now started by partisan agitators who introduce them to politicians and watch them take hold.
buff.ly
November 15, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Political outrage over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show selection reveals a larger pattern: culture wars now begin in the political sector, manufactured by partisans and amplified by media before the actual event even occurs, according to the author of a book on propaganda. buff.ly/oNAs4QT