Hakeem Jefferson

The executive targets his opponents w/bogus investigations. His government disappears people w/out due process and vanishes them beyond reach. He usurps legislative power, controls public funds at will, & consolidates power. Loyalty is expected — or else. Authoritarianism isn’t coming. It’s here.

A colleague at Stanford’s business school used The Stanford Daily to argue—poorly—against DEI. The piece was riddled with historical errors and left one searching for fact, so I broke my public writing hiatus to respond. I hope you’ll read and share the piece. stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...

If the government can “deport” you for having beliefs they don’t like, none of us is free. Call it what you want, but it sure as shit ain’t democracy.

Just insane cruelty.

“I am somebody!” I grew up obsessed with the sound of Black orators whose voices alone felt like they could open heaven, even as they fought to help Black folks find peace here on earth. Knowing how much Jesse Jackson loved our people taught me to love and struggle for us too. A true legend.

One flex I remain quite proud of: even after a v long workday, we can still make a restaurant-quality meal at home. Tonight: chicharrón-encrusted chicken schnitzel, crispy smashed potatoes, & lemon-zested broccoli. Absolutely delicious. You’ve got to find a way to hold on to joy amidst all this.

It’s now official. I’ll be publishing my first book, Respectability Politics, w/ @uchicagopress.bsky.social! Proud to join a press w/ a strong lineage in Black studies & Black politics, including Cohen’s Boundaries of Blackness, which has deeply inspired my work. Now to get these revisions done.

The think pieces write themselves. My contribution: this is fucking beautiful, and we should keep fighting for more of this! Everywhere.

This is my America.

I’ve seen commentators ask if two halftime shows mean we’re that polarized. As is often true, this polarization focus misses the mark. It papers over a fight over power, including cultural power, and whether it’s shared w/ppl who look & sound like Bad Bunny or monopolized by folks like Kid Rock.

100% this.

It turns out racists do racist things.

This set of essays, led by @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social and @adambonica.bsky.social, is really important. Folks should spend time with them. And their response to the responses reads like two scholars tired of bringing loads of evidence to a fight where some folks are just bringing vibes.