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 · 11h ago

I’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 · 13h ago

There 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.

There 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.

And before anyone tries to make the claim that these reforms are about “ideological diversity”, there’s no indication that there are any efforts to hire more liberal faculty in area that are more conservative or libertarian, such as economics, business, or engineering.

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 2d ago

It's disappointing that college presidents helped the Trump admin create a list of reforms that includes cracking down on protests and hiring faculty members based on conservative ideology. Any institution agreeing to these terms is admitting that they don't actually care about free speech or merit.

It's disappointing that college presidents helped the Trump admin create a list of reforms that includes cracking down on protests and hiring faculty members based on conservative ideology. Any institution agreeing to these terms is admitting that they don't actually care about free speech or merit.

To be clear, freedom of speech rights and protection of such speech primarily relate to government intervention, censorship, retaliation, etc. Demonstrations outside of a WNBA game in public areas are protected. Demonstrations inside an arena are not protected. The two should not be conflated.

The Athletic@theathletic.com · 4d ago

Speaking for the first time since ralliers began assembling in support of her stance against transgender participation in women’s sports, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said this was an opportunity for the WNBA to uphold its values of diversity and inclusion. nyti.ms/4fHr4Qn

People don’t need protection from trans kids. Trans kids need protection from a society that vilifies them, ostracizes them, and incites hate towards them for trying to find acceptance/community. Trans kid have such high rates of suicidal ideation/attempts, and they need all the love and protection.

Chapter 4 draft of dissertation complete!

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 2w ago

Coding and analysis complete. 9 pages into draft of Chapter 4

I keep seeing pushback that there is a difference between standards and respectability politics. Agree. And that might apply in professional settings, but we’re talking about classrooms. Who cares what students wear in class as long as they are safe/healthy? What is the point of these “standards”?

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · last wk.

A dress code is not just a dress code. Black students and young adults are often scrutinized, criticized, and attacked by others. Rather than push back against anti-Black/anti-DEI attacks, those who should care and protect them are doubling down and creating additional reasons to scrutinize them.

I'm so worried about Black queer folk & Black women-identifying people. The language of not wearing "revealing" clothing is going to fall on them completely. And it's up to individual professor discretion to enforce?!? Seems like a recipe for surveillance & punishment for marginalized Black folks

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · last wk.

A dress code is not just a dress code. Black students and young adults are often scrutinized, criticized, and attacked by others. Rather than push back against anti-Black/anti-DEI attacks, those who should care and protect them are doubling down and creating additional reasons to scrutinize them.

A dress code is not just a dress code. Black students and young adults are often scrutinized, criticized, and attacked by others. Rather than push back against anti-Black/anti-DEI attacks, those who should care and protect them are doubling down and creating additional reasons to scrutinize them.

It is possible to respect elders, their past actions, and how they helped get us where we are while still critiquing the beliefs, stances, and political positions that they hold now. It honors their impact yet still holds them accountable for any current problematic/detrimental views or positions.

Forcing respectability onto Black children/young adults has always been harmful. And it is often worse when forced upon them by Black people who should be but often aren’t safe. There is no level of respectability that will erase society’s disdain for Blackness or desire to uphold racial hierarchy.

I’ve taught college for 10+ years. I’ve never cared what they wore except if they were dressed or groomed in a way that made me concerned about physical or mental wellbeing or safety. A classroom isn’t the workplace. It is a place of learning, and I encourage students to come as they are/want to be.

BlackskyNews 🗞️@blackskynews.blacksky.app · 2w ago

“The goal here is not meant to restrict students from enjoying the Tuskegee Experience, but to prepare them with a solid foundation for the workforce they will enter once they leave Tuskegee,” Tuskeegee President Dr. Mark A. Brown wrote. afrotech.com/tuskegee-uni... #BlackskyNews

I’ve said it many times and will say it again. Stop using “DEI” pejoratively. Stop saying “DEI hire” even to mock someone/point out hypocrisy. Don’t give a platform or credibility to false ideas that DEI means lesser/not deserving. Like “woke”, it is damaging to allow others to redefine/reframe it.

Though some are often inauthentic and doing it to try to gain favor, many don’t recognize that the chameleon effect can happen quickly, even with strangers. Mimicking speech patterns can be very subconscious. Also, studies have shown a connection between empathy and adopting speech patterns/accents.

