Historian here very much looking forward to this talk at Eastern Michigan today. Join us if you can Michigan folks! #theriseandfallofthesecondamericanrepublic

When politicians don't honor their promises, our work is to make them. To do that, we have to build enough power to make them. I understand why people get disappointed but this is unfortunately how things work in politics.

Working to build a stronger philosophical foundation personally, so I spoke with @brentcebul.bsky.social and @lilygeismer.bsky.social about the issues with liberalism and the Democratic Party in the last half-century.

Working to build a stronger philosophical foundation personally, so I spoke with @brentcebul.bsky.social and @lilygeismer.bsky.social about the issues with liberalism and the Democratic Party in the last half-century.

In an era of erasing Black history, on this holiday in particular, you might focus on learning about what it is people want to erase. Hear a bit about @brianjoneseducator.bsky.social's journey exploring Black history in my interview with him:

In an era of erasing Black history, on this holiday in particular, you might focus on learning about what it is people want to erase. Hear a bit about @brianjoneseducator.bsky.social's journey exploring Black history in my interview with him:

Couldn't be more thrilled to share that the paperback launch of There Is No Place for Us will be hosted by Charis Books at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30pm. I'll be in conversation with the brilliant @jduffyrice.bsky.social—truly a gift—and I'd love to see you there.

So, first of all, of course it was Trump. But even if they were telling the truth, "We give staffers who post videos of the Obamas as apes access to the agenda-setting, decree-sending, market-moving account of the president of the United States" is not the exculpatory statement they think it is.

Whatever you think of the Washington Post at this moment, here's a chance to support the dedicated, hard-working journalists who were just laid off. If you have the means, your donation is most welcome. If you don't, a kind thought and maybe spreading the word to others is support enough 💙

Axios had a story today about how hard Minnesota’s economy is being hit and how slow the recovery could be. So, I’m going to take this opportunity to say that if you want to support the Twin Cities, you should plan a visit for this summer, spend some money here, & see how amazing it is for yourself.

You know who really ought to pay attention the result in TX Sen 9? Democratic leadership in Congress.

I may have a stroke. Someone said protests don’t belong in church and it took every ounce of self-censure within me not to say “Deborah you are literally a Protestant.” A PROTESTant. I assume they think Luther was nailing Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons to the door.

👀 Every Senate Democrat + Collins and Murkowski just voted for the Bernie Sanders amendment to repeal the $75 billion in additional ICE funding under Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The measure failed 49-51.

Calling all history teachers. Consider registering for Fords Theater's "Set in Stone" professional development program this summer. I've been a part of this program as lead historian for the past decade. We focus on Civil War memory and Reconstruction. And it's free. fords.org/teaching-and...

Steph Curry on watching the protests from his hotel window: "In negative 10-degree weather. It was beautiful to see that turnout. That speaks to how important people felt to have their voice heard. In those elements and whatever streets outside our hotel, they were out, and it was amazing to watch."

One of the best things I’ve read in a while:

The Mississippi Free Press is seeking a full-time East Central Bureau Reporter. Read more at mfp.ms/jobs. buff.ly/8nAfwp3

Blueskis, studies have shown that when folks see or hear about a book more than five times, they are likely to check it out, and buy it. So in the spirit of creating buzz, here is the gorgeous cover of THE WESTERNERS, which will be published on March 31!

When you focus on the regular people showing up magnificently in all of their flawed beauty, it helps you to keep going.

@sifill.bsky.social is always worth reading when you need to steel your resolve and guidance. “Protecting our own neighborhoods and community must remain a priority. The bold resistance of Chicagoans … has set a powerful example for all of us for how we can stand-up as ordinary citizens”

These are difficult days. We must be creative and bold to rebuild and renew our democracy. And we have examples to look to when we've done that. Here's the second half of my interview with @profmsinha.bsky.social about lessons we can take from Reconstruction for today.

