Jane French
@janefrench.bsky.social
Writer, caregiver, advocate for low-income older adults.
Reposted by Jane French
After this, federal agents tear gassed the public on their way out of Elgin, per our photographer who was present. The Feds tear gassed eight Chicago neighborhoods this fall and now a suburb.
In Elgin, ICE agents have been in a standoff with the community as they’re trying to arrest a man. Here’s an altercation between the feds and residents ending with arrest and pepper spray. Video from Sophia Peterson
December 6, 2025 at 9:45 PM
After this, federal agents tear gassed the public on their way out of Elgin, per our photographer who was present. The Feds tear gassed eight Chicago neighborhoods this fall and now a suburb.
Reposted by Jane French
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Reposted by Jane French
When GOP senators flew with Joseph McCarthy's body back to Wisconsin for burial, they used the casket as a table top for a poker game. Once you are no longer useful, you are out.
September 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
When GOP senators flew with Joseph McCarthy's body back to Wisconsin for burial, they used the casket as a table top for a poker game. Once you are no longer useful, you are out.
Reposted by Jane French
If you're lucky, you have no idea just how insanely expensive it is to be poor.
It's wild how many messages I've received from people in the UK who have suffered through the same realities documented in my book.
The dramatic rise of the "working homeless" — driven by soaring rents, precarious jobs, and weak tenant protections — isn't just an American phenomenon.
The dramatic rise of the "working homeless" — driven by soaring rents, precarious jobs, and weak tenant protections — isn't just an American phenomenon.
I work two jobs in Birmingham - my colleagues do not know I am homeless
Maureen became homeless twice, for different reasons, but has held always held down a job. She has shared her story with BirminghamLive as part of our investigation into homelessness
www.birminghammail.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
If you're lucky, you have no idea just how insanely expensive it is to be poor.
Reposted by Jane French
In "The Public Enemy" from 1931 starring James Cagney, a gangster is shot to death by a rival gang. While discussing the hit, one of his fellow gangsters says, "He knows all the secrets now." I say this when hearing of a death, familial or not.
What's the most random/obscure thing you quote?
In "The Stand' by Stephen King (complete/uncut ed iirc), a character called The Kid would sometimes say "how do you like that happy crappy?" and I often say that to myself/out loud for various reasons lol.
In "The Stand' by Stephen King (complete/uncut ed iirc), a character called The Kid would sometimes say "how do you like that happy crappy?" and I often say that to myself/out loud for various reasons lol.
July 12, 2025 at 5:16 PM
In "The Public Enemy" from 1931 starring James Cagney, a gangster is shot to death by a rival gang. While discussing the hit, one of his fellow gangsters says, "He knows all the secrets now." I say this when hearing of a death, familial or not.
Reposted by Jane French
This: "You're allowed to write without the intention of publishing."
I swear. Writing is the only discipline where we make people feel like failures for practising. How many songs does a violinist learn that never wind up in recital? How many studies do painters do? Acting exercises. Tennis for fun.
You're allowed to write without the intention of publishing.
You're allowed to write without the intention of publishing.
I wrote seven novels before Someone You Can Build A Nest In. I didn't just throw away drafts. There are some eras of my life and spirit that will go unpublished.
And that's okay, because they helped me become the writer I am. They weren't failure. They were education.
And that's okay, because they helped me become the writer I am. They weren't failure. They were education.
March 26, 2025 at 9:13 PM
This: "You're allowed to write without the intention of publishing."
Mail delivery to every address is existential. This:
since we're doing USPS discourse again, a reminder of what Dems should be saying
"the USPS is a miracle. it's in the constitution. for the price of a single stamp you can send a letter across the country, from Hawaii to Maine. Trump is trying to take that away from you. He's attacking Christmas cards and wedding invitations. It's un-American and it has to stop."
December 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Mail delivery to every address is existential. This:
Holy hell, this headline (while great) doesn't fully capture the unmitigated disaster they are reporting.
December 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Holy hell, this headline (while great) doesn't fully capture the unmitigated disaster they are reporting.
Reposted by Jane French
We know everyone is asking for your money this month, but here's a twist: We're NOT asking you to donate in December, we're asking you to spread the word.
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
December 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
We know everyone is asking for your money this month, but here's a twist: We're NOT asking you to donate in December, we're asking you to spread the word.
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
Reposted by Jane French
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed disastrous cuts to our city's libraries while setting aside $5M for a ShotSpotter replacement. As library associate Sara Heymann told me, “Libraries embody everything we need to fight back against fascism.” My piece on what’s at stake and how to fight back:
You Can’t Fight Fascism While Defunding Libraries
“Libraries embody everything that we need right now to fight back against fascism," says Sara Heymann.
organizingmythoughts.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed disastrous cuts to our city's libraries while setting aside $5M for a ShotSpotter replacement. As library associate Sara Heymann told me, “Libraries embody everything we need to fight back against fascism.” My piece on what’s at stake and how to fight back:
Reposted by Jane French
Hey, can my deleted BlueSky post get re-posted?
December 3, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Hey, can my deleted BlueSky post get re-posted?
I stopped my morning scrolling to read this. Time well spent.
“In death, all things are possible. It’s up to each of us to decide.” Hannah Kauders meditates on grief, translation, and Fátima Vélez’s Galápagos.
Hannah Kauders on Grief, Translation, and Fátima Vélez’s Galápagos
The week after my father died of cancer, I was told I could pay to send his ashes to outer space. The funeral director stood opposite me and my mother, clicking through the details on a PowerPoint.…
buff.ly
December 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I stopped my morning scrolling to read this. Time well spent.
