Liz Matsushita
@lamats.bsky.social
Historian of North Africa and the Middle East, interested in music, culture, (post)colonialism, race, the desert 🌵 Californian millennial Yonsei in Oregon 🌲
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Published my first piece at @wired.com today, about a string of AI thrillers that have bombed (most recent being the hopelessly naive Chris Pratt vehicle 'Mercy'), the backlash to Darren Aronofsky's YouTube slop take on the American Revolution, and a grotesque nostalgia-bait Super Bowl ad:
Hollywood Is Losing Audiences to AI Fatigue
Entertainment about or made with artificial intelligence has been missing the mark with viewers over the past year.
www.wired.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Published my first piece at @wired.com today, about a string of AI thrillers that have bombed (most recent being the hopelessly naive Chris Pratt vehicle 'Mercy'), the backlash to Darren Aronofsky's YouTube slop take on the American Revolution, and a grotesque nostalgia-bait Super Bowl ad:
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Portland City Council member
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Portland City Council member
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Not just any journalist, she won the goddamn Triple Crown of broadcast journalism (an Emmy, a Peabody, and a Murrow) in 2024 for her reporting on Gaza.
This is textbook censorship of the highest degree
This is textbook censorship of the highest degree
Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda with 1.4m followers reports TikTok ban https://aje.news/ljjuww
January 29, 2026 at 4:33 AM
Not just any journalist, she won the goddamn Triple Crown of broadcast journalism (an Emmy, a Peabody, and a Murrow) in 2024 for her reporting on Gaza.
This is textbook censorship of the highest degree
This is textbook censorship of the highest degree
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
The Democrats cannot even bring themselves to talk about reducing the ICE budget (which was TRIPLED out of the blue and no one knows how exactly such sums could ever be spent even on the vast network of concentration camps and private contractors) to, say, its already-record 2024 levels.
January 26, 2026 at 6:03 AM
The Democrats cannot even bring themselves to talk about reducing the ICE budget (which was TRIPLED out of the blue and no one knows how exactly such sums could ever be spent even on the vast network of concentration camps and private contractors) to, say, its already-record 2024 levels.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Court order. didn't save. toddler.
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 24, 2026
January 24, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Court order. didn't save. toddler.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
The political ground is shifting on ICE. Your own Dem rep or senator may not have caught up yet. Now - before the 1/30 funding deadline - is the time to push.
Arizona’s @gallego.senate.gov : "I think ICE needs to be totally torn down… People want immigration enforcement that goes after criminals, not the goon squad that has come from Stephen Miller and Trump."
January 18, 2026 at 7:55 PM
The political ground is shifting on ICE. Your own Dem rep or senator may not have caught up yet. Now - before the 1/30 funding deadline - is the time to push.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
I find it necessary these days to affirm the obvious because the descent into fascism is mostly a continuous, not discrete, process so here it goes:
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
It’s been reported locally, but I’m not sure how much national notice this has gotten. As part of this invasion by shithead goons, they are putting ICE agents in jetbridges and other parts of the airport at Minneapolis-Saint Paul. If you are flying Delta via MSP, you are putting yourself at risk.
ICE agents to begin checking documents at MSP airport, patrol jet bridges - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will begin checking documents of travelers and workers at MSP airport, with patrols inside jet bridges.
www.bizjournals.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:29 PM
I find it necessary these days to affirm the obvious because the descent into fascism is mostly a continuous, not discrete, process so here it goes:
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Democrats are simultaneously beginning to refer to ICE and CBP agents as "poorly trained."
This message comes from leadership. They're trying to use it as a substitute for dismantling ICE and CBP and imprisoning their current employees. Don't fall for it; don't take any Dem seriously who uses it.
This message comes from leadership. They're trying to use it as a substitute for dismantling ICE and CBP and imprisoning their current employees. Don't fall for it; don't take any Dem seriously who uses it.
January 13, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Democrats are simultaneously beginning to refer to ICE and CBP agents as "poorly trained."
This message comes from leadership. They're trying to use it as a substitute for dismantling ICE and CBP and imprisoning their current employees. Don't fall for it; don't take any Dem seriously who uses it.
This message comes from leadership. They're trying to use it as a substitute for dismantling ICE and CBP and imprisoning their current employees. Don't fall for it; don't take any Dem seriously who uses it.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
42% for abolish ICE without an iota of mainstream elected Democratic buy in, this could be over 60% if they tried even a little.
YouGov poll - In the future, would you support or oppose...
Eliminating ICE as a federal agency?
Support 42%
Oppose 45%
Reducing ICE’s size and funding
Support 48%
Oppose 37%
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
Eliminating ICE as a federal agency?
