Ben Johnson
@benjaminhjohns1.bsky.social
I study history in order to understand and help others understand the crazy world in which we live. Environment, climate, borders, violence and memory are key. Also @refusing2forget.bsky.social. My opinions are mine, sadly almost never my employer's.
Reposted by Ben Johnson
The people who think the Bible, which was written by mystics, priests, and poets, means only what it literally says are the same people who think the Constitution, which was written by lawyers, cannot possibly mean what it literally says.
Exactly. If they meant freed people, they would have written, "freed people." Instead, they wrote, "all persons" because they meant all persons.
This debate is idiotic.
This debate is idiotic.
December 7, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The people who think the Bible, which was written by mystics, priests, and poets, means only what it literally says are the same people who think the Constitution, which was written by lawyers, cannot possibly mean what it literally says.
Caminante, no hay camino. Camino se hace al andar
Like @prisonculture.bsky.social, I've been worried about the ways popular myths of the civil rights movement make it hard to see how to struggle today. On the 70th anniversary of the Montgomery bus boycott, the things we get wrong & what a fuller history shows us: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What we get wrong about the Montgomery bus boycott – and what we can learn from it | Jeanne Theoharis
The movement’s success was never a given. It took much longer and required tremendous sacrifice without certainty it would work
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Caminante, no hay camino. Camino se hace al andar
Reposted by Ben Johnson
December 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by Ben Johnson
Minneapolis stands up to ICE
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now/news/minneap...
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now/news/minneap...
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now
December 6, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Minneapolis stands up to ICE
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now/news/minneap...
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now/news/minneap...
Buckle up kids
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the birthright citizenship case.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
Supreme Court Agrees to Review Trump Order Restricting Birthright Citizenship
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Buckle up kids
Reposted by Ben Johnson
You know who covers community colleges pretty well? Local media.
Article title: The NYT wrote more about Harvard last year than all community colleges combined
I posted three main figure from the article below
www.vox.com/2014/7/23/59...
I posted three main figure from the article below
www.vox.com/2014/7/23/59...
December 3, 2025 at 1:33 AM
You know who covers community colleges pretty well? Local media.
Reposted by Ben Johnson
21,000+ people used our resources this year—teachers, students, journalists, families. Help us keep this history accessible. Support Refusing to Forget this #GivingTuesday.
👉 Donate on Mighty Cause: www.mightycause.com/donate/Refus...
👉 Join Patreon: www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
👉 Donate on Mighty Cause: www.mightycause.com/donate/Refus...
👉 Join Patreon: www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
December 2, 2025 at 5:29 PM
21,000+ people used our resources this year—teachers, students, journalists, families. Help us keep this history accessible. Support Refusing to Forget this #GivingTuesday.
👉 Donate on Mighty Cause: www.mightycause.com/donate/Refus...
👉 Join Patreon: www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
👉 Donate on Mighty Cause: www.mightycause.com/donate/Refus...
👉 Join Patreon: www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
Hey folks — I'll be appearing soon at the Dallas Jewish Bookfest to talk about "Neither Fish nor Fowl: A Mercantile Jewish Family on the Rio Grande."
The event is on Monday, December 8, at 7 pm at the Aaron Family JCC. See the link for details and registration.
www.jccdallas.org/events/bookf...
The event is on Monday, December 8, at 7 pm at the Aaron Family JCC. See the link for details and registration.
www.jccdallas.org/events/bookf...
BookFest: Neither Fish nor Fowl
Bookfest
www.jccdallas.org
November 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Hey folks — I'll be appearing soon at the Dallas Jewish Bookfest to talk about "Neither Fish nor Fowl: A Mercantile Jewish Family on the Rio Grande."
The event is on Monday, December 8, at 7 pm at the Aaron Family JCC. See the link for details and registration.
www.jccdallas.org/events/bookf...
The event is on Monday, December 8, at 7 pm at the Aaron Family JCC. See the link for details and registration.
www.jccdallas.org/events/bookf...
Glad to see Rogers fighting back.
sanantonioreport.org/alamo-trust-...
sanantonioreport.org/alamo-trust-...
Why ousted Alamo Trust CEO Kate Rogers isn't going quietly
In this Q&A, Rogers talks about using her high-profile lawsuit to defend academic freedom amid increasing political scrutiny.
sanantonioreport.org
November 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Glad to see Rogers fighting back.
sanantonioreport.org/alamo-trust-...
sanantonioreport.org/alamo-trust-...
hey kids, check out Yale Press's sale. 30% off most titles with this code. That includes my books, but I just looked, and they publish other authors too, so check it out!
yalebooks.yale.edu/gift30/
yalebooks.yale.edu/gift30/
2025 Holiday Sale - Yale University Press
Receive 30% off with discount code GIFT30 at time of purchase, from November 24, 2025 to 11:59 pm EST December 5, 2025. What is included in the Sale? Limited to print... READ MORE
yalebooks.yale.edu
November 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
hey kids, check out Yale Press's sale. 30% off most titles with this code. That includes my books, but I just looked, and they publish other authors too, so check it out!
yalebooks.yale.edu/gift30/
yalebooks.yale.edu/gift30/
liars, liars, liars. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/25/f...