Kat Tenbarge@kattenbarge.bsky.social · 2w ago

People are making fun of AOC for having a slight southern accent while speaking in Memphis but they clearly don’t know the pain of habitually and unconsciously imitating the speaking style of the people around you

Protect Trans kids. Always.

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 2w ago

People don’t need protection from trans kids. Trans kids need protection from a society that vilifies them, ostracizes them, and incites hate towards them for trying to find acceptance/community. Trans kid have such high rates of suicidal ideation/attempts, and they need all the love and protection.

People don’t need protection from trans kids. Trans kids need protection from a society that vilifies them, ostracizes them, and incites hate towards them for trying to find acceptance/community. Trans kid have such high rates of suicidal ideation/attempts, and they need all the love and protection.

Coding and analysis complete. 9 pages into draft of Chapter 4

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · last mo.

Chapter 1-3 drafts are complete!

Two potential entries: "Spaceships don't come equipped with rearview mirrors" "I'm so ahead of my time, my parents haven't met yet"

Secret Drug Addict@scrtdrugaddict.bsky.social · 2w ago

In many ways, my political beliefs are simple. I’m against any political position, legislation, or action that denies, restricts, or creates a barrier to access to food, housing, well funded public education, healthcare, childcare, or any other basic needs/benefits for any person (adult or child).

They use "comply" to create power/control that is impossible to override. One must act exactly how/when/where/as fast as they want or die. It eliminates justifications of acting reasonably/rationally and worse shifts responsibility away from them because people shouldn't be killed for not complying!

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 2w ago

Homan on people getting killed by ICE: "It comes down to one simple fact -- these people failed to comply with law enforcement ... all they had to do is comply. If they did, they'd be alive today."

Another great thing he did: When the Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales non-consensually kissed Spanish national team midfielder, Jennifer Hermoso, during 2023 World Cup medal ceremony, he refused to play for Spain until Rubiales quit.

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 2w ago

In a world that has many people like Enzo Fernandez of Argentina who shout racist and homophobic chants, be like Borja Iglesias of Spain who spoke in favor of Black Lives Matter, spoke out against homophobia, has called out and been outspoken about the Gaza genocide, and values human rights.

Another great thing he did: When the Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales non-consensually kissed Spanish national team midfielder, Jennifer Hermoso, during 2023 World Cup medal ceremony, he refused to play for Spain until Rubiales quit.

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 2w ago

In a world that has many people like Enzo Fernandez of Argentina who shout racist and homophobic chants, be like Borja Iglesias of Spain who spoke in favor of Black Lives Matter, spoke out against homophobia, has called out and been outspoken about the Gaza genocide, and values human rights.

In a world that has many people like Enzo Fernandez of Argentina who shout racist and homophobic chants, be like Borja Iglesias of Spain who spoke in favor of Black Lives Matter, spoke out against homophobia, has called out and been outspoken about the Gaza genocide, and values human rights.

I’m an Aston Villa fan, so I’ve seen most games Emi Martinez has played. He is a very good keeper for club, but he is consistently world class for Argentina. And if somehow it gets to penalties (I don’t see it happening), he’s the master of shithousery and I wouldn’t bet against him.

There was a "He Gets Us" ad that was run during the World Cup, so i offer this reminder👇🏽

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · last yr.

Reminder that while the “He Gets Us” ads pretend to be “inclusive”/care about everyone, up until 2024, the group that ran them (The Servant Foundation) donated over $60 million to an anti-abortion, anti-contraception, anti-LGBT rights conservative legal advocacy group (Alliance Defending Freedom).

I'm really confused by everything happening during this halftime show, and I think that made me kind of like it. Biggest Pro: There were muppets Biggest Con: Justin Bieber is still a thing.

A month later and no answers/accountability. Instead, the story seems to be fading out of the mainstream. A 1-year-old was shot by the police over an accusation of shoplifting a box of diapers. This should talked about nonstop on every national media outlet until the officer is held accountable.

Marcelius Braxton@marceliusb.bsky.social · 2mo ago

In a society that actually cares about people, someone who's even believed to be stealing diapers would be met with assistance, resources, and money to make sure they would never again feel like they must steal for their basic needs. In the U.S., we respond by sending government sanctioned killers.