William E. Ketchum III
@weketchum.bsky.social
Writer + Editor (Vulture, NYT, VIBE, BET, The Root, Newsweek, XXL, etc.). “My journalistic range is a catalyst for change.” © Black Thought
Loves: Hip-hop, basketball, sneakers, like three Nintendo Switch games
Work: https://weketchum.contently.com
Loves: Hip-hop, basketball, sneakers, like three Nintendo Switch games
Work: https://weketchum.contently.com
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
i think i am pretty good at tiktok style vertical video. i speak extemporaneously and coherently in a way that flows quite naturally. you might even say i am “authentic.” this is 100% the product of constant practice. you have to *work* at translating your feeling and belief into a message.
People keep saying this but I strongly disagree that most people can successfully perform an emotion on camera or speaking in front of a crowd if you merely authentically experience that emotion. It's much harder than you think it is. bsky.app/profile/inep...
It's still galling that a Democratic politician would need speech training and acting classes to learn how to convey anger at the demolition of the East Wing of the White House. So many Dem politicians are Turing Test failures, trapped somewhere in the uncanny valley between human and robot.
October 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
i think i am pretty good at tiktok style vertical video. i speak extemporaneously and coherently in a way that flows quite naturally. you might even say i am “authentic.” this is 100% the product of constant practice. you have to *work* at translating your feeling and belief into a message.
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
this is such an important point. i do not think that the typical american understands that for most of their lives, someone like james madison or george washington or thomas jefferson was *surrounded* by black people.
A big point in my Founders in American memory class is that the visual culture of the 19th century whitewashed the era of the revolution out of recognition. I ask students if there were Black soldiers at Yorktown and if anything they describe back the Trumbull painting.
can’t overstate how shoddy the actual work is. “the framers didn’t think black people counted in the constitutional order” falls apart with a single question: “well what did they think about all the free blacks that most of them lived around, encountered, and even hired for work?”
June 21, 2025 at 1:12 PM
this is such an important point. i do not think that the typical american understands that for most of their lives, someone like james madison or george washington or thomas jefferson was *surrounded* by black people.
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
Had a quality chat w/ @weketchum.bsky.social about regionalism in hip-hop, the stakes of rap battles (real or not) + aftermath of Joey Badass v. The West/Field/20 whatever nomenclature you choose. Check out this clip. Link to listen in the next skeet #blueskyhiphop
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXqa...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXqa...
Joey Bada$$ vs The West Coast aka New Joey City. Jayson Rodriguez & William Ketchum talk the 20 v. 1
YouTube video by Jayson Rodriguez
www.youtube.com
June 2, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Had a quality chat w/ @weketchum.bsky.social about regionalism in hip-hop, the stakes of rap battles (real or not) + aftermath of Joey Badass v. The West/Field/20 whatever nomenclature you choose. Check out this clip. Link to listen in the next skeet #blueskyhiphop
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXqa...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXqa...
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
Don't have anything new to say about AI here. One thing I will say is that higher ed has long been broken. If elites had spent more time thinking through the point of education and how well we really do it than stoking woke panic, maybe we wouldn't be staring at this abyss. nymag.com/intelligence...
May 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Don't have anything new to say about AI here. One thing I will say is that higher ed has long been broken. If elites had spent more time thinking through the point of education and how well we really do it than stoking woke panic, maybe we wouldn't be staring at this abyss. nymag.com/intelligence...
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
Golden toilet guy thinks your kid has too much.
Trump: "I don't think a beautiful baby girl that's 11 years old needs to have 30 dolls. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls ... they don't need to have 250 pencils. They can have five."
May 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Golden toilet guy thinks your kid has too much.
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
the thing about this is...like, it's grotesque and ridiculous, but it's also like as normal as trump gets in terms of spin.
it's clumsy spin, but it's just spin. if this was the worst trump's lying got, we'd be so much better off. 1
it's clumsy spin, but it's just spin. if this was the worst trump's lying got, we'd be so much better off. 1
WELKER: When does it become the Trump economy?
TRUMP: It partially is right now. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy
TRUMP: It partially is right now. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy
May 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
the thing about this is...like, it's grotesque and ridiculous, but it's also like as normal as trump gets in terms of spin.
it's clumsy spin, but it's just spin. if this was the worst trump's lying got, we'd be so much better off. 1
it's clumsy spin, but it's just spin. if this was the worst trump's lying got, we'd be so much better off. 1
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
the trump administration, obviously concerned with racial equality, thinks its illegal discrimination to spend federal dollars protecting a predominantly black community from raw sewage
Calling it "illegal DEI," Trump issues EO to shut down a program redirecting human waste away from a rural Alabama area regularly flooded with sewage during climate-change-amplified storms.
The area's population is over 72% Black.
www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/...
