Sign in

Rachel Pitkin

@raepitkin.bsky.social
2.4K followers 1.4K following 260 posts

History PhDing @ CUNY GC • Mellon Predoctoral Fellow: New York Historical • Public Humanities + Programs: Humanities NY (State Council, NEH) • Brooklyn ↔️ Buffalo 💨

PostsRepliesMedia
Rachel Pitkin @raepitkin.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
It’s Marc Bloch today…
010
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Michael Oberg @michaelleroyoberg.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
A student in my history fellowship program has placed her blog posts on the Bayside Historical Society’s webpage. It’s part of a program where I place students in local historian’s offices across NYS. Do us a favor and share this. I’d like her posts to get some hits. Thanks, friends. It’s good work.
baysidehistorical.org
Tales from the Archives - BHS Blog - Bayside Historical Society
The Archivist of the Bayside Historical Society takes you on a journey of discovery through the history of Northeast Queens.
01412
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
David Waldstreicher @dwaldstreicher.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Yes I said it.
282
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
David Waldstreicher @dwaldstreicher.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
My latest in Boston Review:
0179
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Dissent Magazine @dissentmag.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Join Boston Review and Dissent for an event with Adom Getachew, Aziz Rana, and David Waldstreicher on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. secure.givelively.org/event/boston-…
0166
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Leon Jackson @drleonj.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
David Waldstreicher does historiography better than anyone else I know 🗃️
1205
Rachel Pitkin @raepitkin.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Same here :) thanks, Melanie!!
010
Rachel Pitkin @raepitkin.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Thanks for coming, Melanie! It was nice to meet you “irl” — if even briefly!
110
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
melanie newport @melanienewport.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
this #oah26 panel on coerced labor and resistance in carceral spaces was fascinating and it is so striking to me that institutional history remains such a lively and potent area of study
Uncovering Coerced Labor and
Resistance within American
Carceral and Quasi-Carceral
Spaces, 1898–1973
Solicited by the Labor and Working-Class
History Association (LAWCHA)
Chair: Robert Chase, Stony Brook
University
Commentator: Anthony Gregory,
Political and Legal History, Hoover
Institution, Stanford
Stagnation, Coercion, and Gendered
Labor Ideology at the Thomas Indian
School of New York within Early
Twentieth-Century Reform.
Rachel Pitkin, PhD Student in History,
City University of New York Graduate
Center
The Role of Juveniles in the Prisoners’
Rights Movement in Texas.
Moises Acuna-Gurrola, California State
University, Bakersfield
They Demanded “Good Time or
Smokes”: Women Prisoners’
Resistance to the New Deal Era
Coerced Labor Regime at Alderson
Prison.
Donna Haverty-Stacke, Hunter College,
City University of New York
2133
Rachel Pitkin @raepitkin.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Is there a way to access your article for non-subscribers?
400
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
David Waldstreicher @dwaldstreicher.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
omfg.
0101
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Josh Shepperd @joshshepperd.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
The academic rediscovery of “reading books” in the era of digital colonialism. It’s going to be a thing. Lit is standing in the corner with their eyeglasses on the tips of their nose glaring at this thread, saying “we told you like 10 years ago.”
114114
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Josh Shepperd @joshshepperd.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
It’s going to sound quaint, but the best way to resist an AI takeover of the humanities is to assign physical books, sit around, read them, and argue about ideas. Academic has become such a competitive arena, that we ourselves are trained to look for the winning angle, instead of the best education.
15626125
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Tyler McBrien @tylermcbrien.com · 03/02/2026
