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Abusablepast

@abusablepast.bsky.social
1.3K followers 98 following 83 posts

The Abusable Past is the digital companion to the Radical History Review, presenting unique and original content related to the praxis of radical history. abusablepast.org and more at linktr.ee/theabusablepast

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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We invite you to read an interview with Dr. Rahim Kurwa on the contemporary history of racial housing regimes in the Antelope Valley and local struggles against the regions pernicious forms of racial criminalization and housing segregation. Read more here abusablepast.org/struggling-f...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Join Susana Morris, Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Alison Parker, & Ashley Farmer on the importance of writing Black women's lives & the role of Black women's biographies in creating spaces for liberation, new histories, and projects for imagining new futures. Read here abusablepast.org/black-women-...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History stands as a documentary trove of people that have fought for women's reproductive rights. Come read an interview with the center's Collection Development Librarian, Kelly Wooten, on why such spaces are more important than ever. tinyurl.com/3xu8p3cd
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
In this timely conversation on racial terror and state-sanctioned violence, historian Seth Kotch explores how local racial designs in North Carolina scaled into sanitized state institutions and modern capital punishment across the 19th and 20th centuries. Read more abusablepast.org/lethal-state...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
We invite you to read and listen to Stuart Schrader’s archival primer to Blue Power, his fascinating new history on the formation of police unions and their impact on national and local politics in the second half of the twentieth century. Read more here abusablepast.org/the-badge-me...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
If you're an AHA member, please consider voting. The Abusable Past stands with these scholars & their commitment to ensuring the AHA is an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Learn more: tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
If you're an AHA member, please consider voting. The Abusable Past stands with these scholars & their commitment to ensuring the AHA is an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Learn more: tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
If you're an AHA member, please consider voting. The Abusable Past stands with these scholars & their commitment to ensuring the AHA is an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Learn more: tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
If you're an AHA member, please consider voting. The Abusable Past stands with these scholars & their commitment to ensuring the AHA is an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Learn more: tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
If you're an AHA member, please consider voting. The Abusable Past stands with these scholars & their commitment to ensuring the AHA is an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Learn more: tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
We count on your vote for our Democracy Slate scholars & their commitment to an AHA as an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Meet the candidates! Learn more tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
We count on your vote for our Democracy Slate scholars & their commitment to an AHA as an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Meet the candidates! Learn more tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Join us to ensure that the AHA functions democratically. We count on your vote for our Democracy Slate scholars & their commitment to an AHA as an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Meet the Scholars!
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Join us to ensure that the AHA functions democratically. We count on your vote for our Democracy Slate scholars & their commitment to an AHA as an organization that represents all historians, including those who work on the Middle East & oppose scholasticide in Gaza. Learn more tinyurl.com/3ftthdhk
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Dr. Ravenscroft’s piece on W. E. B. Du Bois’s provides a fascinating history of a lesser-known part Du Bois’s work, following his visit to Japan. As Dr. Ravenscroft writes “Du Bois decried the imperial aggression of all states except one. Read her analysis here! abusablepast.org/w-e-b-du-boi...
Photograph of Du Bois and Japanese academics in conversation in Tokyo, 1936.
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
The Pedagogy Lab & Center for Feminist Futures at UC Santa Barbara is seeking submissions for The Executive Dis/Order Project: Refusing Compliance. This project is looking for original art on executive power and its effects on democracy to build a visual archive of resistance to US suppression. /1
A slide with a dark red mauve gradient background and white text reading “Call for Submissions for The Executive Dis/Order Project: Refusing Compliance” from “The Pedagogy Lab & Center for Feminist Studies, UC Santa Barbara in collaboration with The Abusable Past.”