The area's population is over 72% Black.
www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/...
Trump shut down program to end human waste backing into Alabama homes, calling it 'illegal DEI'
A $26 million federal program to help residents of Lowndes County, Alabama, who have dealt with inadequate sewage systems for decades was stopped by an executive order.
www.nbcnews.com
May 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
the trump administration, obviously concerned with racial equality, thinks its illegal discrimination to spend federal dollars protecting a predominantly black community from raw sewage
Sigh. Yup
I've been in this industry for 20 years, and the experience is consistently, "I would love that job...oh wait, that job doesn't exist anymore."
May 1, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Sigh. Yup
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
I've been in this industry for 20 years, and the experience is consistently, "I would love that job...oh wait, that job doesn't exist anymore."
May 1, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I've been in this industry for 20 years, and the experience is consistently, "I would love that job...oh wait, that job doesn't exist anymore."
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
From Mac Miller to Mos Def: Album Reviews We Regret w/ @toure.bsky.social @afantano.bsky.social @weketchum.bsky.social
youtu.be/RJUQiS45tO4?si…
youtu.be/RJUQiS45tO4?si…
Miller to Mos Def: Album Reviews We Regret w/ @fantano @toureshow & WEKetchum
YouTube video by The Company Man
https://youtu.be/RJUQiS45tO4?si…
April 2, 2025 at 4:28 AM
From Mac Miller to Mos Def: Album Reviews We Regret w/ @toure.bsky.social @afantano.bsky.social @weketchum.bsky.social
youtu.be/RJUQiS45tO4?si…
youtu.be/RJUQiS45tO4?si…
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
They won't read.
I feel confident in predicting history will judge this decade or so as the absolutely stupidest time in American history.
Honestly our kids and grandkids will read about this time and be shocked that adults existed.
Honestly our kids and grandkids will read about this time and be shocked that adults existed.
March 24, 2025 at 5:34 AM
They won't read.
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
“Once you decide that a single vulnerable minority can be sacrificed, you’re operating within a fascist logic,” they said. “That means there might be a second one you’re willing to sacrifice and a third, a fourth. Then what happens?”
Abandoning trans people is 'fascist logic', says leading feminist philosopher
Leading feminist philosopher Judith Butler has declared that abandoning trans people or any minority is operating within 'fascist logic'.
www.thepinknews.com
December 18, 2024 at 8:04 PM
“Once you decide that a single vulnerable minority can be sacrificed, you’re operating within a fascist logic,” they said. “That means there might be a second one you’re willing to sacrifice and a third, a fourth. Then what happens?”
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
It isn’t “gun jumping.” It’s capitulation to an authoritarian. Again, if this keeps up, they should all resign. There was nothing untoward or unethical here. It was basic video editing. Admitting to anything else would be journalistic malpractice.
Scoop: Incoming Paramount boss Jeff Shell has made it clear to CBS News chief Wendy McMahon and "60 Minutes" boss Bill Owens that they need to get on board with Trump settlement and possible admission of wrongdoing—something sure to raise questions of gun-jumping. www.status.news/p/paramount-...
Shell-Shocked at CBS
As Paramount’s merger with Skydance nears the finish line, CBS News chief Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” boss Bill Owens have faced escalating pressure to settle Donald Trump’s lawsuit—including from ...
www.status.news
March 4, 2025 at 5:39 PM
It isn’t “gun jumping.” It’s capitulation to an authoritarian. Again, if this keeps up, they should all resign. There was nothing untoward or unethical here. It was basic video editing. Admitting to anything else would be journalistic malpractice.
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
also, seeing that there's an appetite for collective action is Good, Actually, and making it accessible, widespread, and effective, while explaining it in simple terms, is empowering and a great place to start.
rather than "this is stupid, won't work" say "this is great, and the next steps are..."
rather than "this is stupid, won't work" say "this is great, and the next steps are..."
wrote about the boycott, and why it’s not very helpful to tell people it won’t work. there’s value in just trying things at this point, not least because authoritarians want you to feel helpless. www.everythingishorrible.net/p/the-boycot...
The Boycott and the Skeptics
Let people try stuff.
www.everythingishorrible.net
March 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
also, seeing that there's an appetite for collective action is Good, Actually, and making it accessible, widespread, and effective, while explaining it in simple terms, is empowering and a great place to start.
rather than "this is stupid, won't work" say "this is great, and the next steps are..."
rather than "this is stupid, won't work" say "this is great, and the next steps are..."
Give me watermelon, pineapple, and red grapes, and I'm good forever
March 3, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Give me watermelon, pineapple, and red grapes, and I'm good forever
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
you know, as far as Black tastemakers go, I wanna shout out @deephunk.bsky.social @djtara.bsky.social and the whole rare form crew.