Garcia, up again, ends by holding up a photo of Stephen Miller and says: "There is probably no single person who has done more damage and more harm to people across this country...than this man right here. It's our job...to hold him responsible for the crimes that are happening to U.S. citizens."
201838480
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 30/01/2026
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday. 📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
180179075777
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
lfg
92002313
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Jonny Diamond @jonnydiamond.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Powerful writing @literaryhub.bsky.social today. This, from Kao Kaila Yang, on preparing for the worst with her children, was a gut punch: lithub.com/letter-from-...
lithub.com
Letter From Minnesota: “If They Take Me and Leave the Children…”
Today is Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. I got gas for the first time this year by myself. The gas station was mostly empty. I drove into the station, heart thudding in my chest. I did everything as f…
23921
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
JD Vance's strategy for succeeding Trump as head of the MAGA movement is predicated on retaining and exciting the support of violent Nazis all around the US. That's what makes his Holocaust commemoration so unique.
461811483
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Jay Willis @jaywillis.net · 28/01/2026
Legitimately a feat of carefully calculated writing to issue a Holocaust Remembrance Day statement of this length without mentioning either (1) the people who perpetrated the Holocaust or (2) the people against whom they perpetrated it
JD Vance @JDVance
X.com
Today we remember the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust, the millions of stories of individual bravery and heroism, and one of the enduring lessons of one of the darkest chapters in human history: that while humans create beautiful things and are full of compassion, we're also capable of unspeakable brutality. And we promise never again to go down the darkest path.
24858241251
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Kristen Radtke @kristenradtke.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
496171856826
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
The 2029 Pretti Good Act will establish a commission to identify all agents, create a detailed accounting of all acts, and hold criminally liable as necessary. Agents who voluntarily and truthfully disclose will be granted some leniency, provided their crimes did not include murder or torture.
632312551
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
A Damned Stemple @adamstemple.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
This should be a piece of every Dem’s platform.
010623
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Matt McDermott @mattmfm.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
ICE is now responsible for 66% of the homicides in Minneapolis this year.
142206987873
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 24/01/2026
Protester in Minneapolis just before disappearing in gas: "Fuck you! Stop. Damn! I'm 70 years old and I'm fuckin' angry!"
759296429466
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Heba Gowayed هبة جويد @hebagowayed.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Call your senators. ICE today is a product of ICE of yesterday, of our carceral and policing and security logic — that’s all true. But shooting civilians point blank in the street with impunity is turning a corner we won’t come back from. Please call them today & tell them not to fund this.
627498
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Kathryn VanArendonk @kvanaren.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
the star tribune’s live blog has no paywall right now
16925
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Nathan Kalman-Lamb @nkalamb.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
ICE, which murdered a man in cold blood in Minneapolis this morning, tried to order local police off the scene. The police chief ordered local police to remain on the scene. www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
The man shot by federal agents this morning has died, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Several witnesses have already been transported to the Whipple building. ICE attempted to order local police from the scene, but O’Hara refused, sources said. 