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
It would be an understatement to say 2025 so far has been difficult in the midst of political uncertainty and mounting assaults against our most vulnerable. Throughout this time, the Digital Collective has remained steadfast in our commitment to publish critical work and offers these pieces… /1
A slide with a red background and white text that reads “Luigi Mangione, Giuseppe Zangara, and the Forgotten History of Italian American Radicalism by Sonia C. Gomez” with a short description that reads “Tracing the long 20th century history of Italian American radicalism through Giuseppe Zangarw and Luigi Mangione, Gomez illuminates their connections through their twinned disillusionment with capitalism and political resistance borne from chronic pain.” Accompanied by a black-and-white collage from left to right Giuseppe Zangara in prisoner uniform, Luigi Mangione in prisoner uniform surrounded by police escorts, and a Giuseppe Zangara portrait with three other men and a looping white arrow behind to point at the body text.A slide with a red background and a photograph from the Black Freedom Studies speaker series at Schomburg Center with four people seated on stage in the center with audience members in the foreground. The white text reads “State Violence and the Black Freedom Struggle by Lucien Baskin” and description “As part of Conversations in Black Freedom Studies (CBFS) hosted by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Lucien Baskin interviews Mary Frances Phillips, Françoise Hamlin, and Orisabmi Burton for an event on State Violence: Prisons, Police, Politics.”A slide with a red background and a poster in red, gray, white, and black depicting a woman with her arms in chains breaking free surrounded by other revolutionary women and text reading “Hail To the Working and Struggling Women of the World.” The white text on the slide below reads “Radical Iranian Theory and Praxis Microsyllabus by Tagereh Aghdasifar, Arash Davari, Alexander Jabbari, Amira Jarmakani, and Goonar Nikpour” and a description reading “Spanning Iranian revolutions and revolutionary thought, carcerality, sociality, movement building, and the development of critical SWANA studies/Ethnic Studies, this micro syllabus facilitates engagement with radical Iranian thought instead of provincializing such work as area studies or even “counter-terrorism” studies.”A slide with a red background and a color photograph depicting a line of NYPD amassing to crack down on the International Women’s Day Global Strike for Gaza standing along the shoulder of a city street as passerby walk in front of them. Below, white text reads “Policing Solidarity: Lessons from the Drug War by Nadja Eisenberg-Guyot” and a short summary ”By linking drug policing to the repression of the Palestine solidarity movement in Turtle Island, Eisenberg-Guyot enumerates how the specific mechanisms and tactics of the drug war inform and reify U.S. settler-colonial, imperialist, and racial capitalist interests domestically and abroad.”
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 30/10/2024
It is difficult to capture how the world was utterly transformed since October 7, 2023…This past summer, the Digital Collective joined those who encouraged a serious reflection on the violent administrative response to a wide range of student activism ... /1
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 09/08/2024
"Seventy years ago today, Vito Marcantonio, the most left-wing congressman in US history, suffered a fatal heart attack. He had by then left office disappointed by McCarthyism and the failure of pro-worker and anti-racist legislative efforts." /1
Rep. Marcantonio at his office, a trailer, with neighborhood children, ranging in age, from very young to teenagers. They are standing, some posing, some talking, with Marcantonio. The door to the trailer is open with some children standing inside the door frame, laughing. Marcantonio looks down at the child to his right, smiling warmly, with their arms around each other. The trailer reads "Congressional Office of your...Congressman," "Vito Ma....nio, "Meet him here," "PEACE," "Serves you..." Ellipsis in text signals what is blocked by the open door. Buildings line the top frame of the photo, behind Marcantonio's office.
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 08/08/2024
The deadline has been extended until August 20!
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 06/08/2024
Deadline tomorrow!
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 02/08/2024
Looking for some reading material this weekend? Check out "Pushing Forward: 25 Years of Black AIDS Awareness," a microsyllabus by Aishah Scott. This piece focuses on how systemic marginalization intensified the AIDS crisis in Black communities. /1
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 01/08/2024
Deadline is today!
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 17/07/2024
The Abusable Past seeks contributions that speak to faculty and student experiences with teaching and learning during the Palestine solidarity protests of 2024. More information here: abusablepast.org/a-call-for-s...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 16/07/2024
Abusable Past is accepting submissions for a new forum exploring the essence and boundaries of radical history. We aim to understand the definition of radical history, who practices it, and the challenges they face.
