Dr. Vaughn Joy
@gvaughnjoy.bsky.social
UCL PhD in Christmas Film History • MA in Comic Books • MPhil in Demons • Creator of https://blackwhiteandread.com/ • Author of Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy (2025) • Wife of My Favorite Person • she/her
Pinned
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Liam Neeson in Love Actually is peak masculinity. 20/10 male role model.
November 27, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Liam Neeson in Love Actually is peak masculinity. 20/10 male role model.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
This books looks amazing!
Black Friday Christmas Shopping? May I suggest Selling Out Santa for the history, film, Christmas, or book lovers in your life?
Barnes & Noble has 2x or 3x stamps for rewards members plus 10% off
De Gruyter has it 40% off (first comment)
If Amazon is your thing, they have it 24% off (second)
Barnes & Noble has 2x or 3x stamps for rewards members plus 10% off
De Gruyter has it 40% off (first comment)
If Amazon is your thing, they have it 24% off (second)
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy|Hardcover
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for ...
www.barnesandnoble.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
This books looks amazing!
Black Friday Christmas Shopping? May I suggest Selling Out Santa for the history, film, Christmas, or book lovers in your life?
Barnes & Noble has 2x or 3x stamps for rewards members plus 10% off
De Gruyter has it 40% off (first comment)
If Amazon is your thing, they have it 24% off (second)
Barnes & Noble has 2x or 3x stamps for rewards members plus 10% off
De Gruyter has it 40% off (first comment)
If Amazon is your thing, they have it 24% off (second)
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy|Hardcover
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for ...
www.barnesandnoble.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Black Friday Christmas Shopping? May I suggest Selling Out Santa for the history, film, Christmas, or book lovers in your life?
Barnes & Noble has 2x or 3x stamps for rewards members plus 10% off
De Gruyter has it 40% off (first comment)
If Amazon is your thing, they have it 24% off (second)
Barnes & Noble has 2x or 3x stamps for rewards members plus 10% off
De Gruyter has it 40% off (first comment)
If Amazon is your thing, they have it 24% off (second)
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Thanksgiving is a rightly fraught holiday for us AmericanStudiers, but I also have a ton I’m thankful for. So this year I wanted to combine those perspectives by blogging about indigenous voices, past & present, for whose contributions to our collective conversations I’m profoundly appreciative! 🗃️ +
November 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Thanksgiving is a rightly fraught holiday for us AmericanStudiers, but I also have a ton I’m thankful for. So this year I wanted to combine those perspectives by blogging about indigenous voices, past & present, for whose contributions to our collective conversations I’m profoundly appreciative! 🗃️ +
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Threw It On The Ground forcefully expresses a prescient critique of generative AI before its invention. In this essay, I will
a man is talking to a woman who is holding a cellphone and says man this ain t my dad
Alt: Scene from Threw It On The Ground music video in which our main character indeed throws a cell phone on the ground
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Threw It On The Ground forcefully expresses a prescient critique of generative AI before its invention. In this essay, I will
This is an excellent article on the possible motivations for Trump pressuring Hollywood into making a film he wants.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
November 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This is an excellent article on the possible motivations for Trump pressuring Hollywood into making a film he wants.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
My new book talks about the consequences of a similar kind of political pressure campaign on Hollywood during the McCarthy era, analyzing cultural impacts through a genre study.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Inside Atlanta’s First Government-Funded Supermarket
The goal is for the store to become profitable without any government subsidy within three years.
www.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Third & finally, please check out Vaughn's phenomenal new book, which makes a perfect holiday read, a great present for all the cinephiles & history buffs & people interested in fighting creeping fascism in your life! @hcrichardson.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Third & finally, please check out Vaughn's phenomenal new book, which makes a perfect holiday read, a great present for all the cinephiles & history buffs & people interested in fighting creeping fascism in your life! @hcrichardson.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
bsky.app/profile/gvau...
