Martha S. Jones (2013 ACLS Fellow) and Kate Masur (2020 Charles A. Ryskamp Research Fellow) have submitted a historians’ amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara. Learn more about scholars working to increase public understanding and inform policymakers on birthright citizenship: bit.ly/4pz9XEk

Amicus briefs aren't just court filings. The best are compact and compelling reads from leading scholars on the biggest issues of the day... and they're FREE! All of which is to say, check out the latest from @marthasjones.bsky.social and @katemasur.bsky.social on birthright citizenship ⬇️...

Honored to have marked the end of Black History Month with The Dr. Carla Hayden to talk about Baltimore as the city that reads on WYPR’s Midday. www.wypr.org/show/midday/...

« The historians’ brief — authored by Professor Martha S. Jones and Professor Kate Masur — centers on the pre–Civil War advocacy of free Black Americans for a broad and inclusive principle of birthright citizenship. » www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

Another excellent brief.

3/Also, I want to celebrate an Black American tradition of the Big Tent, and the Rainbow Coalition: that is at key moments when civil rights were on the line, in each case (birthright citizenship and the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965), we fought to bring immigrants to the table.

2/Read it in full to understand how historians can develop a method in legal history that is respectful about how historians can broaden how we see and understand constitutional law.

1/ @marthasjones.bsky.social and @katemasur.bsky.social have drafted a seminal brief: (a) that centers Black American beliefs on birthright citizenship and (b) uses a set of primary sources, such as speeches and Colored Conventions, fought for (and won) broad birthright citizenship for everyone.

"The framers [of the 14th Amendment] constitutionalized the universal view of birthright citizenship that free Black Americans advanced and the common law guaranteed." @marthasjones.bsky.social and @katemasur.bsky.social provide a powerful history lesson in the form of a legal brief

And, whoosh, this goes straight into the readings for my history methods and theory course.

There is no pair better qualified to speak on this matter. I am so glad they shared their arguments with the Court.

« The historians’ brief — authored by Professor Martha S. Jones and Professor Kate Masur — centers on the pre–Civil War advocacy of free Black Americans for a broad and inclusive principle of birthright citizenship. » www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

« The historians’ brief — authored by Professor Martha S. Jones and Professor Kate Masur — centers on the pre–Civil War advocacy of free Black Americans for a broad and inclusive principle of birthright citizenship. » www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

NEW: Profs. Martha Jones and @brennancenter.org Historians Council Member Kate Masur filed an amicus brief in the upcoming Supreme Court case involving Trump’s attempt to unconstitutionally strip birthright citizenship 🧵

⏰Historians @marthasjones.bsky.social & @katemasur.bsky.social have filed a NEW brief in the birthright citizenship cases. It shows how the story of free Black Americans' advocacy for birthright citizenship unravels Trump's lead justification for his EO. 📑⬇️ www.brennancenter.org/sites/defaul...

Looking forward to being in conversation on "Journalism & History" with @kawulf.bsky.social, @marthasjones.bsky.social & @pastpunditry.bsky.social this evening at 5 p.m. jcblibrary.org/events/journ...

TODAY! Join us virtually at 5:30 p.m. EST for a panel discussion featuring JCB Director Karin Wulf, Laurent Dubois (University of Virginia), Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt University), and Martha Jones (Johns Hopkins University). Register here: brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

related: Vanguard by Martha Jones was very enlightening for me on some of those differences. I had kind of known that Black Protestant churches weren't just a difference of worship style, but all Protestant churches and their differences are a bit mysterious to me, a cradle catholic

And we will round out the first phase of our Journalism and History When History Is News series with a discussion featuring JCB Director Karin Wulf, Laurent Dubois (U of Virginia), Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt U), and Martha Jones (Johns Hopkins U). jcblibrary.org/events/journ...

Join us virtually TOMORROW, February 24, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. EST for a panel discussion featuring JCB Director Karin Wulf, Laurent Dubois (University of Virginia), Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt University), and Martha Jones (Johns Hopkins University). Register here: brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Jennifer Schuessler, a reporter for The New York Times; and a panel of historians including Laurent Dubois of University of Virginia, Nicole Hemmer of Vanderbilt University, and Martha Jones of Johns Hopkins University.

Thank you! And yes, there is so much history it’s not possible to fit it all in. If you are looking at 18th century, you should check out Dr. Martha Jones’ Vanguard, if you havent,

How the military criminalized blackness in Vietnam: my essay on an eye-opening new history of the war. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/b...

