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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela

@nataliapetrzela.bsky.social
6.8K followers 947 following 671 posts

Prof of History at The New School | Author, FIT NATION (2023) + CLASSROOM WARS (2015) | Last Pod: EXTREME for BBC | Words: WSJ, MS NOW, NYT, CHE, etc | Fellow, Carnegie Corp/NEH Public Scholar | Mom | NYC

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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Contrary to billing change over time as our beat, as a historian I'm here to tell you that violence against women is an absolute constant. Not generations but centuries of activism & policies have made that violence only somewhat more public. Our daily news reminds us how and why.
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Julie Zebrak @juliezebrak.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Rather than teach about Jews primarily as targets of hatred — the obvious organizing principle of many lessons on the Holocaust & antisemitism training — it is crucial students learn abt Jewish identities, experiences as inextricable from our broader national narratives. forward.com/opinion/8442...
forward.com
Antisemitism flourishes amid cultural and historical illiteracy. Classrooms should be a cure.
The post-Oct. 7 Hidden Voices project helping educators teach Jewish stories provides a necessary corrective to conspiracy theories and stereotypes.
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Julie Zebrak @juliezebrak.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
“For the vast majority of Americans with scant awareness of Jewish history or experience, teaching and learning about Jews as integral to this nation’s past and present is a new, and potentially powerful intervention.” @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social forward.com/opinion/8442...
forward.com
Antisemitism flourishes amid cultural and historical illiteracy. Classrooms should be a cure.
The post-Oct. 7 Hidden Voices project helping educators teach Jewish stories provides a necessary corrective to conspiracy theories and stereotypes.
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 11/08/2026
@nataliapetrzela.bsky.social: "Ignorance provides antisemitism, an insidious shapeshifter that infects and unifies the otherwise polarized political right and left, with a powerful accelerant." forward.com/opinion/8442...
forward.com
Antisemitism flourishes amid cultural and historical illiteracy. Classrooms should be a cure.
The post-Oct. 7 Hidden Voices project helping educators teach Jewish stories provides a necessary corrective to conspiracy theories and stereotypes.
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Mentofy @mentofy.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela notes the Biden administration's substantial federal investment in education contrasted with a lack of assertive public messaging. This approach left educators navigating complex funding and policy shifts amid pandemic disruptions.
mentofy.com
Historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela on Biden’s Education Legacy
Historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela’s analysis of the Biden administration's education legacy reveals a complex picture, one where significant federal investment met a notable absence of assertive publ...
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela on the Biden presidency: “It was the culmination of his political career, but it came at a very awkward moment for someone of his age and background and beliefs” bit.ly/4z6WOri
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Matthew Sheffield @matthew.flux.community · 03/06/2026
The naturalistic fallacy is really, really tempting for a lot of people. But no one applies it consistently, especially Kennedy types.
plus.flux.community
Robert Kennedy’s bizarre obsession with ‘natural’ isn’t going to make Americans healthier
Historian of fitness Natalia Mehlman Petrzela on why an obese president has a health secretary who moralizes about wellness
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Sara Georgini @sarageorgini.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
🗃️ Super excited for @netflix.com launch of terrific series #TheAmericanExperiment in which I get to show serious national treasure @mhs1791.bsky.social. Please check it out starting 6/24 + share word, great launch convo w director @brianknappenberger.bsky.social & always fab @jbf1755.bsky.social 🍿
U.S. Navy Memorial theatre rows of seats before massive film screen with The American Experiment and profile of Washington’sOnstage and in dialogue with Brian Knappenberger and Joanne Freeman, trio seated in black directors chairs
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 22/06/2026
Are you a @historians.org member? Please make it a priority to vote in this year’s elections: they close July 15. (THREAD: link to vote in #10)
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nativetexan.bsky.social @nativetexan.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
@nataliapetrzela.bsky.social, check this out. It is rather sad that so many folks are priced out of participating in sports. www.deseret.com/utah/2026/06...
deseret.com
How the Larry H. Miller family hopes to make youth sports more accessible in Utah
Miller Sports + Entertainment, the Larry H. Miller & Gail Miller Family Foundation and the Daniels Fund announced the inaugural Utah Youth Sports Giving Day on Friday.
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Jonathan Ladd @jonathanmladd.com · 08/05/2026
ABC News: Elon Musk’s DOGE “blatantly used” race, gender and other protected characteristics to execute the largest mass termination of federal grants in the history of the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal judge ruled on Thursday. abcnews.com/Politics/jud...