O’Hara instructed his officers to preserve the scene. The BCA was en route to the scene.

All available MPD officers have been called into work, except dogwatch (overnight shift), and days off cancelled.
413535
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 24/01/2026
Minneapolis protester as he's being brutalized by feds: "You're gonna have to kill me! You're gonna have to kill me! I've done nothing wrong! My name is Matthew James! I'm a US citizen! You're gonna kill me! Is that what you want?" (You can hear his wife screaming)
17403078014339
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
ICE agents are America's failures, basically indistinguishable from lazy school shooters, losers who want to play Call of Duty on our streets against people who can't fight back. They have unlimited ammo and toss tear gas like they're pressing L1. They have to be defunded and jailed. All of them.
224115173328
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Robin Riley @riley.pub · 24/01/2026
Reached out to my Senators imploring them to play hardball with the budget. Calling my Congressman to renew demands that they replace Minority Leader Jeffries.
072
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
I am watching what is happening in Minneapolis on Ali Velshi and one of the ICE officers (off camera) literally says, “It’s like Call of Duty. Pretty cool huh?” as they shoot whatever it is they are shooting. Agents walking around, guns unholstered for no reason. This is insanity
1020256979765
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Ian Carrillo @iansociologo.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Top two articles are about ICE abducting a 5 year old and a 2 year old. Below that, news about a historically large protest and general strike. Then articles detailing how ICE lies about their actions and how the White House makes/publishes fake images about the anti-ICE protests.
13803320
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 23/01/2026
New in PN: What if we just stopped paying taxes? "Like many other blue states, Minnesota pays more to the federal government than it takes in. But why should the state continue to subsidize a government bent on destroying it? What if it just … didn’t?"
publicnotice.co
What if we just stopped paying taxes?
Where there's a will there (might) be a way.
54879112401
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
If you’re defending kidnapping a five year old, you’re losing
431181563465
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Senator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 23/01/2026
At a time when ICE is rounding up 5-year-olds, terrorizing communities and killing American citizens, the last thing we should be doing is increasing its funding. I will vote NO on the upcoming spending bill to fund Trump's domestic army.
1763686661
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Seth Cotlar @sethcotlar.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
The parents of a 7 year old, all of whom are in the process of applying for asylum, took their daughter to the ER when her nose wouldn't stop bleeding. ICE picked them up near the hospital and they are now in detention in Texas, presumably awaiting deportation. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
oregonlive.com
ICE detains family seeking emergency care for child at Portland hospital
The Venezuelan parents and their 7-year-old daughter entered the U.S. legally.
7422821314
Rachel Pitkin @raepitkin.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Astute.
110
Rachel Pitkin @raepitkin.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
One year, I will not post this picture.
1101
Rachel Pitkin @raepitkin.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
050
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Syreeta McFadden @reetamac.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
"Homeland Security refused to release more information, unless the tribe “entered into an immigration agreement with ICE.” The audacity of this demand. apnews.com/article/ice-...
apnews.com
Oglala Sioux Tribe says three tribal members arrested in Minneapolis are in ICE detention
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota said three of the four tribal members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis last week have been transferred to an ICE facility and called for th...
03720
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
PBS News notes this Sunday will be “PBS News Weekend’s” last due to federal budget cuts
12929001364
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Ambassador Ken Fairfax (ret) @portlandken.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
The National Catholic Reporter publicly labeled JD Vance a “moral stain” on the Roman Catholic faith. The blistering piece went on to point out Vance's “twisted and wrongheaded view of Christianity” for inflaming tensions by maligning a woman killed by ICE rather than promoting healing.
ncronline.org
Catholic Vice President Vance takes to social media to justify killing of Renee Good
After the tragic shooting of Renee Good at the hands of ICE, the Catholic vice president of the United States took to social media to justify the killing.
1361429425
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Here is another expert breakdown of the shooting. Think its helpful to have a collection of these since the consensus seems pretty solid that the ICE official is responsible here. bsky.app/profile/tvmo...
414147
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Post also has a detailed breakdown of the video that disputes the Trump administration claims on their home page. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
washingtonpost.com
Video shows ICE agent in Minneapolis fired at driver as vehicle veered past him
An analysis of video footage raises questions about claims by President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem about the fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
214334
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
This breakdown confirms what anyone who looked at the video could see: that the DHS account was an obvious lie. *The agent put was not in her path, was not in danger. *He also fires *after* the car is moving away from him. www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
nytimes.com
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles show that the vehicle appears to be turning away from a federal officer as he opened fire.
20665188
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Josephine Riesman @josie.zone · 09/01/2026
Renee Macklin Good's wife, Becca Good, released a statement and it moved me to sobbing tears: archive.is/ur35j
First, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people 
who have reached out from across the country and around the world to support our family. 
This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind, In fact, kindness radiated out of her. 
Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn't wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine, 
Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it Where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole. 
Like people have done across place and time, we moved to make a better life for ourselves. We chose Minnesota to make our home. Our whole extended road trip here, we held hands in the car while our son drew all over the windows to pass the time and the miles, 
What we found when we got here was a vibrant and welcoming community, we made friends and spread joy: And while any place we were together was home, there was a strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other. Here, I had finally found peace and safe harbor. That has been taken from me forever. 
We were raising our son to believe that no matter where you come from or what you look like, all of us deserve compassion and kindness. Renee lived this belief every day. She is pure love. She is pure joy. She is pure sunshine 
On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns. 
Renee leaves behind three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father. I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way. 
We thank you for the privacy you are granting our family as we grieve. We thank you for ensuring that Renee's legacy is one of kindness and love. We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace, refusing division and knowing we must come together to build a world where we all come home safe to the people we love. E
5060933049
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Ken Jennings @kenjennings.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
15928746621346
Reposted by Rachel Pitkin
Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
The woman killed by ICE was Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year old who was the mother of a 4-year old child whose father already died a few years ago. The Star Tribune talked to her mother. www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
“Renee was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” she said. “She was extremely compassionate. She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.”
16069482582