“Small children from poor or middle-class families who watch ‘Sesame Street’ do better on cognitive tests and in first grade than children who do not watch it,” Renata Adler wrote, in 1972.

The Invention of “Sesame Street”

Renata Adler’s 1972 review of the program that revolutionized children’s television.

newyorker.com

The denial of racism is the heartbeat of racism. It is essential to keeping racism alive.

Congratulations to Dr. @profblmkelley.bsky.social ! nationalhumanitiescenter.org/national-hum...

National Humanities Center Announces Dr. Blair LM Kelley as New President

After a nationwide search, the National Humanities Center is pleased to announce the selection of historian Blair LM Kelley as its next president and director. Dr. Kelley's appointment marks a pivotal...

nationalhumanitiescenter.org

curbed’s piece on mamdani’s design is so good. great example of how much can be going on with just a name on a solid background www.curbed.com/article/zohr...

Zohran Mamdani’s Campaign Logo Looked Nothing Like a Campaign Logo

The bodega-influenced visual language of an outsider campaign.

curbed.com

Well done, NY!* *the voters, not the Yankees

In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.

The Attacks on Zohran Mamdani Show That We Need a New Understanding of Antisemitism www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/o...

Opinion | The Attacks on Zohran Mamdani Show That We Need a New Understanding of Antisemitism

nytimes.com

This is oligarchy. This is obscene. While 60% live paycheck to paycheck & kids go hungry, Jeff Bezos, worth $230 billion, goes to Venice on his $500 million yacht for a $20 million wedding & spends $5 million on a ring while his real tax rate is just 1.1%. End this oligarchy.

This.

Jamie Perez@jamiegp.bsky.social · last yr.

“The road to authoritarianism is filled with people telling you you are overreacting.” @governorwalz.mn.gov speaking at @americanprogress.bsky.social right now

The blockbuster horror film "Sinners" features the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in a short, impactful scene. For some Choctaw, it is the first time they've heard their language and seen their culture accurately portrayed on screen.

'Sinners' Puts 'Truth on Screen' For The Mississippi Choctaws

For many Mississippi Choctaws, “Sinners” is the first time they've heard their language and seen their culture accurately portrayed on screen.

mississippifreepress.org

Perhaps one of the most influential thinkers in my journey. May your path to light be eased and full of grace… www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, giant of African literature, dies aged 87

Kenyan writer’s death announced by his daughter, who wrote: ‘He lived a full life, fought a good fight’

theguardian.com

In The Trouble of Color, I wrote about discovering my grandmother’s hair in Harvard’s Peabody Museum. It still haunts me. I salute Tamara Lanier who persisted in her quest to win control of her ancestor’s images from the same museum — and prevailed! www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/h...

Harvard Relents After Protracted Fight Over Slave Photos

nytimes.com

5 years ago: “An incalculable loss” Today: Banning masks and restricting vaccine access

This is HUGE. For those wondering why due process is essential for EVERYONE. This is why!

David J. Bier@davidjbier.bsky.social · last yr.

Cato has published my comprehensive review of the ~240 Venezuelans the US government renditioned 2 months ago to Salvador’s notorious prison. We identified FIFTY who came legally, never violated any immigration law, but are imprisoned at the US government’s request and at US taxpayer expense.

I SAID I LOVED YOU AND I WANTED GENOCIDE TO STOP It is always a good morning for June Jordan.

New episodes of “Sesame Street” and library episodes will be available to watch on Netflix worldwide

'Sesame Street' Streaming Rights Head to PBS Kids, Netflix

The streaming rights to Sesame Street are going to Netflix and PBS Kids. This news comes after HBO and Max ended their deal in 2024.

thewrap.com

Baby, the look on my face when I found out that Nottoway Plantation was a RESORT… burn that shit down again.

BIG CHEECH CAKE@chelsisright.bsky.social · last yr.

Which one of yall burned down Nottoway Plantation ?

Raul Julia ain’t got no business being dead smh

Cancer drug Revlimid is one of the bestselling pharmaceutical products of all time, with total sales of over $100 billion. It’s also extraordinarily expensive, costing nearly $1,000 for each pill, even though that pill costs just 25 cents to make. By @davidarmstrongx.bsky.social

The Price of Remission

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I set out to understand why a single pill of Revlimid cost the same as a new iPhone. I’ve covered high drug prices as a reporter for years. What I discovered shocked…

propublica.org

You cannot imagine how devastating this is. Rest in Perfect Peace Koyo Kouoh🙏🏾 news.artnet.com/art-world/ko...

Koyo Kouoh, 2026 Venice Biennale Curator, Dies Suddenly | Artnet News

Koyo Kouoh, executive director and chief curator of Zeitz MOCAA and curator of the next Venice Biennale, died suddenly overnight.

news.artnet.com

We spent the last ten years criticizing the American left for undermining free speech. Now that the America has a right-wing dictator, we plan to focus more on free speech issues in Europe.

4 days to gather in New Haven to ask a second time, Who Owns Black Data? This year's theme is "The Past in Danger." Carla Hayden, the most qualified person to ever hold the position of chief librarian was just fired yesterday. We don't think we exaggerate when we say the past is in danger. #wobd2025

Looking to learn more about the world of #Sinners? Y’all should pick up this multi-generational historical fiction novel: Zeal by Morgan Jenkins. I just finished reading it and it’s beautifully done. #booksky #blackbooksky

apnews.com/article/scho...

The Justice Department ended a decades-old school desegregation order. Others are expected to fall

The Justice Department is lifting a school desegregation order in Louisiana dating to the Civil Rights Movement, calling its continued existence a “historical wrong” and suggesting that others across ...

apnews.com

✨ 41 ✨

I celebrated my birthday this week! Hello 41 (🥰🥳 )! It feels like a blessing to be alive—even amid the current unfolding dystopia. 🎁 For my bday I’m co-hosting a fundraiser to get my lil cousin Lala a bass flute: pls join us if you can! Every little bit helps! www.gofundme.com/f/help-vidal...

As I was saying to a friend today, it's always a privilege to have someone care about your ideas. Gratitude today to The Black Studies Podcast for this opportunity to chat w the glorious Ashley Newby @ digital things, Black Studies things, teaching things, & more! open.spotify.com/episode/6IdA...

Marisa Parham - Department of English, University of Maryland

The Black Studies Podcast · Episode

open.spotify.com

Disappearing people without any due process is fascism — full stop. I’m sick to my stomach and we all should be.