Melissa Vanden Bout
@docvanden.bsky.social
Ethicist and troublemaker. The only way out is through. The only way through is together. (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇵🇸
Pinned
(For now, my latest article.)
Betray can mean “break faith,”or it can mean “reveal.” In its choices about who it protects and who it identifies as a threat, an institution tells us who it really was all along.
My story of institutional betrayal: www.advancejournal.org/article/94664
Betray can mean “break faith,”or it can mean “reveal.” In its choices about who it protects and who it identifies as a threat, an institution tells us who it really was all along.
My story of institutional betrayal: www.advancejournal.org/article/94664
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
If you are in the National Guard and fear you may be deployed to violate the rights of US citizens, there is help. Call the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 AM
If you are in the National Guard and fear you may be deployed to violate the rights of US citizens, there is help. Call the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
If you want to help someone from Gaza in a non monetary way Reem is working on her degree in journalism and made a short video on a festival in Gaza and needs likes on it www.instagram.com/reel/DRh35XL...
Reem Osama Ismail on Instagram: "بمناسبة عيد الاتحاد الوطني لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة وبرعاية كريمة من دولة الإمارات العربيه المتحدة ممثله بعملية الفارس الشهم 3
تم اليوم إتمام قرعة اختيار المش...
Operation Fares Al Shaham 3, a union celebration in Gaza, brings together 48 grooms for a future filled with hope, joy, and positivity, under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates. This initiative...
www.instagram.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
If you want to help someone from Gaza in a non monetary way Reem is working on her degree in journalism and made a short video on a festival in Gaza and needs likes on it www.instagram.com/reel/DRh35XL...
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
The rising unemployment rate among Black women is a five-alarm fire.
It is a crisis for Black women, Black families, and Black futures—and a glaring red flag for our economy.
It is a crisis for Black women, Black families, and Black futures—and a glaring red flag for our economy.
November 27, 2025 at 3:19 AM
The rising unemployment rate among Black women is a five-alarm fire.
It is a crisis for Black women, Black families, and Black futures—and a glaring red flag for our economy.
It is a crisis for Black women, Black families, and Black futures—and a glaring red flag for our economy.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
It’s the busiest shopping period of the year, so we’re hitting pause on buying from corporations that enable Trump’s fascist agenda: weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=bluesky
November 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM
It’s the busiest shopping period of the year, so we’re hitting pause on buying from corporations that enable Trump’s fascist agenda: weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=bluesky
Truly, friends.
If this is you, I hope you do something kind for yourself tomorrow. Doesn’t have to be profound. Just you taking your needs seriously, ok? And your need for peace or joy or safety or affirmation—those are as serious as it gets. You deserve those things, and I hope you get them.
If this is you, I hope you do something kind for yourself tomorrow. Doesn’t have to be profound. Just you taking your needs seriously, ok? And your need for peace or joy or safety or affirmation—those are as serious as it gets. You deserve those things, and I hope you get them.
An annual reminder:
The cognitive & emotional toll of staying in contact with abusive family can be both significant & difficult to recognize.
There's a kind of social contract that abusive parents have violated. You owe them nothing. Nothing.
Thanksgiving doesn't change that.
The cognitive & emotional toll of staying in contact with abusive family can be both significant & difficult to recognize.
There's a kind of social contract that abusive parents have violated. You owe them nothing. Nothing.
Thanksgiving doesn't change that.
November 27, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Truly, friends.
If this is you, I hope you do something kind for yourself tomorrow. Doesn’t have to be profound. Just you taking your needs seriously, ok? And your need for peace or joy or safety or affirmation—those are as serious as it gets. You deserve those things, and I hope you get them.
If this is you, I hope you do something kind for yourself tomorrow. Doesn’t have to be profound. Just you taking your needs seriously, ok? And your need for peace or joy or safety or affirmation—those are as serious as it gets. You deserve those things, and I hope you get them.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
An incredibly important read from our friend @seemiaroll.bsky.social
"Obtaining an education is one of the best ways to help disabled people secure a stable income—and by weakening the IDEA, the Trump administration is trying to take those opportunities away."
"Obtaining an education is one of the best ways to help disabled people secure a stable income—and by weakening the IDEA, the Trump administration is trying to take those opportunities away."