ABC News: Elon Musk’s DOGE “blatantly used” race, gender and other protected characteristics to execute the largest mass termination of federal grants in the history of the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.
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David Meyer @dajmeyer.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
@nataliapetrzela.bsky.social, Can American Studies Save Itself? www.chronicle.com/article/can-... "the solution to the field’s 'credibility problem' does not lie in balancing it with more positive depictions of the American past but rather in a recommitment to dispassionate scholarly rigor"
chronicle.com
Opinion | Can American Studies Save Itself?
The field is under attack, but turning back the clock isn’t the answer.
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Erin Grievances @erinbartram.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
It is remarkable that the solution to this problem is to just read the fucking things you claim to have read. A solution that works in all disciplines!
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
I don't think there is an issue with using AI to support research -- we are always adapting to new technologies -- but verifying sources and citations is like Scholarship 101. I hope this editor retracted the article...
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Thank you so much for having me!
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Proud to have a chapter in this book, among many eminent historians!
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
I will be interviewing @andrewhartman.bsky.social about his new book MARX IN AMERICA @thenewschool.bsky.social on March 9! Free and open to the public - reg link below!
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Department of Sociology at Northern Arizona University @nausociology.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
This looks like a neat event next Tuesday! Come see Natalia Mehlman Petrzela speak at 5:30 pm in Liberal Arts 120 on March 3.
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Can’t wait!
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Shingo Mouse @shingomouse.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
RFK Jr.'s fitness ad with Kid Rock is a collision of MAHA and the manosphere www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
ms.now
Opinion | RFK Jr. and Kid Rock's MAHA manosphere mashup
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela: The health secretary and rocker's alpha-male preening won't make anyone healthier
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Loved coming on
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
MS NOW @ms.now · 23/02/2026
OPINION by The New School Professor of History Natalia Mehlman Petrzela "This stunt is more than just a disgusting distraction; it signals the dark reality of what MAHA — Make America Healthy Again — now unapologetically embraces..." READ MORE: www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
ms.now
Opinion | RFK Jr. and Kid Rock's MAHA manosphere mashup
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela: The health secretary and rocker's alpha-male preening won't make anyone healthier
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
My latest:
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Elmira Bayrasli @elmirab.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
A special shout out to NYC bus drivers and postal workers, who don’t get a snow day. ❄️ thank you 🙏🏼
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
My latest:
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I wrote about the RFK, Jr./Kid Rock video for @msnowreports.bsky.social www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
ms.now
Opinion | RFK Jr. and Kid Rock's MAHA manosphere mashup
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela: The health secretary and rocker's alpha-male preening won't make anyone healthier
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I wrote about the RFK, Jr./Kid Rock video for @msnowreports.bsky.social www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
ms.now
Opinion | RFK Jr. and Kid Rock's MAHA manosphere mashup
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela: The health secretary and rocker's alpha-male preening won't make anyone healthier
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
I will be interviewing @andrewhartman.bsky.social about his new book MARX IN AMERICA @thenewschool.bsky.social on March 9! Free and open to the public - reg link below!
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
There was this tiny subgenre of fitness/gym-themed lightly erotic horror in the 1980s — one classic was called Aerobicide — and the whole RFK/Kid Rock workout/sauna/drink milk spot reminds me of nothing more
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Reposted by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
Matthew Sheffield @matthew.flux.community · 28/01/2026
And finally, there is a third significant psychological impulse that Trumpism has going for it, and that is the appeal to "naturalism." Many people have deep suspicion of technologies they don't understand. RFK has weaponized this for Trump, as @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social and I noted:
plus.flux.community
Robert Kennedy’s bizarre obsession with ‘natural’ isn’t going to make Americans healthier
Historian of fitness Natalia Mehlman Petrzela on why an obese president has a health secretary who moralizes about wellness
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Everyone is out and about as usual in NYC, but the extra narrow sidewalks due to the snowbanks (and uncollected trash tbh) mean that there is this sweet connection I experienced many times yesterday where otherwise random, rushed ppl make eye contact, smile, and gesture to the other to go first
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Woohoo! Curious what does this mean in terms of my experience on the app?
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Fascinating: colleges spending marketing money on selling higher ed *in general* rather than trying to attract students to their specific offerings. Smart. IMO, these should air during highly viewed college sports, engage coaches in this messaging hechingerreport.org/value-polici...
hechingerreport.org
Higher education starts to fight back against attacks on its value and policies
The higher education industry has launched several new marketing campaigns in the hope of reclaiming the message about itself in the face of political attacks and public skepticism.
