Dr. Zara Anishanslin
@drzara.bsky.social
Historian with a Thing for Things
Creator/Co-host Thing4Things Podcast
Author THE PAINTER’S FIRE (July 1, 2025)
Creator/Co-host Thing4Things Podcast
Author THE PAINTER’S FIRE (July 1, 2025)
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
People are losing faith in democracy’s ability to deliver social progress. But are democracies better than autocracies at promoting economic growth, alleviating poverty, and creating healthier, more educated, and more peaceful societies? On all counts, the answer is yes.
What Democracy Does . . . And Does Not Do | Journal of Democracy
People are losing faith in democracy’s ability to deliver social progress. But are democracies better than autocracies at promoting economic growth, alleviating poverty, and creating healthier…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:54 PM
People are losing faith in democracy’s ability to deliver social progress. But are democracies better than autocracies at promoting economic growth, alleviating poverty, and creating healthier, more educated, and more peaceful societies? On all counts, the answer is yes.
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Earlier this year, the United States deported 252 Venezuelans to El Salvador and paid its government to imprison them. Now two human-rights organizations have found that all of those men were physically abused, Conor Friedersdorf writes:
What the Deported Venezuelans Went Through in El Salvador
Forty men sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration have shared disturbing accounts of abuse by a regime that America paid to imprison them.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Earlier this year, the United States deported 252 Venezuelans to El Salvador and paid its government to imprison them. Now two human-rights organizations have found that all of those men were physically abused, Conor Friedersdorf writes:
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Yn a free society, universitye-level studye of the artes and humanityes sholde not be avaylable onlye to the wealthye and privileged.
November 20, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Yn a free society, universitye-level studye of the artes and humanityes sholde not be avaylable onlye to the wealthye and privileged.
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
“We don’t deserve the trust of the nation if we’re unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a fear of reprisal.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“We don’t deserve the trust of the nation if we’re unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a fear of reprisal.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Cast your mind back a few presidents and remind yourself how INSANE this question is.
A real question asked at the White House press briefing: Does the president want to execute members of Congress?
November 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Cast your mind back a few presidents and remind yourself how INSANE this question is.
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Ken Burns’ new documentary about the American Revolution premieres on Sunday at 8pm Eastern, and @herberthistory.bsky.social, @michaelhattem.bsky.social, & I are hosting a watch party!
It’s free to join and you can chat with and ask us questions throughout the premiere.
It’s free to join and you can chat with and ask us questions throughout the premiere.
Ken Burns' The American Revolution Watch Party
Watch the premiere of Ken Burns' The American Revolution on PBS with historians Liz Covart, Jason Herbert, and Michael Hattem.
benfranklinsworld.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Ken Burns’ new documentary about the American Revolution premieres on Sunday at 8pm Eastern, and @herberthistory.bsky.social, @michaelhattem.bsky.social, & I are hosting a watch party!
It’s free to join and you can chat with and ask us questions throughout the premiere.
It’s free to join and you can chat with and ask us questions throughout the premiere.
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Think all Rev War artists were elite white men?
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Episode 423: Zara Anishanslin, The Forgotten Artists of the American Revolution
Zara Anishanslin joins us to uncover the hidden world of artists, artisans, and makers who painted, stitched, and crafted the Revolution into being.
benfranklinsworld.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Think all Rev War artists were elite white men?
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Revolutionary art wasn’t all Trumbull and Copley.
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Revolutionary art wasn’t all Trumbull and Copley.
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Museums show us the art that survives.
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
Episode 423: Zara Anishanslin, The Forgotten Artists of the American Revolution
Zara Anishanslin joins us to uncover the hidden world of artists, artisans, and makers who painted, stitched, and crafted the Revolution into being.
benfranklinsworld.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Museums show us the art that survives.
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Prince Demah: Enslaved in Massachusetts. Trained in London. Painted portraits. Fought for liberty. Left everything to his mother, Daphny. His life reads like fiction—but it’s true.
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
November 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Prince Demah: Enslaved in Massachusetts. Trained in London. Painted portraits. Fought for liberty. Left everything to his mother, Daphny. His life reads like fiction—but it’s true.
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
REV. BLACK (who was shot in the head with a pepper ball): “If this is what they’re doing to pastors, journalists, teachers, mothers, and the elderly gathered to sing and pray outside ICE facilities… what might they be doing to our neighbors who are behind those walls?”
October 31, 2025 at 2:33 AM
REV. BLACK (who was shot in the head with a pepper ball): “If this is what they’re doing to pastors, journalists, teachers, mothers, and the elderly gathered to sing and pray outside ICE facilities… what might they be doing to our neighbors who are behind those walls?”
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
“if Rushmore’s story is told the right way, ‘people are going to be leaving pissed’”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘The Rushmore story is hard to tell’: how an Indigenous park leader revealed the monument’s dark side
As memorial marks 100 years, Gerard Baker, park’s Native American ex-superintendent believes if Rushmore’s story is told the right way, ‘people are going to be leaving pissed’
www.theguardian.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:23 PM
“if Rushmore’s story is told the right way, ‘people are going to be leaving pissed’”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
SNAP isn't about "people who don't work." It's about people who don't get paid enough to live.
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
October 27, 2025 at 12:48 AM
SNAP isn't about "people who don't work." It's about people who don't get paid enough to live.
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:
* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled
* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Here it is, my 247th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 247 (10/26/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
Here it is, my 247th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy,...
blackwhiteandread.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Here it is, my 247th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
What will surprise you most about Prince Demah?
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
October 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
What will surprise you most about Prince Demah?
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Ben Franklin's World has a weekly newsletter, History Behind the Headlines. Each week, @lizcovart.bsky.social takes a historical lens to the origins of a topic in the news.