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Second, a reminder that we're also collecting favorite public scholarly work from 2025--writing, podcast episodes, books--for a special year-end thread. Check out the Announcement & send stuff our way!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Announcements
If you have a talk coming up, a book on its way, a podcast trailer to drop, or an accomplishment to celebrate, we want to help you share it!
blackwhiteandread.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Second, a reminder that we're also collecting favorite public scholarly work from 2025--writing, podcast episodes, books--for a special year-end thread. Check out the Announcement & send stuff our way!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Three requests while you rest & rejuvenate & feast & football this week:
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Three requests while you rest & rejuvenate & feast & football this week:
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
First, I don't have quite as much ability to look for public scholarship from the week for the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, so please share anything you see--or anything of yours--if you get a chance, thanks! 🗃️
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
That's the thing about criticism. It teaches you about yourself. What you value, how you feel about certain things, what in a piece of art matters to *you,* specifically.
And the more you do it, the better you understand yourself. It teaches you who you are and what you believe.
And the more you do it, the better you understand yourself. It teaches you who you are and what you believe.
November 23, 2025 at 5:36 AM
That's the thing about criticism. It teaches you about yourself. What you value, how you feel about certain things, what in a piece of art matters to *you,* specifically.
And the more you do it, the better you understand yourself. It teaches you who you are and what you believe.
And the more you do it, the better you understand yourself. It teaches you who you are and what you believe.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
One of the best things you can learn to say is "I don't know" or "I haven't tried it." Remain curious and open and make sure your opinions are *yours.*
That's really hard to do in a world designed to tell you how to feel about everything, but goddamn is it crucial to like... being a person.
That's really hard to do in a world designed to tell you how to feel about everything, but goddamn is it crucial to like... being a person.
November 23, 2025 at 5:27 AM
One of the best things you can learn to say is "I don't know" or "I haven't tried it." Remain curious and open and make sure your opinions are *yours.*
That's really hard to do in a world designed to tell you how to feel about everything, but goddamn is it crucial to like... being a person.
That's really hard to do in a world designed to tell you how to feel about everything, but goddamn is it crucial to like... being a person.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Yep, but you're in luck--now there's a place to send that stuff too! bsky.app/profile/gvau...
🚨 ATTENTION PUBLIC SCHOLARS 🚨
As an end of year special #ScholarSunday thread, @americanstudier.bsky.social and I would like to share your favorite pieces from the year, especially if they're yours!
Did an essay or podcast episode blow you away with pride or brilliance? Please email us!
As an end of year special #ScholarSunday thread, @americanstudier.bsky.social and I would like to share your favorite pieces from the year, especially if they're yours!
Did an essay or podcast episode blow you away with pride or brilliance? Please email us!
Announcements
If you have a talk coming up, a book on its way, a podcast trailer to drop, or an accomplishment to celebrate, we want to help you share it!
blackwhiteandread.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Yep, but you're in luck--now there's a place to send that stuff too! bsky.app/profile/gvau...
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
November 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...
Publications by Non-Tenure-Track Historians
Since we began publishing in 2019, Contingent has published end-of-year lists of books and articles by non-tenure-track historians released in the past calendar year. To submit something for inclusion...
contingentmagazine.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Or, if the price is too much (it is $44 pre-discount, so I get it!), but you like the work and want to contribute what you can, my venmo is here.
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
Venmo | Vaughn Joy
Venmo is a digital wallet that lets you make and share payments with friends. You can easily split the bill, cab fare, or much more. Download the iOS or Android app or sign up on Venmo.com today.
venmo.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Or, if the price is too much (it is $44 pre-discount, so I get it!), but you like the work and want to contribute what you can, my venmo is here.
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
PS. & one more time, we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including & especially your own of course!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Announcements
If you have a talk coming up, a book on its way, a podcast trailer to drop, or an accomplishment to celebrate, we want to help you share it!
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
PS. & one more time, we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including & especially your own of course!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
PSA:
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 PM
PSA:
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.