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 12/07/2024
The Abusable Past seeks contributions that speak to faculty and student experiences with teaching and learning during the Palestine solidarity protests of 2024. More information here: mtsacecachronicle.com/7839/world/u...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 08/07/2024
Check out "Detention Nation: US Empire and Immigrant Prisons – Tina Shull and Elliott Young in Conversation." Dr. Elliott Young is a Professor in the History Department at Lewis and Clark College. Dr. Tina Shull (she/her) is an Associate Professor and Director of Public History at UNC Charlotte.
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 29/06/2024
In "Immigration and Mental Health Collide, Again," Jeremy Peschard analyzes how U.S. policies tend to conflate asylum-seekers with having mental illnesses, harkening back to eugenics logic of the late 19th c.
A black and white image of a two-story brick structure surrounded by deciduous trees. A road leads up to the building. 

Caption: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C., one of only two mental asylums ever operated by the U.S. federal government (Courtesy of the Library of Congress)
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 21/02/2024
An essential piece from Dr. Charlotte Mertens this morning on the ways that colonialism informs and continues to shape contemporary sexual violence in the conflict of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). abusablepast.org/the-weapon-o...
abusablepast.org
The Weapon of Sexual Violence and its Discontents – The Abusable Past
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 19/02/2024
February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Explore our new microsyllabus, "Pushing Forward: 25 Years of Black AIDS Awareness" from Dr. Aishah Scott which offers intersectional works from a variety of disciplines to commemorate the anniversary. abusablepast.org/pushing-forw...
abusablepast.org
Pushing Forward: 25 Years of Black AIDS Awareness – The Abusable Past
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 14/02/2024
Today on the The Abusable Past, Kat Fuller writes on misinformation and the devastating impact of residential school denialism in Canada. abusablepast.org/residential-...
abusablepast.org
Residential School Denialism, Conspiracy Theories, and the Far-Right’s Genocidal Attack against Indigenous Peoples – The Abusable Past
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 12/02/2024
Check out a new interview with activist Kipp Dawson AND explore a piece from Jessie Ramey and Catherine Evans on Dawson's papers at the University of Pittsburgh. The Radical History Review article is free to view for a limited time. abusablepast.org/challenging-...
abusablepast.org
Challenging and Documenting State Violence: A Conversation with Activist Kipp Dawson – The Abusable Past
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 25/01/2024
Which side are you on? This morning, @ajbauer.bsky.social writes on the parallels between the Second Red Scare and the current "Palestine Scare" in higher education. abusablepast.org/the-myth-of-...
abusablepast.org
The Myth of the Liberal Dupe: What the Second Red Scare can teach us about the ongoing Palestine Sca...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 22/01/2024
This morning we are excited to bring you a new Doing Radical History feature from @chrisapihlak.bsky.social! Chris tells us both a personal story and offers ideas about what social history can offer to trans studies. abusablepast.org/trans-social...
abusablepast.org
Trans Social History Amidst Trans Social Death – The Abusable Past
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 27/10/2023
New CFP for Radical History Review: Radical Histories of Decolonization 👇
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 23/10/2023
Unfortunately, we are experiencing technical difficulties with our website host. While we work to fix it, you may have difficulties accessing The Abusable Past. We will update as soon as we have this sorted out!
