Joanna Hastings
@joannahastings.bsky.social
Writer, editor, lover of dreams and folktales. BLM. Trans Rights. Women's Rights. Refugee Rights. Human Rights. Green Party member. We're all just walking each other home.
She/her
She/her
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
Dec. 5, 1925: Langston Hughes at work as a waiter at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. At around this time he comes across the poet Vachel Lindsay at the hotel and shows him some of his own poetry, an encounter that will lead to Hughes being published.
December 5, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Dec. 5, 1925: Langston Hughes at work as a waiter at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. At around this time he comes across the poet Vachel Lindsay at the hotel and shows him some of his own poetry, an encounter that will lead to Hughes being published.
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
A really important read. It’s time those who seek to lead Wales next May were forced out into the open.
We have written a special report looking at the people behind Reform in Wales.
This was a bizarre piece to write.
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/special-re...
This was a bizarre piece to write.
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/special-re...
Special report: Who are Reform in Wales?
We dived into the wild world of Reform UK in Cymru
willhaywardwales.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A really important read. It’s time those who seek to lead Wales next May were forced out into the open.
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
Stunning picture.
Corner Clothes Shop with Mary Quant advert, photo by Middlesbrough photographer Graham Smith (b.1947).
December 7, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Stunning picture.
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
A very important thread. When I was probably no more than 10, I saw this picture of the woman known as Harlow in the Philly Inquirer. A little babygay, I was shocked that such a glamour queen could live in my hometown and even more shocked to see her described as "a former man."
December 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A very important thread. When I was probably no more than 10, I saw this picture of the woman known as Harlow in the Philly Inquirer. A little babygay, I was shocked that such a glamour queen could live in my hometown and even more shocked to see her described as "a former man."
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
Louise Glück ♥️
“I speak / because I am shattered.”
Always revisiting this poem.
“I speak / because I am shattered.”
Always revisiting this poem.
December 6, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Louise Glück ♥️
“I speak / because I am shattered.”
Always revisiting this poem.
“I speak / because I am shattered.”
Always revisiting this poem.
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
"12.39pm. Lots of people are buying fresh fruit today, which is good to see, but not many people are buying books. At least books don’t spoil after a few days, with the exception of Edgelands by Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts."
longbarrowpress.substack.com/p/ships-log
longbarrowpress.substack.com/p/ships-log
December 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
"12.39pm. Lots of people are buying fresh fruit today, which is good to see, but not many people are buying books. At least books don’t spoil after a few days, with the exception of Edgelands by Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts."
longbarrowpress.substack.com/p/ships-log
longbarrowpress.substack.com/p/ships-log
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
This is what tangible positive interaction looks like, in a way that's good for all the children. Hurrah for #Bradford, and hurrah for treating people like people. May it continue, spread, blossom and bring them lasting joy. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Empathy that lasts a lifetime’: charity bridges gap between Bradford schools
Pupils from schools with differing demographics meet and play under charity scheme set up after city’s 2001 riots
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:33 AM
This is what tangible positive interaction looks like, in a way that's good for all the children. Hurrah for #Bradford, and hurrah for treating people like people. May it continue, spread, blossom and bring them lasting joy. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
The hunger strikes are not being televised. open.substack.com/pub/jonathan...
Listen: The hunger strike is not being televised – nor will the last gasps of our dying freedoms
Read by Matthew Alford
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The hunger strikes are not being televised. open.substack.com/pub/jonathan...
Wow, Zia Yusuf is a nasty piece of work. He had hurt feelings at the end there, though, enough to be thoroughly rude to his audience because they didn't like what he was saying. #bbcqt
December 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Wow, Zia Yusuf is a nasty piece of work. He had hurt feelings at the end there, though, enough to be thoroughly rude to his audience because they didn't like what he was saying. #bbcqt
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
"I don't want to know how I write poetry. Poetry is dangerous: talking too much about it, like naming your gods, brings bad luck... you may improve your so-called technique, but only at the expense of your so-called soul." Margaret Atwood
December 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"I don't want to know how I write poetry. Poetry is dangerous: talking too much about it, like naming your gods, brings bad luck... you may improve your so-called technique, but only at the expense of your so-called soul." Margaret Atwood
See? It's not just me.
Wes Streeting is one of the worst people to be made a Minister in my lifetime.
He has a lot of stiff competition, obviously, I lived through Thatcher's government and every UK government since, but he is right up there with the worst of the worst.