Weakening the IDEA Threatens Millions of Disabled Americans Like Me
Ives-Rublee: Federal law made it possible for disabled students like me to go to school. Those opportunities may vanish for the next generation.
www.the74million.org
November 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
An incredibly important read from our friend @seemiaroll.bsky.social
"Obtaining an education is one of the best ways to help disabled people secure a stable income—and by weakening the IDEA, the Trump administration is trying to take those opportunities away."
"Obtaining an education is one of the best ways to help disabled people secure a stable income—and by weakening the IDEA, the Trump administration is trying to take those opportunities away."
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
They don't have to ban vaccines outright. They can just force people to jump through enough hoops to get vaccines that they eventually stop trying and give up.
The CDC has turned off its vaccine search tool.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
They don't have to ban vaccines outright. They can just force people to jump through enough hoops to get vaccines that they eventually stop trying and give up.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
senators will go on late night talk shows instead of demand the impeachment of a president that literally called for their execution
What a week and it’s only Tuesday. See me on Jimmy Kimmel tonight to talk all about it.
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 AM
senators will go on late night talk shows instead of demand the impeachment of a president that literally called for their execution
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
A Gen Z-led advocacy group announced a boycott campaign targeting major corporations “that enable, profit from, or directly collaborate with ICE.” Beyond the Ballot launched “Not With My Dollars: ICE Out of My Wallet” just days before Black Friday kicks off.
Boycott Campaign Targets Companies Tied to ICE Ahead of Black Friday
The Not With My Dollars campaign takes aim at Amazon, Whole Foods, Dell, Microsoft, Home Depot, Spotify, and Target.
truthout.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A Gen Z-led advocacy group announced a boycott campaign targeting major corporations “that enable, profit from, or directly collaborate with ICE.” Beyond the Ballot launched “Not With My Dollars: ICE Out of My Wallet” just days before Black Friday kicks off.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Waters: This is an important press conference that is being held to let you know what we're all doing: resisting this lowdown dirty no good filthy president
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Waters: This is an important press conference that is being held to let you know what we're all doing: resisting this lowdown dirty no good filthy president
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
In case you missed this, the BBC edited a historian's speech about Trump to remove the claim that he's "the most openly corrupt president in US history." This came after Trump had threatened a $1 billion lawsuit.
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump Angrily Threatened to Sue BBC. Then Things Took a Darker Turn.
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
In case you missed this, the BBC edited a historian's speech about Trump to remove the claim that he's "the most openly corrupt president in US history." This came after Trump had threatened a $1 billion lawsuit.
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
I usually create a thread of options for people who would like to donate to a Native cause or struggle, but it has gotten HARDER to fundraise on socials over the past couple of years, so I am zeroing in on one ask this year. Pls support Native organizing infrastructure: nativeorganizing.org/donate/
November 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I usually create a thread of options for people who would like to donate to a Native cause or struggle, but it has gotten HARDER to fundraise on socials over the past couple of years, so I am zeroing in on one ask this year. Pls support Native organizing infrastructure: nativeorganizing.org/donate/
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
A young mother separated from her 3-year-old and 7-year -old daughters who beg her to collect them. 11-year-old boy lives alone for 3 months, walking to 5th grade graduation by himself, administering his asthma meds with a nebulizer.
Photo: women sobbing at the airport when their kids don't arrive.
Photo: women sobbing at the airport when their kids don't arrive.
NEW: A growing number of children have been left in the care of relatives, neighbors & babysitters after parents have been deported by ICE.
Few countries have been as vocal as Venezuela, which claims 150 children have been separated.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
Few countries have been as vocal as Venezuela, which claims 150 children have been separated.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/n...
Deported and Desperate to Be Reunited With Their Children
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:29 AM
A young mother separated from her 3-year-old and 7-year -old daughters who beg her to collect them. 11-year-old boy lives alone for 3 months, walking to 5th grade graduation by himself, administering his asthma meds with a nebulizer.
Photo: women sobbing at the airport when their kids don't arrive.
Photo: women sobbing at the airport when their kids don't arrive.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Normand Meunier is a Canadian man with quadriplegia who accessed MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) after being left for 96 hours on a stretcher in the ER.
His requests for a specialized mattress were denied.
He wasn't turned regularly.
He developed bed sores so bad, he opted to end his life.
His requests for a specialized mattress were denied.
He wasn't turned regularly.
He developed bed sores so bad, he opted to end his life.
November 25, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Normand Meunier is a Canadian man with quadriplegia who accessed MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) after being left for 96 hours on a stretcher in the ER.
His requests for a specialized mattress were denied.
He wasn't turned regularly.