These are difficult days. We must be creative and bold to rebuild and renew our democracy. And we have examples to look to when we've done that. Here's the second half of my interview with @profmsinha.bsky.social about lessons we can take from Reconstruction for today.

Today is very bad and we should all be very angry but I am here to remind us that the birthday we are celebrating this year is not for the Constitution but for our rebellion against monarchy. The sincerest form of flattery is imitation.

Democrats need to understand that they can just say “It’s insane to threaten Greenland” and “I don’t think ICE should murder Americans in the street” and you don’t need to pretend to link it to the affordability crisis. Say bad things are bad.

jesus christ what are we doing here people www.wsj.com/tech/ai/hosp...

Just a reminder that George Conway is not fundraising right now to run against a MAGA republican. He is fundraising to run against progressive Democrats.

Starting tomorrow, the Trump administration is set to send notices to 1,000 student loan borrowers (first round) noticing them of an intent to garnish their wages for student loan debt. This is cruel and unnecessary. If you receive a notice, send it to us and we'll try to help.

Jan. 6, 2021:

Five years ago.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. Since Trump has brought back old fashioned imperialism it might be the time to think about how we can prevent the fall of the Third republic on the 250th anniversary of the American Republic. Some of my thoughts on this great democracy podcast.

amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders

A new year, but the same concerns for democracy dating back to the Civil War (and before). To better understand the connections and to take lessons for today, I spoke with an expert on Reconstruction: @profmsinha.bsky.social . We covered a lot so I broke it up into two episodes. Here’s part 1.

A new year, but the same concerns for democracy dating back to the Civil War (and before). To better understand the connections and to take lessons for today, I spoke with an expert on Reconstruction: @profmsinha.bsky.social . We covered a lot so I broke it up into two episodes. Here’s part 1.

Happy New Year Civics and Coffee named #theriseandfallofthesecondamericanrepublic one of the best books of 2025 “Sinha does an exquisite job of arguing that Reconstruction is a much broader period in history than we think and expertly covers its impact on various populations & regions” Pub date 2024

it’s pretty nuts how a throwaway line in so many stories about various public figures is like “btw the president of the united states said this person should be killed”

unironically a good idea

Next we have DIY Democracy with @stevenel.bsky.social on which we talked a lot about Frank Capra and how his films constructed a vision of American democracy and ideals that is still popular in the public imagination.

Looking for some Christmasy podcasts or articles this festive week? Look no more: my gift to you all is a thread of all sorts of reads and listens from or featuring yours truly so you can drop some knowledge at the dinner table this Thursday! First up, Unsung History with @feministkelly.bsky.social

support independent media. idk what else to say right now.

A Christmas episode for the show! Gather the family around the radio and hear @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social tell the tale of Frank Capra, HUAC, and who gets to be American and how.

A Christmas episode for the show! Gather the family around the radio and hear @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social tell the tale of Frank Capra, HUAC, and who gets to be American and how.

I would like to remind folks that @librariesftp.bsky.social's 2026 Library Board Cohort application is due 12/18 [so this week]. We hope that folks on the Left(s) will apply. We will only be offering one cohort in 2026. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

If cost has kept you from picking up There Is No Place for Us (which is totally understandable), good news: the ebook is *$1.99* today—93% off!—on Kindle, B&N, Bookshop, and elsewhere. So grateful to everyone who's been reading and sharing the book this year. It means a lot.

For the show, I spoke with @kimkelly.bsky.social, labor journalist and author of the recent American labor history: Fight Like Hell about the book and about what we can learn from labor history to help us today. Have a listen!

DC Public Library with a friendly reminder 📚

Every time you support the Mississippi Free Press, you help protect truth and lift up the people who make this state what it is. And today, your kindness stretches even further. Every donation is TRIPLED. Make your impact count: buff.ly/t2DNQKV

For the show, I spoke with @kimkelly.bsky.social, labor journalist and author of the recent American labor history: Fight Like Hell about the book and about what we can learn from labor history to help us today. Have a listen!

Every time I get this question, I am annoyed at the stupidity of it.