He has a lot of stiff competition, obviously, I lived through Thatcher's government and every UK government since, but he is right up there with the worst of the worst.
December 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
See? It's not just me.
I love this more than I can say. Mis palabras gang oot the door.
What do you do when the sun forgets to come out
in the longest darkness of winter months?
Bueno I go out into the frosted forest
all things twinkling with ice like tiny eyes with a lust for life…
—Juana Adcock, “What do you do…”
SPLIT (Blue Diode, 2019)
#poetry
www.bluediode.co.uk/product-page...
in the longest darkness of winter months?
Bueno I go out into the frosted forest
all things twinkling with ice like tiny eyes with a lust for life…
—Juana Adcock, “What do you do…”
SPLIT (Blue Diode, 2019)
#poetry
www.bluediode.co.uk/product-page...
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I love this more than I can say. Mis palabras gang oot the door.
Someone recently called Zack Polanski an 'opportunist.'
Let me introduce you to some opportunists:
Johnson. Truss. Sunak. Starmer. Streeting. Farage. Gill. Tice. Yusuf.
ZP's Green Party is a force to be reckoned with. That's not opportunism, it's skill, courage, conviction, work & care.
Join GP🌱👇
Let me introduce you to some opportunists:
Johnson. Truss. Sunak. Starmer. Streeting. Farage. Gill. Tice. Yusuf.
ZP's Green Party is a force to be reckoned with. That's not opportunism, it's skill, courage, conviction, work & care.
Join GP🌱👇
The Labour Government refused a 1% asset tax on the super rich, yet raised taxes on people already struggling.
All whilst their "black hole" turned out to be utter nonsense.
Active choices to refuse to fund our communities which they desperately need.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
All whilst their "black hole" turned out to be utter nonsense.
Active choices to refuse to fund our communities which they desperately need.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Join the Green Party
Join the Green Party from just £6 a year. Become a member today - join the only party standing up for people and planet.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Someone recently called Zack Polanski an 'opportunist.'
Let me introduce you to some opportunists:
Johnson. Truss. Sunak. Starmer. Streeting. Farage. Gill. Tice. Yusuf.
ZP's Green Party is a force to be reckoned with. That's not opportunism, it's skill, courage, conviction, work & care.
Join GP🌱👇
Let me introduce you to some opportunists:
Johnson. Truss. Sunak. Starmer. Streeting. Farage. Gill. Tice. Yusuf.
ZP's Green Party is a force to be reckoned with. That's not opportunism, it's skill, courage, conviction, work & care.
Join GP🌱👇
Just as Trump has rebranded the US Department of Defence as the Department of War, Wes Streeting should come clean about his position as Secretary of State for Suffering and Social Oppression.
I'm so tired of Wes Streeting waving his 'I am a monster' flag.
The response to a sharp increase of mental (or any) health problems ought to be to scrutinise the source of those problems. Identify root causes. Improve things. Don't gaslight the victims. Such bs.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The response to a sharp increase of mental (or any) health problems ought to be to scrutinise the source of those problems. Identify root causes. Improve things. Don't gaslight the victims. Such bs.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Wes Streeting orders review of mental health diagnoses as benefit claims soar
Health secretary has asked experts to investigate whether normal feelings have become ‘over-pathologised’
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Just as Trump has rebranded the US Department of Defence as the Department of War, Wes Streeting should come clean about his position as Secretary of State for Suffering and Social Oppression.
I'm so tired of Wes Streeting waving his 'I am a monster' flag.
The response to a sharp increase of mental (or any) health problems ought to be to scrutinise the source of those problems. Identify root causes. Improve things. Don't gaslight the victims. Such bs.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The response to a sharp increase of mental (or any) health problems ought to be to scrutinise the source of those problems. Identify root causes. Improve things. Don't gaslight the victims. Such bs.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Wes Streeting orders review of mental health diagnoses as benefit claims soar
Health secretary has asked experts to investigate whether normal feelings have become ‘over-pathologised’
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I'm so tired of Wes Streeting waving his 'I am a monster' flag.