He developed bed sores so bad, he opted to end his life.
His requests for a specialized mattress were denied.
He wasn't turned regularly.
He developed bed sores so bad, he opted to end his life.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
I’m sharing a Palestinian account every day and today is Ahmed. Ahmed was a driver but he lost his car and his home. He is trying to take care of his four children. Fires who is in dental school, Mohammed who finished his final year of high school, Halal, a 7th grader and Bisan, a 5th grader.
November 25, 2025 at 9:55 AM
I’m sharing a Palestinian account every day and today is Ahmed. Ahmed was a driver but he lost his car and his home. He is trying to take care of his four children. Fires who is in dental school, Mohammed who finished his final year of high school, Halal, a 7th grader and Bisan, a 5th grader.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs don’t bark at parked cars." They’re coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlé Crenshaw.
November 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs don’t bark at parked cars." They’re coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Israel has held 16-year-old American, Mohammed Ibrahim, without trial, for 9 months.
He has been denied contact with family & his health is deteriorating. He says he falsely confessed to throwing a rock after being beaten.
America needs to secure his release NOW.
He has been denied contact with family & his health is deteriorating. He says he falsely confessed to throwing a rock after being beaten.
America needs to secure his release NOW.
November 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Israel has held 16-year-old American, Mohammed Ibrahim, without trial, for 9 months.
He has been denied contact with family & his health is deteriorating. He says he falsely confessed to throwing a rock after being beaten.
America needs to secure his release NOW.
He has been denied contact with family & his health is deteriorating. He says he falsely confessed to throwing a rock after being beaten.
America needs to secure his release NOW.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Brasil's top court to Bolsonaro... GO TO JAIL NOW. Start that 27 years son, we don't care if you were hallucinating! WOW. Look at what a functioning democracy can do.
SIGH. Meanwhile, our supreme court just upholds everything the 38 count felon wants.
SIGH. Meanwhile, our supreme court just upholds everything the 38 count felon wants.
November 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Brasil's top court to Bolsonaro... GO TO JAIL NOW. Start that 27 years son, we don't care if you were hallucinating! WOW. Look at what a functioning democracy can do.
SIGH. Meanwhile, our supreme court just upholds everything the 38 count felon wants.
SIGH. Meanwhile, our supreme court just upholds everything the 38 count felon wants.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Bibi is a good and trusted person who cares about others and the disabled and chronic illness community! If you can help out, know you're helping someone who needs it and will be using it responsibly!
Hello!! Here's my Ko-Fi goal to help with my surgery costs! The surgery itself is covered but stuff like the nasal splints (300$) & recovery items aren't covered. So any help is greatly appreciated!
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 2% of goal on Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/bibiblossoms...
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 2% of goal on Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/bibiblossoms...
Support Bibi
Support Bibi
ko-fi.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Bibi is a good and trusted person who cares about others and the disabled and chronic illness community! If you can help out, know you're helping someone who needs it and will be using it responsibly!
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Have I mentioned how awesome @bibiblossoms.bsky.social is?? Because seriously. Want to be a mensch and help with surgery recovery?
Hello!! Here's my Ko-Fi goal to help with my surgery costs! The surgery itself is covered but stuff like the nasal splints (300$) & recovery items aren't covered. So any help is greatly appreciated!
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 2% of goal on Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/bibiblossoms...
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 2% of goal on Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/bibiblossoms...
Support Bibi
Support Bibi
ko-fi.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Have I mentioned how awesome @bibiblossoms.bsky.social is?? Because seriously. Want to be a mensch and help with surgery recovery?
Love Bibi. Chip in here if you can, and be sure to stop by her store—their stuff is fantastic and so clever.
Hello!! Here's my Ko-Fi goal to help with my surgery costs! The surgery itself is covered but stuff like the nasal splints (300$) & recovery items aren't covered. So any help is greatly appreciated!
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 2% of goal on Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/bibiblossoms...
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 2% of goal on Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/bibiblossoms...
Support Bibi
Support Bibi
ko-fi.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Love Bibi. Chip in here if you can, and be sure to stop by her store—their stuff is fantastic and so clever.
Help if you can.
South Chicago family taken by ICE and their daughter liquidating their store. See details posted by @pilsenfreestore on IG.
November 25, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Help if you can.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest survivor of The Tulsa Race Massacre passed away. Let’s honor her memory by remembering her story
November 25, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest survivor of The Tulsa Race Massacre passed away. Let’s honor her memory by remembering her story