It’s the last day of Black history month. Hit me with your favorite (and underrated) Black inventor and tastemaker.
a woman is playing music on a turntable while wearing headphones and giving a thumbs up .
Alt: Taraji P. Henson is playing music on a turntable while wearing headphones. She throws her right hands up in a “come on over” hand gesture, mouthing “come on”
media.tenor.com
February 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
you know, as far as Black tastemakers go, I wanna shout out @deephunk.bsky.social @djtara.bsky.social and the whole rare form crew.
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
they should make vitamins for men. vitamen
they should make robitussin for men. brobitussin
February 27, 2025 at 4:55 AM
they should make vitamins for men. vitamen
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
A new $15 million jazz fellowship is granting 50 artists over the age of 62 a $100,000 grant, professional support and performance opportunities
New jazz fellowship honors the genre's elders and gives them each an unrestricted $100,000 grant
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and The Jazz Foundation of America on Tuesday announced the Jazz Legacies Fellowship -- a new $15 million program that will give 50 artists who are 62 years or older a ...
apnews.com
February 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
A new $15 million jazz fellowship is granting 50 artists over the age of 62 a $100,000 grant, professional support and performance opportunities
👀
Pistons 81, Celtics 71, 3:37 left in the 3rd. Pistons are shooting 10-17 overall and only have on turnover in the 2nd half so far. Celtics have cooled off from and haven't had an easier time scoring inside
February 27, 2025 at 1:33 AM
👀
Shit like this is just one element of why I hate the death penalty so much. Imagine if this dude was executed before this new evidence came out
A Hawaii man who spent more than 30 years behind bars for a murder he had long insisted he did not commit, was released on Friday on the orders of a judge who cited new evidence in his case.
Hawaii Man Wrongfully Convicted of Murder Is Freed After 30 Years
Gordon Cordeiro, 51, who was serving a life sentence for a 1994 murder on Maui, was released on Friday after DNA evidence was presented in his case.
www.nytimes.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Shit like this is just one element of why I hate the death penalty so much. Imagine if this dude was executed before this new evidence came out
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
"Friday's purge at the Pentagon isn’t an isolated maneuver — it’s indicative of an administration intent on reshaping itself around the president’s personal network," writes the Times editorial board.
Opinion | Trump, Again, Chooses Loyalty Over Leadership
The firing of the nation’s top military officer is the latest example of the president prioritizing fealty over sound policy and expertise.
www.nytimes.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
"Friday's purge at the Pentagon isn’t an isolated maneuver — it’s indicative of an administration intent on reshaping itself around the president’s personal network," writes the Times editorial board.
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
My Loves, please help a survivor avoid eviction after sexual assualt by a client. Please share or donate. She needs to raise $2400 by February 28. 🤲🏽
#mutualaid #blacksky #support
gofund.me/2e650495
#mutualaid #blacksky #support
gofund.me/2e650495
Donate to EMERGENCY! Facing Eviction After Assault, organized by Nataki Whitten
Hi everyone,
I never imagined having to ask for help like this, but ri… Nataki Whitten needs your support for EMERGENCY! Facing Eviction After Assault
gofund.me
February 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
My Loves, please help a survivor avoid eviction after sexual assualt by a client. Please share or donate. She needs to raise $2400 by February 28. 🤲🏽
#mutualaid #blacksky #support
gofund.me/2e650495
#mutualaid #blacksky #support
gofund.me/2e650495
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
watched some reacher on the treadmill today and i do love that we have a whole franchise whose central premise is “what if a man were really big”
February 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
watched some reacher on the treadmill today and i do love that we have a whole franchise whose central premise is “what if a man were really big”
Reposted by William E. Ketchum III
I am so sick of this shit. It’s a Sieg Heil. It’s a Nazi salute. Anyone who sees it knows. It’s ridiculous that legal departments presumably won’t let media call it what it is. Bannon made “a provocative gesture that resembled the salute Elon Musk gave at a post-inauguration rally”? Fuck off.
February 21, 2025 at 2:25 AM
I am so sick of this shit. It’s a Sieg Heil. It’s a Nazi salute. Anyone who sees it knows. It’s ridiculous that legal departments presumably won’t let media call it what it is. Bannon made “a provocative gesture that resembled the salute Elon Musk gave at a post-inauguration rally”? Fuck off.
For a few weeks, I wanted to reach out to the Trump voters I knew and ask how they felt about all he's done so far. But from what I've seen, esp in that WSJ story, I'm not even curious to hear what they have to say. No response they can give will be helpful for me
February 21, 2025 at 5:36 AM
For a few weeks, I wanted to reach out to the Trump voters I knew and ask how they felt about all he's done so far. But from what I've seen, esp in that WSJ story, I'm not even curious to hear what they have to say. No response they can give will be helpful for me