The response to a sharp increase of mental (or any) health problems ought to be to scrutinise the source of those problems. Identify root causes. Improve things. Don't gaslight the victims. Such bs.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The response to a sharp increase of mental (or any) health problems ought to be to scrutinise the source of those problems. Identify root causes. Improve things. Don't gaslight the victims. Such bs.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
Amu Gib is extremely frail
For 10 days the prison refused to acknowledge she was on hunger strike
Another prisoner, Qesser (20), has dangerously low BP + high heart rate, blocked from hospital care
They're political prisoners held without trial
They must be bailed and proper medical treatment 🇵🇸
For 10 days the prison refused to acknowledge she was on hunger strike
Another prisoner, Qesser (20), has dangerously low BP + high heart rate, blocked from hospital care
They're political prisoners held without trial
They must be bailed and proper medical treatment 🇵🇸
December 3, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Amu Gib is extremely frail
For 10 days the prison refused to acknowledge she was on hunger strike
Another prisoner, Qesser (20), has dangerously low BP + high heart rate, blocked from hospital care
They're political prisoners held without trial
They must be bailed and proper medical treatment 🇵🇸
For 10 days the prison refused to acknowledge she was on hunger strike
Another prisoner, Qesser (20), has dangerously low BP + high heart rate, blocked from hospital care
They're political prisoners held without trial
They must be bailed and proper medical treatment 🇵🇸
This is a long read! But very interesting and it's good to see a sane process in action. Highlights in thread/comments.
BREAKING: Employee who demand a trans-exclusive toilet policy loses employment tribunal. All claims, direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and 1992 Regs, dismissed.
Judgment: www.gov.uk/employment-t...
Judgment: www.gov.uk/employment-t...
B M Kelly v Leonardo UK Ltd: 8001497/2024
Employment Tribunal decision.
www.gov.uk
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM
This is a long read! But very interesting and it's good to see a sane process in action. Highlights in thread/comments.
🧵
When an organisation gets those letters claiming that Transphobia “is the law of the land” you can just reply with the polite version of this meme:
December 3, 2025 at 11:01 PM
🧵
This sounds like heaven. Looks like heaven too.
Yearning for space to create and shape your #writing project? ✍️ Whether you’re at the idea stage or revising a complete draft, join me for a six-day #writingretreat in the #Alps 🚠, and connect with like-minded #writers in a stimulating and supportive environment. valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri...
December 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
This sounds like heaven. Looks like heaven too.
I didn't really get past 'What's the point of Keir Starmer' first time I read this.
What’s the point of Keir Starmer employing an economics advisor if he ignores her on the biggest economic issue of the day?
December 3, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I didn't really get past 'What's the point of Keir Starmer' first time I read this.
Browsing UK Oxfam shop poetry online and dear god, why do people let me do this? There should be a law.
I'm looking for Deborah Digges. No luck. She's impossible to find––new, second hand, written on napkins, graffiti-ed on walls––she's nowhere.
Finding other things obvs. 📚📚📚 Please make me stop.
I'm looking for Deborah Digges. No luck. She's impossible to find––new, second hand, written on napkins, graffiti-ed on walls––she's nowhere.
Finding other things obvs. 📚📚📚 Please make me stop.
December 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Browsing UK Oxfam shop poetry online and dear god, why do people let me do this? There should be a law.
I'm looking for Deborah Digges. No luck. She's impossible to find––new, second hand, written on napkins, graffiti-ed on walls––she's nowhere.
Finding other things obvs. 📚📚📚 Please make me stop.
I'm looking for Deborah Digges. No luck. She's impossible to find––new, second hand, written on napkins, graffiti-ed on walls––she's nowhere.
Finding other things obvs. 📚📚📚 Please make me stop.
#Sheffield peeps, if you didn't know already - Kevin Sinfield will be running his marathon through Sheffield tomorrow. If you'd like to help him raise money for MND, this is the link: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/...
@helpsheffield.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@helpsheffield.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
#Sheffield peeps, if you didn't know already - Kevin Sinfield will be running his marathon through Sheffield tomorrow. If you'd like to help him raise money for MND, this is the link: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/...
@helpsheffield.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@helpsheffield.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
50 seats is just the beginning - but the Green Party needs funds to make this happen and billionaire lobbyist bribes aren't welcome here. So it's up to us. Pitch in a few quid and help the power of hope and justice grow. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hopeishere
December 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
50 seats is just the beginning - but the Green Party needs funds to make this happen and billionaire lobbyist bribes aren't welcome here. So it's up to us. Pitch in a few quid and help the power of hope and justice grow. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hopeishere
Reposted by Joanna Hastings
I, for one, am not having anything to do with charities and organisations that claim to be serving girls and/or women but exclude trans women.
December 3, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I, for one, am not having anything to do with charities and organisations that claim to be serving girls and/or women but exclude trans women.