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 26/09/2023
This morning we have a new piece from @esmat.bsky.social , covering the state of postcolonial studies in Israel and its effect on Palestinian liberation. "A Dying Postcolonialism" is up now. www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
A Dying Postcolonialism
By Esmat Elhalaby Perhaps it’s apt that a dying political ideology seeks redemption in a dead discipline. As the Israeli government and public become ever more vocal and defensive about their…
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 19/09/2023
Gen Z students are more likely than any previous generation to engage in climate activism. That's why we're finishing up our back to school week with teaching resources on environmental justice. Start with the microsyllabus from Danielle M. Purifoy. www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
Microsyllabus: Environmental Justice in the United States
Compiled by Danielle M. Purifoy Environmental Justice (EJ) scholarship in the United States emerged in tandem with social movement activism during the 1980s. Environmental Justice activism and scho…
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 18/09/2023
As we dive into a new semester, reflect upon these commentaries on teaching from The Abusable Past. First up: "Not Caring, To Care: Radical Pedagogy During Covid-19" www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
Not Caring, To Care: Radical Pedagogy During Covid-19
by Andy Urban With high temperatures in the mid-60s, March 2, 2020 was a nice day to be outside in central New Jersey. That morning, my “Society and Thought in the American Past” course met at the...
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Dan Berger @dnbrgr.bsky.social · 21/09/2023
For background on RICO as a tool to criminalize the left, and on the critical need for solidarity, check out my article in @abusablepast.bsky.social & @lpeproject.bsky.social www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 19/09/2023
Unfortunately, our website is currently down. We are working on fixing the issue and will post an update once we are up and running again!
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 19/09/2023
Gen Z students are more likely than any previous generation to engage in climate activism. That's why we're finishing up our back to school week with teaching resources on environmental justice. Start with the microsyllabus from Danielle M. Purifoy. www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
Microsyllabus: Environmental Justice in the United States
Compiled by Danielle M. Purifoy Environmental Justice (EJ) scholarship in the United States emerged in tandem with social movement activism during the 1980s. Environmental Justice activism and scho…
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 18/09/2023
As we dive into a new semester, reflect upon these commentaries on teaching from The Abusable Past. First up: "Not Caring, To Care: Radical Pedagogy During Covid-19" www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
Not Caring, To Care: Radical Pedagogy During Covid-19
by Andy Urban With high temperatures in the mid-60s, March 2, 2020 was a nice day to be outside in central New Jersey. That morning, my “Society and Thought in the American Past” course met at the...
163
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 14/09/2023
Teaching histories of Public Health this fall? We have microsyllabi for you! Plus some excellent accompanying articles covering epidemic disease, abortion, and trans studies. 🧵⬇️
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 15/09/2023
Want to incorporate accessible pieces on contemporary popular culture in your syllabus this fall? We've got you covered. This article should interest fans of The Last of Us. 🇨🇱 www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
Why Pedro Pascal Being Unabashedly Chilean Matters
By Romina A. Green Rioja When I enthusiastically opened my social media apps the Sunday morning after Pedro Pascal’s SNL performance to read articles and comments from the U.S. and Chilean press, m�...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 15/09/2023
Want to incorporate accessible pieces on contemporary popular culture in your syllabus this fall? We've got you covered. This article should interest fans of The Last of Us. 🇨🇱 www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
Why Pedro Pascal Being Unabashedly Chilean Matters
By Romina A. Green Rioja When I enthusiastically opened my social media apps the Sunday morning after Pedro Pascal’s SNL performance to read articles and comments from the U.S. and Chilean press, m�...
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 14/09/2023
Teaching histories of Public Health this fall? We have microsyllabi for you! Plus some excellent accompanying articles covering epidemic disease, abortion, and trans studies. 🧵⬇️
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 13/09/2023
Looking for ways to use The Abusable Past in your classroom? This week, we'll be highlighting resources for teaching. Today, we have some great material to get your students to think critically about the campuses they inhabit. (See thread for more details 👇 )
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Abusablepast @abusablepast.bsky.social · 11/09/2023
For our first post, we’re excited to showcase the latest from @dnbrgr.bsky.social, a collaboration w/ the Law and Political Economy Project - a look into the long tradition of using RICO to suppress leftwing activists, including #stopcopcity protestors www.radicalhistoryreview.org/abusablepast...
radicalhistoryreview.org
RICO and Stop Cop City: The Long War Against the Left
By Dan Berger * Published in partnership with The Law and Political Economy (LPE) Project. On August 29th, the same Georgia grand jury that indicted Donald Trump and 18 associates in mid-Augus…
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