This week, learn more about the White House. Read the issue and subscribe: ben-franklins-world.kit.com/profile
This week, learn more about the White House. Read the issue and subscribe: ben-franklins-world.kit.com/profile
Ben Franklin's World
Ben Franklin's World is an award-winning podcast about early American history hosted by historian Liz Covart, Ph.D. It's for people who love and enjoy history and want to know more about the people, p...
ben-franklins-world.kit.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Ben Franklin's World has a weekly newsletter, History Behind the Headlines. Each week, @lizcovart.bsky.social takes a historical lens to the origins of a topic in the news.
This week, learn more about the White House. Read the issue and subscribe: ben-franklins-world.kit.com/profile
This week, learn more about the White House. Read the issue and subscribe: ben-franklins-world.kit.com/profile
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Revolutionary art wasn’t all Trumbull and Copley.
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
October 23, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Revolutionary art wasn’t all Trumbull and Copley.
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
🎨 Some artists were enslaved. Some were women.
In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social shares the story of Prince Demah—painter, patriot, and genius.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#ArtHistory #AmericanRevolution
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
What will surprise you most about Prince Demah?
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
October 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
What will surprise you most about Prince Demah?
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
His London training? His enlistment with Paul Revere’s artillery unit? Or how he honored his mother Daphny in his will?
🎧 Ep. 423 of Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/423
#History #AmericanRevolution
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Think all Rev War artists were elite white men?
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Episode 423: Zara Anishanslin, The Forgotten Artists of the American Revolution
Zara Anishanslin joins us to uncover the hidden world of artists, artisans, and makers who painted, stitched, and crafted the Revolution into being.
benfranklinsworld.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Think all Rev War artists were elite white men?
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Meet Prince Demah: Black, enslaved, trained in London, and a Patriot.
🎧 His story challenges the canon. Hear more on Ben Franklin’s World w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#ArtHistory #RevWar #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Museums show us the art that survives.
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
Episode 423: Zara Anishanslin, The Forgotten Artists of the American Revolution
Zara Anishanslin joins us to uncover the hidden world of artists, artisans, and makers who painted, stitched, and crafted the Revolution into being.
benfranklinsworld.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Museums show us the art that survives.
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
But what about the art—and artists—we’ve lost?
🎧 In Ep. 423, @drzara.bsky.social reveals the lives of forgotten creators like Prince Demah.
Listen: benfranklinsworld.com/423
💬 Which stories deserve to be remembered?
#AmericanRevolution #History
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Prince Demah: Enslaved in Massachusetts. Trained in London. Painted portraits. Fought for liberty. Left everything to his mother, Daphny. His life reads like fiction—but it’s true.
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Prince Demah: Enslaved in Massachusetts. Trained in London. Painted portraits. Fought for liberty. Left everything to his mother, Daphny. His life reads like fiction—but it’s true.
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
🎧 Hear his story: benfranklinsworld.com/423 w/ @drzara.bsky.social
#HiddenHistories #AmericanRevolution
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
A big question now is: why isn't FEMA in western Alaska?
Because they have not been deployed.
Gov. Dunleavy has requested a federal disaster declaration, and Alaska is waiting to hear back.
In the meantime, it's all local, tribal and state led relief efforts.
alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/17/m...
Because they have not been deployed.
Gov. Dunleavy has requested a federal disaster declaration, and Alaska is waiting to hear back.
In the meantime, it's all local, tribal and state led relief efforts.
alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/17/m...
Municipal, state officials mobilize to welcome hundreds of storm evacuees to Anchorage | Alaska Beacon
Alaska has requested a federal disaster declaration; in the meantime, the state is bearing the cost of aid, response and cleanup.
alaskabeacon.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A big question now is: why isn't FEMA in western Alaska?
Because they have not been deployed.
Gov. Dunleavy has requested a federal disaster declaration, and Alaska is waiting to hear back.
In the meantime, it's all local, tribal and state led relief efforts.
alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/17/m...
Because they have not been deployed.
Gov. Dunleavy has requested a federal disaster declaration, and Alaska is waiting to hear back.
In the meantime, it's all local, tribal and state led relief efforts.
alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/17/m...
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
ICYMI, I wrote this about why we need humanities majors now, more than ever, and how they succeed.
Maybe even pass it on to students whose One Relative at the Thanksgiving table condescendingly asks "what are you going to do with THAT degree?" Here are some talking points—and data!—to refute them.
Maybe even pass it on to students whose One Relative at the Thanksgiving table condescendingly asks "what are you going to do with THAT degree?" Here are some talking points—and data!—to refute them.
My latest: "Numerous studies show that majors in the humanities—typically, in departments of English, history, philosophy, religious studies, classics and languages—lead students to employment and life satisfaction outcomes as positive as those for majors traditionally championed as 'practical.'”
Counterpoint | Minnesota humanities graduates thrive in meaningful careers
"The stereotype of the underemployed history major is simply not true," professor Andrea Kaston Tange writes.
www.startribune.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
ICYMI, I wrote this about why we need humanities majors now, more than ever, and how they succeed.
Maybe even pass it on to students whose One Relative at the Thanksgiving table condescendingly asks "what are you going to do with THAT degree?" Here are some talking points—and data!—to refute them.
Maybe even pass it on to students whose One Relative at the Thanksgiving table condescendingly asks "what are you going to do with THAT degree?" Here are some talking points—and data!—to refute them.
Reposted by Dr. Zara Anishanslin
Speaker Johnson: "People’s faith in the government is at an all time low"
Republicans control all 3 branches of the government.
Republicans control all 3 branches of the government.
October 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Speaker Johnson: "People’s faith in the government is at an all time low"
Republicans control all 3 branches of the government.
Republicans control all 3 branches of the government.