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Fascinating: colleges spending marketing money on selling higher ed *in general* rather than trying to attract students to their specific offerings. Smart. IMO, these should air during highly viewed college sports, engage coaches in this messaging hechingerreport.org/value-polici...
hechingerreport.org
Higher education starts to fight back against attacks on its value and policies
The higher education industry has launched several new marketing campaigns in the hope of reclaiming the message about itself in the face of political attacks and public skepticism.
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
One of my most chilling classroom memories is when I asked a full seminar room of (smart! engaged!) undergrads why none of them had voted in a recent election, and one sheepishly said that when everyone on campus seems to have the same politics, there's little motivation to engage
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
All the reporting is making it look like Mamdani decided snow days = zoom school. No. This is a stupid Covid-era policy that lets this day count as an instructional day for teachers and staff (and students, who will almost surely learn nothing!) gothamist.com/news/nyc-may...?
gothamist.com
NYC Mayor Mamdani says no traditional school snow day Monday
Public school students will either have to attend school in person or via remote learning, he says, and the city will decide by mid-Sunday.
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Really worth reading on why “viewpoint diversity” may not be the answer, but figuring out a way to cultivate intellectual ferment and rigorous inquiry should be a top priority on all campuses www.chronicle.com/article/four...
chronicle.com
Four Scholars Agree, Disagree, and Agree to Disagree on Viewpoint Diversity
Is the movement to increase intellectual pluralism a genuine reform effort or a partisan power grab?
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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
This kid and his father entered via CBP One app. It's just absurd and monumentally unfair for people who availed themselves of lawful channels when they existed by following government processes to suddenly get detained and deported to a third country. newrepublic.com/article/2056...
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Trauma on so many levels here
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Logan Jaffe @loganjaffe.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Look at this: @inquirer.com has digitally preserved the interpretative signage removed by NPS, and used annotations to explain what specifically was flagged before removal. This keeps the content publicly accessible (for now) while doing newsworthy reporting www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
inquirer.com
Here are the signs the Trump administration removed from Independence Park
Following last year’s review, every sign has been removed from the President’s House site.
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Really worth reading on why “viewpoint diversity” may not be the answer, but figuring out a way to cultivate intellectual ferment and rigorous inquiry should be a top priority on all campuses www.chronicle.com/article/four...
chronicle.com
Four Scholars Agree, Disagree, and Agree to Disagree on Viewpoint Diversity
Is the movement to increase intellectual pluralism a genuine reform effort or a partisan power grab?
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
All the reporting is making it look like Mamdani decided snow days = zoom school. No. This is a stupid Covid-era policy that lets this day count as an instructional day for teachers and staff (and students, who will almost surely learn nothing!) gothamist.com/news/nyc-may...?
gothamist.com
NYC Mayor Mamdani says no traditional school snow day Monday
Public school students will either have to attend school in person or via remote learning, he says, and the city will decide by mid-Sunday.
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
💯💯💯
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Matthew Sheffield @matthew.flux.community · 18/01/2026
For more on the fear of the "unnatural," please see this recent podcast episode I did with @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social
plus.flux.community
Robert Kennedy’s bizarre obsession with ‘natural’ isn’t going to make Americans healthier
Historian of fitness Natalia Mehlman Petrzela on why an obese president has a health secretary who moralizes about wellness
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
In perhaps the most vivid example of The Internet is Not Real Life, ALL my feeds are teeming with Heated Rivalry takes, but at the actual hockey rink where I am this weekend (and most), no one has even mentioned it. The 2 ppl I asked hadn’t heard of it!
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Must read on UATX for anyone in higher education Reflects that core lesson of grad school: it is much easier to identify a problem and tear down your opponents than to build something original and better www.politico.com/news/magazin...
politico.com
They Wanted a University Without Cancel Culture. Then Dissenters Were Ousted.
Inside the civil war at the anti-woke university backed by Bari Weiss.
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
If there was an origin point of the "hot mom" expectation, it is with Debbie Drake, who promised a generation of women that just becoming wives didn't mean they should (or could!) give up on being "whistlebait"
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Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
The crisis is real, and this is part of our effort at new approaches to supporting scholars and advancing scholarship in the (vast!) early Americas. Sharing again and would appreciate your sharing, too. More info in the thread. 🧵⬇️
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Not surprising. In over a decade of talking about my fitness culture research, the assumption went from “this is a woman’s topic” to audiences and questions being much more about teen boys and men
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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
What a fantastic cap on an intense couple of days at #AHA26 #AHA2026 Excellent *conversation* re the importance of studying the histories of fashion, food, leisure, FUN as pathways into more fully understanding human experience and affect
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