Marcelius Braxton
@marceliusb.bsky.social
"Mar" "Sell" Us". J.D., D.Ed. Director, Center for Social Change, Associate Teaching Prof (Africana Studies/Philosophy), Adjunct Law Professor, Former Law School Dean of Students, K-12 DEI admin, and cultural center director. *Views are my own*
Using the terms “Woke 1"/“Woke 2” isn't cute or funny, but it does play into and legitimize a false narrative of what "woke" means. That harmful narrative positions any mention of race, gender, sexuality, etc. or any semblance of inclusion, equity, justice as unserious, baseless, or out of touch.
Using the terms “Woke 1"/“Woke 2” isn't cute or funny, but it does play into and legitimize a false narrative of what "woke" means. That harmful narrative positions any mention of race, gender, sexuality, etc. or any semblance of inclusion, equity, justice as unserious, baseless, or out of touch.
Conversations about K-12 ed would be much better if instead of operating as if most parents don’t care about their child and education, many would operate as if most parents do care and there are economic, social, political, and personal barriers making it hard for some to show/actualize that care.
At the end of the day, the discussion brings me back to a quite general question/belief: How can our ethics, morals, politics, and allocation of resources align so that doing the best for one’s own child can be directly in alignment with and not in conflict with serving all children and their needs?
Phil Lewis@phillewis.bsky.social · last mo.New from Nikole Hannah-Jones: In fighting for every Black child, Did I betray my own? ‘A decade ago, I made a decision about my daughter’s education that I hoped would challenge NYC’s unequal school system. Now 16, she thinks I made the wrong choice’
Doctoral defense is set for 11:30am on September 29th via Zoom. The public portion is about 20-30 minutes. If you're interested in attending the public portion and haven't already done so, let me know and I'll send you the google form to sign up for the Zoom link.
I just want to say that one of the biggest red flags is anyone who refers to themselves as “apolitical.”
Doctoral defense is set for 11:30am on September 29th via Zoom. The public portion is about 20-30 minutes. If you're interested in attending the public portion and haven't already done so, let me know and I'll send you the google form to sign up for the Zoom link.
I just want to say that one of the biggest red flags is anyone who refers to themselves as “apolitical.”
Fetterman never wanted to do the work of a senator. He only cares about his own interests/one foreign entity (Israel). He wants praise without earning it. He craves attention from anyone who will give it. The only role he takes seriously is being adversarial to his party when he doesn't get his way.
The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com · 2mo agoBehind closed doors, John Fetterman dodges constituents, alienates fellow Democrats and shows little interest in the work of a senator.
Fetterman never wanted to do the work of a senator. He only cares about his own interests/one foreign entity (Israel). He wants praise without earning it. He craves attention from anyone who will give it. The only role he takes seriously is being adversarial to his party when he doesn't get his way.
The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com · 2mo agoBehind closed doors, John Fetterman dodges constituents, alienates fellow Democrats and shows little interest in the work of a senator.
It was ugly but the Tar Heels pulled it off! Tar!!!!!
Something I’ve always admired about Dolly Parton is that on many issues she didn’t just tell you where she stood. She showed you where she stood with her actions, money, and time. Honoring her legacy means recognizing her support of literacy, racial justice, inclusion, and queer and trans rights.
Got approval to defend! Defense date being scheduled in late September/early October.
Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 3mo agoFirst draft of my dissertation complete! 109 pages of text (not including references, appendices, etc.)
A position or view currently being “mainstream” or shared by the majority does not, in itself, make it a good, right, justified, or acceptable position or view. Look at all the things in history that were “mainstream” or shared by the majority, especially views/positions that are meant to oppress.
Many claim to value “merit” BECAUSE it is a subjective term with selective application. Many say things should be based on “merit” but intentionally leave it undefined/loosely defined with exceptions because they want the ability to exclude, selectively apply it, or weaponize it for/against others.
My advice for POC writers/academics/etc: Making it part of your personality/work to be the POC who bashes other POC to separate oneself or gain esteem will never work out for you. You will be used and thrown away because, at the end of the day, you are still you when you stop being useful to them.
I keep seeing “Woke 1”, “Woke 2”, and I come back to this ⬇️
Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · last yr.The response to people intentionally misusing "woke" shouldn't be engaging with it on their terms, even if trying to make it positive. The origin was Black folks directing it towards other Black folks, noting that they need to be aware of racial threats and the dangers of white people in the U.S. /1
I keep seeing “Woke 1”, “Woke 2”, and I come back to this ⬇️
Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · last yr.The response to people intentionally misusing "woke" shouldn't be engaging with it on their terms, even if trying to make it positive. The origin was Black folks directing it towards other Black folks, noting that they need to be aware of racial threats and the dangers of white people in the U.S. /1
Just a reminder that no one should listen to anything James Carville (or really anyone who markets themselves as a "moderate") says.
Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 2y agoEvery time people bring up James Carville, I remind folks that not only has Carville not helped win a relevant campaign in decades, but he critiqued Howard Dean and the 2006 fifty-state strategy, arguably the most successful strategy by Democrats in years and instrumental to Barack Obama’s success.
Enes Kantor thinks he's being witty/funny by "declaring himself an WNBA prospect". The reality is that if trans athletes are so prevalent/this was such a common issue, he wouldn't need to play this terrible joke. He's basically proving the point that they're manufacturing issues for false outrage.
First draft of my dissertation complete! 109 pages of text (not including references, appendices, etc.)
Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 3mo agoChapter 4 draft of dissertation complete!
The reason Ossoff is good at this is unlike many others, he uses his power to help constituents rather than only seeking power for power’s sake. He built a responsive infrastructure and knows delivering local/state results can garner support. It’s why split votes happen. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Why 2 GOP mayors are crossing party lines for Jon Ossoff
Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Tifton Mayor Julie Smith aren’t household names, but their willingness to cross party lines signals a weakness for Mike Collins.
ajc.com
The reason Ossoff is good at this is unlike many others, he uses his power to help constituents rather than only seeking power for power’s sake. He built a responsive infrastructure and knows delivering local/state results can garner support. It’s why split votes happen. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Why 2 GOP mayors are crossing party lines for Jon Ossoff
Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Tifton Mayor Julie Smith aren’t household names, but their willingness to cross party lines signals a weakness for Mike Collins.
ajc.com
Dems in power will use polling to distract from the fact that Stevens lost as a current rep with party backing, almost unlimited money, and estsblishment endorsements. Whether she lost by 10% or .1% should be a wake up call that they’re very out of touch with voters. But many won’t care or listen.
Outside the South but I gave a talk at an AI Ethics conference about how the PA constitution (and maybe others) can be used to push back against data centers, and I’ve heard from people in various states across political parties. The anti-data center movement might be the most bipartisan movement.
Tressie McMillan Cottom@tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 3mo agoI’ve been screening our documentary with organizing communities in the South. So far, the organizers mention data centers first at every single event. From racial justice orgs to old school activists who don’t usually think about tech policy. This has legs.
While Rogers lost by a small margin, that was with Trump on the ballot. Repubs haven’t won a major statewide election in Michigan 10+ years. With straight ticket voting, a Dem leaning year, outreach to Black voters, and reconciliation, many Dems who voted against AES in the primary will support him.
Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 3mo agoThere will be lots of talk about whether Abdul El-Sayed will underperform compared to a moderate, but in 2024, Slotkin ran as a moderate in Michigan and didn’t even outperform Harris. Rogers just underperformed compared to Trump. The idea that centrists are necessary or solve all problems is false.