Feds Repeatedly Lied And Misled The Public During Chicago Immigration Crackdown, Federal Judge Rules
In a scathing opinion, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis highlighted lies and distortions by Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino and immigration agents in press releases, social media posts and their own inte...
blockclubchicago.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
liars, liars, liars. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/25/f...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
That sound you heard was every GOP elected official with a lick of sense absolutely SHITTING themselves thinking about the visual of Mark Kelly back in uniform before a military court as Whiskey Pete's handpicked chucklefucks try to railroad him on bogus charges.
November 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
That sound you heard was every GOP elected official with a lick of sense absolutely SHITTING themselves thinking about the visual of Mark Kelly back in uniform before a military court as Whiskey Pete's handpicked chucklefucks try to railroad him on bogus charges.
totally unhinged
In an unhinged dissent in our Texas redistricting victory, a GOP appointed judge seems to believe that George Soros and I did...well, I'm not sure what...but he is very mad. Bigly.
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
totally unhinged
Reposted by Ben Johnson
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
Our virtual event is just one week away! Join us as we bring together these powerful voices to reflect on this urgent moment & the ongoing struggle to protect truthful history.
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
November 12, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Our virtual event is just one week away! Join us as we bring together these powerful voices to reflect on this urgent moment & the ongoing struggle to protect truthful history.
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
On Sunday, local community members made the yearly walk to the Matanza of 1915 historical marker. RTF cofounder @gonzalest956.bsky.social, said the murders happened "in response to the last colonial rebellion by ethnic Mexicans against U.S. sovereignty."
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
La caminata honors 'the last colonial rebellion', Trump fights SNAP payments in court, election day set for Tuesday
Trinidad Gonzales, who co-founded the history project Refusing to Forget, said the murders happened "in response to the last colonial rebellion by ethnic Mexicans against U.S. sovereignty."
www.acrosstheamericas.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
On Sunday, local community members made the yearly walk to the Matanza of 1915 historical marker. RTF cofounder @gonzalest956.bsky.social, said the murders happened "in response to the last colonial rebellion by ethnic Mexicans against U.S. sovereignty."
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
new podcast on TX history dropped today. I'm the guest of honor on the first episode. Might take me weeks to screw up the courage to hear the sound of my own voice. Interviewer asked great questions, so I have high hopes . . .
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
“Lone Star Lore Podcast”
Explore Texas history through immersive storytelling. Lone Star Lore reveals the myths, truths, and untold stories that still shape who we are today.
www.griffynco.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
new podcast on TX history dropped today. I'm the guest of honor on the first episode. Might take me weeks to screw up the courage to hear the sound of my own voice. Interviewer asked great questions, so I have high hopes . . .
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
🕯Día de los Muertos is upon us.🕯
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
Dia de los Muertos Altar - Refusing to Forget
Day of the Dead is a celebration of Life.
refusingtoforget.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🕯Día de los Muertos is upon us.🕯
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
I have arrived as a Texas historian. My book yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300... fails to finger LBJ as the mastermind of the JFK assassination.
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I have arrived as a Texas historian. My book yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300... fails to finger LBJ as the mastermind of the JFK assassination.
God I love this. (I’m from Texas as are both my parents and almost all my aunts and uncles are queer).
I wrote the first version of this draft almost exactly a year ago, but I wasn’t ready.
I am now.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/27/t...
I am now.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/27/t...
Texas Is a Lot More Queer Than You Think. I Am Too.
There are 1.8 million of us, and we’re not going anywhere.
thebarbedwire.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:35 PM
God I love this. (I’m from Texas as are both my parents and almost all my aunts and uncles are queer).
Reposted by Ben Johnson
Damphousse has “provided a model for McCarthyite suppression of constitutionally-protected speech that will undoubtedly provide a toxic model for other colleges + universities across the country with similar timid and unethical leadership,” Michael Phillips said.
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
Firing of Alter, other administrative decisions, lead guest lecturers to withdraw from speaking
At least three academics, including two potential research consultants, have withdrawn from or declined offers to speak to or work with history classes at Texas State since Sept. 10. The guest lectur...
universitystar.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Damphousse has “provided a model for McCarthyite suppression of constitutionally-protected speech that will undoubtedly provide a toxic model for other colleges + universities across the country with similar timid and unethical leadership,” Michael Phillips said.
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
History peeps, especially grad students and those who advise them: check out the CFP for Loyola's graduate student conference in February!
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
www.luc.edu
October 26, 2025 at 9:33 PM
History peeps, especially grad students and those who advise them: check out the CFP for Loyola's graduate student conference in February!
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
poor fragile Dan Patrick, read this article to see how easily he is rattled.
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
Dan Patrick seeks Alamo Trust’s CEO’s exit over dissertation
The lieutenant governor has insisted that the Alamo’s story remain focused on the 1836 battle over broader narratives addressing Indigenous people and slavery.
www.texastribune.org
October 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
poor fragile Dan Patrick, read this article to see how easily he is rattled.
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
Texas Takes Shape: Perceptions, Power and the Politics of Identity – Texas Book Festival
texasbookfestival.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM