Hakeem Jefferson
@hakeemjefferson.bsky.social
Assistant professor of political science. I think about identity, stigma, race, and politics more than any normal person should. Lover of life. Pro-democracy.
People should dance more.
Not Hakeem Jeffries, the Minority Leader.
People should dance more.
Not Hakeem Jeffries, the Minority Leader.
In Donald Trump’s America, you can be a lying, corrupt politician or corporate goon and count on a pardon. But if you’re a hardworking immigrant who’s done nothing wrong, you can expect to be harassed and beaten by masked thugs enforcing this administration’s vile immigration policies. Shameful.
December 3, 2025 at 5:46 PM
In Donald Trump’s America, you can be a lying, corrupt politician or corporate goon and count on a pardon. But if you’re a hardworking immigrant who’s done nothing wrong, you can expect to be harassed and beaten by masked thugs enforcing this administration’s vile immigration policies. Shameful.
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
What does it say about this country that that the kind of open, rank bigotry Trump administration officials regularly express towards black immigrants apparently has no social cost because of the number of Americans who quietly agree or don't care.
December 3, 2025 at 11:35 AM
What does it say about this country that that the kind of open, rank bigotry Trump administration officials regularly express towards black immigrants apparently has no social cost because of the number of Americans who quietly agree or don't care.
The essay deserves a failing grade. It doesn’t tie to the assigned reading or engage its claims or evidence in any serious or sustained fashion; it just repeats the students’ pre-existing beliefs, and does so poorly. Even personal experience requires showing real engagement & no sign of that here.
OU puts graduate instructor on leave after student claims discrimination on Bible-based essay grade
OU has placed a graduate student instructor on leave after a student publicly contested a grade and filed an illegal discrimination claim after receiving a failing grade on an essay
www.oudaily.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The essay deserves a failing grade. It doesn’t tie to the assigned reading or engage its claims or evidence in any serious or sustained fashion; it just repeats the students’ pre-existing beliefs, and does so poorly. Even personal experience requires showing real engagement & no sign of that here.
This work has been a long time in the making and I’m excited that we all now have a chance to dig into it.
Congrats to my pal @bhighsmith.bsky.social and the entire research team. This is important work!
Congrats to my pal @bhighsmith.bsky.social and the entire research team. This is important work!
🚨We analyzed 138 million geocoded property tax records to quantify how municipal boundaries spatially overlap onto economic segregation in every US metro area—creating disparities in localities’ ability to fund public goods. And we made an interactive map of our results! [1/16]
November 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This work has been a long time in the making and I’m excited that we all now have a chance to dig into it.
Congrats to my pal @bhighsmith.bsky.social and the entire research team. This is important work!
Congrats to my pal @bhighsmith.bsky.social and the entire research team. This is important work!
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
Exciting new research that demonstrates how localities in the same metropolitan area have wildly varying tax bases—which go on to have a huge impact on the ability to provide services. Rich towns can collect more taxes, give themselves better services, and reinforce inequality.
🚨We analyzed 138 million geocoded property tax records to quantify how municipal boundaries spatially overlap onto economic segregation in every US metro area—creating disparities in localities’ ability to fund public goods. And we made an interactive map of our results! [1/16]
November 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Exciting new research that demonstrates how localities in the same metropolitan area have wildly varying tax bases—which go on to have a huge impact on the ability to provide services. Rich towns can collect more taxes, give themselves better services, and reinforce inequality.
First peer reviews of my book landed last wk. Now that I’ve sobered up from the excitement of knowing this project will have a great home, the real revisions begin. Another set of reviews is on the way. Feedback is a gift & the academy makes sure you get plenty! Excited to share this book w/ y’all!
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
First peer reviews of my book landed last wk. Now that I’ve sobered up from the excitement of knowing this project will have a great home, the real revisions begin. Another set of reviews is on the way. Feedback is a gift & the academy makes sure you get plenty! Excited to share this book w/ y’all!
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
I love the brilliance . . . on both sides of the trend: the makers and the scholars.😍
So, my pal @jinxungoh.bsky.social sent me a vid earlier abt the quarter-zip trend taking hold among young Black men on TikTok & across Gen Z more generally.
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
@Richdafifth life different when u gotta quarter zip #matcha #quarterzip #performative #niketech
TikTok video by Jason Gyamfi
www.tiktok.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:27 AM
I love the brilliance . . . on both sides of the trend: the makers and the scholars.😍
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
These are not the quarter-zips I was raised on.
So, my pal @jinxungoh.bsky.social sent me a vid earlier abt the quarter-zip trend taking hold among young Black men on TikTok & across Gen Z more generally.
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
@Richdafifth life different when u gotta quarter zip #matcha #quarterzip #performative #niketech
TikTok video by Jason Gyamfi
www.tiktok.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
These are not the quarter-zips I was raised on.
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
also just reminded of this great one with starbucks cup hahah
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vPg...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vPg...
Black Men Should Always Carry A Starbucks Cup.
YouTube video by godfreycomedian
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:47 PM
also just reminded of this great one with starbucks cup hahah
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vPg...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vPg...
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
"The best social science takes what folks already sense about the world and treats it with the theoretical and empirical seriousness it deserves." INDEED!
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
So, my pal @jinxungoh.bsky.social sent me a vid earlier abt the quarter-zip trend taking hold among young Black men on TikTok & across Gen Z more generally.
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
@Richdafifth life different when u gotta quarter zip #matcha #quarterzip #performative #niketech
TikTok video by Jason Gyamfi
www.tiktok.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
"The best social science takes what folks already sense about the world and treats it with the theoretical and empirical seriousness it deserves." INDEED!
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
And it's also why diversity within the scholarly community is so important. Some of us sense very different things about the world.
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
I saw a great talk by the author of this paper, and it exactly captures this sentiment of how we need to study what folks already do/ sense to manage their identities
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The effect of wearing college apparel on Black men's perceived criminality and perceived risk of being racially profiled by police
The current research examines whether a prejudice reduction strategy used by Black college students—signaling a college affiliation—mitigates the perc…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I saw a great talk by the author of this paper, and it exactly captures this sentiment of how we need to study what folks already do/ sense to manage their identities
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
This trend is sooo funny and also reminds me of the mid 2000’s when Jay Z started wearing button ups and blazers w/jeans.
“Business casual in the club” was a thing in the same way as quarter zips — using respectability via dress to avoid being targeted
“Business casual in the club” was a thing in the same way as quarter zips — using respectability via dress to avoid being targeted
So, my pal @jinxungoh.bsky.social sent me a vid earlier abt the quarter-zip trend taking hold among young Black men on TikTok & across Gen Z more generally.
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
@Richdafifth life different when u gotta quarter zip #matcha #quarterzip #performative #niketech
TikTok video by Jason Gyamfi
www.tiktok.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
This trend is sooo funny and also reminds me of the mid 2000’s when Jay Z started wearing button ups and blazers w/jeans.
“Business casual in the club” was a thing in the same way as quarter zips — using respectability via dress to avoid being targeted
“Business casual in the club” was a thing in the same way as quarter zips — using respectability via dress to avoid being targeted
So, my pal @jinxungoh.bsky.social sent me a vid earlier abt the quarter-zip trend taking hold among young Black men on TikTok & across Gen Z more generally.
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
@Richdafifth life different when u gotta quarter zip #matcha #quarterzip #performative #niketech
TikTok video by Jason Gyamfi
www.tiktok.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:21 PM
So, my pal @jinxungoh.bsky.social sent me a vid earlier abt the quarter-zip trend taking hold among young Black men on TikTok & across Gen Z more generally.
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Of course, I have a few quick thoughts (for whatever they're worth).
A brief thread. First, here's the TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@whois.jason...
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
If you're a professor at Texas A&M, you'll need to receive written authorization from the university president before discussing this incident on campus.
November 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
If you're a professor at Texas A&M, you'll need to receive written authorization from the university president before discussing this incident on campus.
Texas A&M Tightens Rules on Talking About Race and Gender in Classes www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
“The policy defines race ideology as, among other things, ‘a concept that attempts to shame a particular race or ethnicity.’”
These GOP-led efforts will ruin their states’ public universities. Sad!
“The policy defines race ideology as, among other things, ‘a concept that attempts to shame a particular race or ethnicity.’”
These GOP-led efforts will ruin their states’ public universities. Sad!
Texas A&M Tightens Rules on Talking About Race and Gender in Classes
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Texas A&M Tightens Rules on Talking About Race and Gender in Classes www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
“The policy defines race ideology as, among other things, ‘a concept that attempts to shame a particular race or ethnicity.’”
These GOP-led efforts will ruin their states’ public universities. Sad!
“The policy defines race ideology as, among other things, ‘a concept that attempts to shame a particular race or ethnicity.’”
These GOP-led efforts will ruin their states’ public universities. Sad!
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
Excellent write-up from my friends at @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social—my second home—on my article in @poqjournal.bsky.social that questions the validity of the canonical liberal–conservative measure for studying Black Americans’ political attitudes and behavior.
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
‘Black Conservatism’ and Familiarity with Ideological Concepts
CDDRL Research-in-Brief [4.5-minute read]
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu
November 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Excellent write-up from my friends at @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social—my second home—on my article in @poqjournal.bsky.social that questions the validity of the canonical liberal–conservative measure for studying Black Americans’ political attitudes and behavior.
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
Cowards gonna coward.
November 10, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Cowards gonna coward.
An excellent question.
The evidence shows pretty persuasively that many Black people don’t use these terms “liberal” or “conservative” in any context. They are terms that are simply not part of lots of people’s political or social lexicon.
The evidence shows pretty persuasively that many Black people don’t use these terms “liberal” or “conservative” in any context. They are terms that are simply not part of lots of people’s political or social lexicon.
Adding this to my required readings when I cover politics.
My question for Dr. Jefferson: Do you think that Black American culture has a different definition of conservative compared to the canonical one that influences the low correlations?
My question for Dr. Jefferson: Do you think that Black American culture has a different definition of conservative compared to the canonical one that influences the low correlations?
Excellent write-up from my friends at @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social—my second home—on my article in @poqjournal.bsky.social that questions the validity of the canonical liberal–conservative measure for studying Black Americans’ political attitudes and behavior.
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
November 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
An excellent question.
The evidence shows pretty persuasively that many Black people don’t use these terms “liberal” or “conservative” in any context. They are terms that are simply not part of lots of people’s political or social lexicon.
The evidence shows pretty persuasively that many Black people don’t use these terms “liberal” or “conservative” in any context. They are terms that are simply not part of lots of people’s political or social lexicon.
Excellent write-up from my friends at @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social—my second home—on my article in @poqjournal.bsky.social that questions the validity of the canonical liberal–conservative measure for studying Black Americans’ political attitudes and behavior.
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
‘Black Conservatism’ and Familiarity with Ideological Concepts
CDDRL Research-in-Brief [4.5-minute read]
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu
November 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Excellent write-up from my friends at @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social—my second home—on my article in @poqjournal.bsky.social that questions the validity of the canonical liberal–conservative measure for studying Black Americans’ political attitudes and behavior.
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/black-c...
Apropos of nothing, Mamdani is the antithesis of Van Jones, and that’s a very good thing.
November 5, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Apropos of nothing, Mamdani is the antithesis of Van Jones, and that’s a very good thing.
Reposted by Hakeem Jefferson
I have actually not seen Mamdani give a formal speech and what I’ll say is that unlike so many of his peers he is not trying to mimic anyone in his delivery. He is simply being himself and it is very effective.
I’ve been interested in political speeches for as long as I can remember. I’ve listened to nearly every inaugural and major address, and I’ve given tons of public speeches myself.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 AM
I have actually not seen Mamdani give a formal speech and what I’ll say is that unlike so many of his peers he is not trying to mimic anyone in his delivery. He is simply being himself and it is very effective.
I’ve been interested in political speeches for as long as I can remember. I’ve listened to nearly every inaugural and major address, and I’ve given tons of public speeches myself.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 AM
I’ve been interested in political speeches for as long as I can remember. I’ve listened to nearly every inaugural and major address, and I’ve given tons of public speeches myself.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
@hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social is on @cnn.com congratulating Dems—without mentioning @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social until pressed.
As a colleague said today, those opposing this president’s anti-democratic moves should also protest an “opposition” that refuses to be a real opposition party.
I agree.
As a colleague said today, those opposing this president’s anti-democratic moves should also protest an “opposition” that refuses to be a real opposition party.
I agree.
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 AM
@hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social is on @cnn.com congratulating Dems—without mentioning @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social until pressed.
As a colleague said today, those opposing this president’s anti-democratic moves should also protest an “opposition” that refuses to be a real opposition party.
I agree.
As a colleague said today, those opposing this president’s anti-democratic moves should also protest an “opposition” that refuses to be a real opposition party.
I agree.
It’s ok to be inspired—even, or especially, when shit’s this crazy out there. Let me be clear: I’m not obsessed with optimism, nor do I think it always works out.
But we should be wary of those who tell us to rid ourselves of hope.
The opposite of hope for the enslaved is enslavement, after all.
But we should be wary of those who tell us to rid ourselves of hope.
The opposite of hope for the enslaved is enslavement, after all.
November 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
It’s ok to be inspired—even, or especially, when shit’s this crazy out there. Let me be clear: I’m not obsessed with optimism, nor do I think it always works out.
But we should be wary of those who tell us to rid ourselves of hope.
The opposite of hope for the enslaved is enslavement, after all.
But we should be wary of those who tell us to rid ourselves of hope.
The opposite of hope for the enslaved is enslavement, after all.
Tomorrow is Democracy Day at Stanford.
If folks are around campus tomorrow, I’ll be on a panel with colleagues from 3-415 pm at Meyer Green:
“Democracy Under Threat at Home and Abroad”
Join us if you’re around! Should be a nice day out!
If folks are around campus tomorrow, I’ll be on a panel with colleagues from 3-415 pm at Meyer Green:
“Democracy Under Threat at Home and Abroad”
Join us if you’re around! Should be a nice day out!
November 3, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Tomorrow is Democracy Day at Stanford.
If folks are around campus tomorrow, I’ll be on a panel with colleagues from 3-415 pm at Meyer Green:
“Democracy Under Threat at Home and Abroad”
Join us if you’re around! Should be a nice day out!
If folks are around campus tomorrow, I’ll be on a panel with colleagues from 3-415 pm at Meyer Green:
“Democracy Under Threat at Home and Abroad”
Join us if you’re around! Should be a nice day out!