Reposted by Jane French
It's Giving Tuesday. Looking for something good to support? Here's a list of independent publications, nonprofit newsrooms, and other projects that are worth kicking a few bucks to. 🧵
December 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
It's Giving Tuesday. Looking for something good to support? Here's a list of independent publications, nonprofit newsrooms, and other projects that are worth kicking a few bucks to. 🧵
I sort of feel bad laughing so hard, but a joke must have an element of truth in order to work and this works:
"a culture that we are known for here in the United States"
Assholes.
She's talking about assholes.
Assholes.
She's talking about assholes.
Rep. Kat Cammarck: "Today, one in six people in the US is foreign born. That quite frankly is not sustainable to maintain a culture that we are known for here in the United States."
December 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I sort of feel bad laughing so hard, but a joke must have an element of truth in order to work and this works:
Reposted by Jane French
For those who prefer or rely on text, the full transcript of the interview is available here (reposting with correct link):
Millions of full-time workers are struggling to afford a place to live. Here’s why
The skyrocketing cost of living has left millions of people struggling to afford a place to live despite working at full-time jobs or a number of part-time jobs. Journalist Brian Goldstone, author of ...
www.pbs.org
December 1, 2025 at 4:20 PM
For those who prefer or rely on text, the full transcript of the interview is available here (reposting with correct link):
Reposted by Jane French
Here's Part 2 of my interview with @pbsnews.org, where we talk about the "toxic stress" homeless families are subjected to—and the multiple systems, from housing to healthcare to wages and childcare, that have produced this disaster.
December 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Here's Part 2 of my interview with @pbsnews.org, where we talk about the "toxic stress" homeless families are subjected to—and the multiple systems, from housing to healthcare to wages and childcare, that have produced this disaster.
Reposted by Jane French
Homelessness in the U.S. is far more pervasive than the official figures suggest: roughly four million people are without housing right now.
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
December 1, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Homelessness in the U.S. is far more pervasive than the official figures suggest: roughly four million people are without housing right now.
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
Many are part of the low-wage labor force, powering the very economy that has abandoned them.
I spoke with PBS News about this devastating reality (Part 1):
Reposted by Jane French
You can take the boy out of Southside Chicago, but you can't take ...
The Pope has a word with the man in 27E who is listening to an action movie on his iPad's speakers.
November 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
You can take the boy out of Southside Chicago, but you can't take ...
Reposted by Jane French
From now to the end of the year we’re offering 15% off anything we’ve got with code MALARKEY. Will post book links below but this is a great opportunity to join the book club even cheaper. A year of book mail for $120 but with the discount it’s $102.
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
2026 Book Club — Malarkey
Buy a year’s worth of books and zines with the Malarkey Book Club. In 2026 you’ll get copies of: The Walls Are Closing In On Us , a novel by Joshua Trent Brown Terrestrial , a novella by Suzy...
malarkeybooks.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 PM
From now to the end of the year we’re offering 15% off anything we’ve got with code MALARKEY. Will post book links below but this is a great opportunity to join the book club even cheaper. A year of book mail for $120 but with the discount it’s $102.
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
Reposted by Jane French
King Ludd’s Rag No. 25 is now available. Edited by @zacharykocanda.bsky.social, this one features new fiction from Jacob Stovall and T.L. Xue.
malarkeybooks.com/store/klr25
malarkeybooks.com/store/klr25
King Ludd's Rag No. 25 — Malarkey
The twenty-fifth issue of King Ludd’s Rag features stories by Jacob Stovall and T. L. Xue. The cover will print in black and white.
malarkeybooks.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
King Ludd’s Rag No. 25 is now available. Edited by @zacharykocanda.bsky.social, this one features new fiction from Jacob Stovall and T.L. Xue.
malarkeybooks.com/store/klr25
malarkeybooks.com/store/klr25
Reposted by Jane French
Sending gratitude to all my fellow carers. At least for a day, please try to set aside the self-doubts; focus on all that you are accomplishing for those you love and who love you in return, even when they cannot find the words.
#Thanksgiving #gratitude #Alzheimers #dementia #mentalhealth
#Thanksgiving #gratitude #Alzheimers #dementia #mentalhealth
November 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Sending gratitude to all my fellow carers. At least for a day, please try to set aside the self-doubts; focus on all that you are accomplishing for those you love and who love you in return, even when they cannot find the words.
#Thanksgiving #gratitude #Alzheimers #dementia #mentalhealth
#Thanksgiving #gratitude #Alzheimers #dementia #mentalhealth
To all the caregivers this Thanksgiving Day, esp those caring for someone with dementia (iykyk), I send warm fuzzies.
November 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
To all the caregivers this Thanksgiving Day, esp those caring for someone with dementia (iykyk), I send warm fuzzies.
Paywalled, but the headline tells it like it is: "After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?" Re-upping my take: A woman hasn't been raped until a man says she's been raped. Practically any man will do. Has to be a man, though. Women don't count.
If we’re going to become a nation that truly protects children, that truly values women, that truly protects its citizens from harm, we have to stop giving a pass to sexual abusers, writes Heidi Stevens.
Heidi Stevens: After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?
If we’re going to become a nation that truly protects children and women, we have to stop giving a pass to sexual abusers, writes Heidi Stevens.
trib.al
November 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Paywalled, but the headline tells it like it is: "After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?" Re-upping my take: A woman hasn't been raped until a man says she's been raped. Practically any man will do. Has to be a man, though. Women don't count.
Reposted by Jane French
got a teeny tiny perfect miiiiiiicro for you all today from Catherine Rockwood!!
https://www.havehashad.com/6wpxk
https://www.havehashad.com/6wpxk
November 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
got a teeny tiny perfect miiiiiiicro for you all today from Catherine Rockwood!!
https://www.havehashad.com/6wpxk
https://www.havehashad.com/6wpxk