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Deborah McDowell

@dem8z.bsky.social

11K followers 3.4K following 2.7K posts

Reader, writer, teacher, gardener, seamstress, contrarian. Professor, @WoodsonUVA Alice Griffin Professor of English, University of Virginia. Please, no DMs unless I know you. For professional matters, please contact me via UVA.

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · Feb 24

Alice Walker, “The World We Want is Us”https://poets.org/poem/world-we-want-us

The World We Want Is Us

It moves my heart to see your awakened faces;

poets.org

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 2h

Many thanks!!!

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Jim White @jawhite.bsky.social · 10h

And may you have many more years.

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BeijingPalmer @beijingpalmer.bsky.social · 14h

Let me strongly emphasize that you should not give someone money for committing a gross breach of professional ethics. You also shouldn't hire them for a prestigious new job but our industry is garbage, alas!

Jon Passantino @passantino.bsky.social · 14h

Olivia Nuzzi is set to address her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a forthcoming book, galleys of which are circulating among a select group of readers, @status.news has learned www.status.news/p/olivia-nuz...

Have I Got Nuzzi For You

Olivia Nuzzi is set to address her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a forthcoming book, galleys of which are circulating among a select group of readers, Status has learned.

www.status.news

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Charles Keener @charleskeener.bsky.social · 12h

www.democracynow.org/2025/10/14/h...

United Nations: 300,000 People Have Fled South Sudan in 2025

The United Nations warns some 300,000 people have fled South Sudan this year amid renewed fighting that’s threatening to return the nation to civil war. The conflict grew worse after the arrest of Fir...

www.democracynow.org

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Jean Pocket @jeanpocket.bsky.social · 12h

Are you ready !!!?? 🤩🙌 #NoKings 👋👋💙

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Fynn Bytez @fynnbytez.bsky.social · 12h

Mamdani is one of the most successful coalition builders right now and has actively engaged basically every part of the big tent and people are STILL acting like he's a weird outcast who can't win.

He's literally the best of us, he can win!

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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 19h

Major news outlets are standing together and refusing to sign. ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, and NBC News have all rejected a new Pentagon policy that would impose unprecedented restrictions on news gathering.

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Dirk Lester 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ✌🏾 @dirk2112.bsky.social · 12h

The wicked become even worse when they are tolerated - Leo Tolstoy

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LyndaGood @lyndagood.bsky.social · 12h

Ah yes, the Young Republicans the future of the GOP, bravely carrying the torch of family values… straight into a private Telegram chat full of gas chamber jokes, rape memes, and slavery “banter.” Nothing says “we’re the moral backbone of America” quite like laughing at humanity’s worst crimes.

‘I love Hitler’: NY GOP caught up in racist chats

www.politico.com

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Mueller, She Wrote @muellershewrote.com · 17h

NEW: Adrian Fontes has CERTIFIED the results of the AZ-07 election of Adelita Grijalva. Mike Johnson is OUT of EXCUSES and should swear her in.

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susantoombs.bsky.social @susantoombs.bsky.social · 14h

I’ve lost too many friends and family to that awful hateful disease.

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 13h

🙏🏾💛🙏🏾

Reposted by Deborah McDowell

Amy Earhart @aearhart.bsky.social · 14h

So much to be grateful for. We are lucky to have you! Thanks for your leadership on here and in the world!

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 14h

ENJOY!!

Reposted by Deborah McDowell

periwinkle @periwinklecrayon.bsky.social · 15h

I've outlived my dad now by 5 years. He was 60. Uncles, aunts, extended family often died in their 50s. Hypertension & kidneys are the weak links. I try not to obsess, but it does make me think. I just retired at 1st opportunity. Maybe not financially prudent, but tomorrow isn't promised.

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 15h

Good for you!!!

Reposted by Deborah McDowell

joyeta.bsky.social @joyeta.bsky.social · 16h

It does make one very aware of life's limitations. On my biological maternal side, age 40 was a big deal. It didn't skip the generations. 2 of my male siblings RIP ages 36 and 46. We 4 girls intake 2 Brothers still here. It can also make one live life fearlessly as I have done, on my own terms.

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 15h

Yes!! Many thanks to you!! Keep living well.

Reposted by Deborah McDowell

Denise Ruttan @teawhilewriting.bsky.social · 16h

My grandfather passed away of a heart attack at 49 and I'm 44 now, you think it's old when you're young until you get there... then it seems so terribly young because it is... I am glad you're still here!

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 15h

Oh yes, it’s so important!!

Reposted by Deborah McDowell

Orion🌈&sm9eb @sm9eb.bsky.social · 16h

My dad--a runner!--also died unexpectedly at 51 while I was in high school, with no life insurance, bc who needs it then? I think about that constantly now. And my ex-boyfriend died suddenly at 42. I keep urging my male friends to *go to the doctor* & take life insurance seriously.

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 15h

Yes!! Cheers to that!!

Reposted by Deborah McDowell

Blue Jazz @jazzisblue.bsky.social · 16h

I happened on your post by chance and it caught me up. My dad dropped dead at 41 of a massive heart attack and I experienced that same gripping fear. I'm sad about D'Angelo passing too. Irreplaceable talent. 😔

But we're both still unexpectedly here. Cheers to that. 🥂

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 15h

Isn’t it? I am so grateful, not just for myself, but also for you.

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Amy Earhart @aearhart.bsky.social · 15h

My dad died at 50 as well from a stroke, and I worried about what that meant for me. It’s amazing what proper medical treatment can do!

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