True story! The @jcblibrary.bsky.social is hosting a (nearly) year long series of events about History & Journalism -- there's never been a better year to think about this. Beginning w 4 online events in February, interviews with 3 amazing journalists, and then a panel with 3 amazing historians.

Two (2) dates for this tour in February, and then it's gone again! Click thru ⬇️ for more details

Birthright citizenship has been a core constitutional guarantee for ages. If you're just tuning into the discourse now, check out our panel with expert historians @marthasjones.bsky.social @katemasur.bsky.social and Erika Lee: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QCI... @brennancenter.org

Historians @marthasjones.bsky.social and @katemasur.bsky.social filed a critical brief on birthright citizenship in the circuit courts, showing how the story of free Black Americans' advocacy unravels the admin's lead justification for its executive order. www.brennancenter.org/media/14006/...

This super series w @jamellebouie.net, @jdickerson.bsky.social, JSchuessler, @soccerpolitics.bsky.social, @pastpunditry.bsky.social & @marthasjones.bsky.social is part of a project @ the JCB supported by Emerson Collective and in partnership w @theatlantic.com -- v v grateful! 2026, here we come.

Then @jdickerson.bsky.social Feb 13, and Jenny Schuessler on Feb 17. Followed by fabulous historian panel with @soccerpolitics.bsky.social, @pastpunditry.bsky.social, & @marthasjones.bsky.social on Feb 24! Registration info at the events link above. Hope you'll join us. 2026, here we come.//

Looking forward to this conversation on 2/24 on Journalism & History When History is in the News, with @pastpunditry.bsky.social & @marthasjones.bsky.social. Thank you @kawulf.bsky.social for all you are doing around this topic! jcblibrary.org/events/journ...

I don't think I ever shared this one on here: A recent Baltimore rowhouse portrait that I had fun with. 8"x10", with just enough detail

You can pre-order the 2nd edition. Now in paperback. 📘🗃️ @uncpress.bsky.social #abolishice

How the Daughters and Granddaughters of Former Slaves Secured Voting Rights for All. Historian Martha S. Jones takes a look at the question of race versus gender in the quest for universal suffrage www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-...

If you’re in London, I’d love to see you @waterstones.bsky.social where I’ll be discussing my new book—THE CROWN’S SILENCE—w/ MP @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social I know it’s a Fri night, but MPs are busy! 📚https:/www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-brooke-newman-gower-street-tickets-1977877601148

Last week to apply for this workshop! Reflect and work in community with your fellow writers, get feedback on your pages, and let us help you meet your writing goals this year. Applications due 1/24: writer.org/event/memoir...

2026 One Maryland One Book Top 10 👋 @theferocity.bsky.social @nikkipaynebooks.bsky.social ◡̈

THE TROUBLE OF COLOR is in stellar company here among One Maryland One Book’s top ten. Thank you, Maryland Humanities!

THE TROUBLE OF COLOR is in stellar company here among One Maryland One Book’s top ten. Thank you, Maryland Humanities!

Grateful to each and every reader. Truly.

Grateful to each and every reader. Truly.

“There are people out there and have been forever, who, like Mary, wake up every day and have to make this decision of where to live in this gray area and have to live unapologetically in that because they’ve chosen the life that they’ve chosen.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/m... #thetroubleofcolor

“There are people out there and have been forever, who, like Mary, wake up every day and have to make this decision of where to live in this gray area and have to live unapologetically in that because they’ve chosen the life that they’ve chosen.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/m... #thetroubleofcolor

My author copies of THE CROWN’S SILENCE are here!!! Please spread the word, support local bookstores, and buy a copy for every royal 👑 in your life! King Charles, I’m looking at you!! Out on 1/27 in the US 🇺🇸 and on 1/29 in the UK 🇬🇧. #booksky 📚 #slaveryarchive bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Updated the website homepage 👀 fullstorybaltimore.tours

Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights by Dr. Keisha Blain and The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir by @marthasjones.bsky.social ones are both fantastic.

As a self-confessed history nerd who's highly interested in Black women voting, when I learned about #Vanguard (in 2021), I just *had* to get it. I did that and promptly misplaced it. Twice. 🫢 Look what I found!! Can't wait to see @marthasjones.bsky.social for an autograph. 🥰 #womensupportingwomen