Support 42%
Oppose 45%
Reducing ICE’s size and funding
Support 48%
Oppose 37%
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
January 12, 2026 at 11:38 PM
42% for abolish ICE without an iota of mainstream elected Democratic buy in, this could be over 60% if they tried even a little.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
semi-regular reminder that ICE was only created in 2003
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
January 12, 2026 at 8:04 PM
semi-regular reminder that ICE was only created in 2003
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
We literally don’t need ICE for anything
January 11, 2026 at 7:22 PM
We literally don’t need ICE for anything
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
they didn’t leak it to make the shooter look innocent, but to make the victim look guilty. not guilty of a crime. guilty of having a visibly queer wife. guilty of liberalism. guilty of opposing the regime. they don’t seek to exonerate themselves, only to demonstrate who deserves to die.
In the video that the shooter took, which I believe was leaked to be exculpatory, he appears to yell “fucking bitch” after he shoots Renee Good.
January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
they didn’t leak it to make the shooter look innocent, but to make the victim look guilty. not guilty of a crime. guilty of having a visibly queer wife. guilty of liberalism. guilty of opposing the regime. they don’t seek to exonerate themselves, only to demonstrate who deserves to die.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
The New York Times has just confirmed that 40 civilians died in President Trump's invasion.
This is the aftermath in one area
This is the aftermath in one area
January 4, 2026 at 3:56 AM
The New York Times has just confirmed that 40 civilians died in President Trump's invasion.
This is the aftermath in one area
This is the aftermath in one area
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Greg provides a brilliant response to @rweingarten.bsky.social's inexplicable defense of classroom AI -- and he wrote every word of it himself.
The article you’re sharing touts a teacher making students use “A.i.” to design ugly sweaters. That’s a repugnant use of tech based on theft to rob kids of the chance to use their own minds and hands to actually draw. Do you support that attack on human creativity?
December 24, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Greg provides a brilliant response to @rweingarten.bsky.social's inexplicable defense of classroom AI -- and he wrote every word of it himself.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
support independent media. idk what else to say right now.
December 22, 2025 at 3:24 AM
support independent media. idk what else to say right now.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
yall this is so, so funny to me 😂
December 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM
yall this is so, so funny to me 😂
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom
December 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Looks like it’s time to re-up this thread on the fascist genealogy of the seemingly pablum term “Americanism.”
November 29, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Looks like it’s time to re-up this thread on the fascist genealogy of the seemingly pablum term “Americanism.”
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
We don’t need to reform ICE.
We don’t need alternatives to ICE.
We don’t need to engage in dishonest debates wondering what the U.S. would do without ICE.
ICE isn’t even 23 years old. Most adults know a world without ICE. And the billions used to fund ICE can be used to meet people’s basic needs.
We don’t need alternatives to ICE.
We don’t need to engage in dishonest debates wondering what the U.S. would do without ICE.
ICE isn’t even 23 years old. Most adults know a world without ICE. And the billions used to fund ICE can be used to meet people’s basic needs.
November 18, 2025 at 11:40 PM
We don’t need to reform ICE.
We don’t need alternatives to ICE.
We don’t need to engage in dishonest debates wondering what the U.S. would do without ICE.
ICE isn’t even 23 years old. Most adults know a world without ICE. And the billions used to fund ICE can be used to meet people’s basic needs.
We don’t need alternatives to ICE.
We don’t need to engage in dishonest debates wondering what the U.S. would do without ICE.
ICE isn’t even 23 years old. Most adults know a world without ICE. And the billions used to fund ICE can be used to meet people’s basic needs.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Omar El Akkad has won the National Book Award. During his remarks, he said, "It’s difficult to think in celebratory terms when I spent two years seeing what shrapnel does to a child’s body. It is difficult to think in celebratory terms when I know that my tax money is doing this."
November 20, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Omar El Akkad has won the National Book Award. During his remarks, he said, "It’s difficult to think in celebratory terms when I spent two years seeing what shrapnel does to a child’s body. It is difficult to think in celebratory terms when I know that my tax money is doing this."
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Nuremburg trials is the moderate position
He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Nuremburg trials is the moderate position
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
Let’s be clear, most EBT users are white. The reason he’s specifically lying about “weaves” and we’ve seen so many AI fakes of Black women ranting about food stamps is they need to make BW the face EBT because they know many Americans don’t care if Black people suffer, and some actually wish for it.
ROB SCHMITT: People are using SNAP benefits to get their nails done, to get their weaves and their hair. This is a really ugly program.
SEN. RON JOHNSON: That program needs to be dramatically reformed.
SEN. RON JOHNSON: That program needs to be dramatically reformed.
November 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Let’s be clear, most EBT users are white. The reason he’s specifically lying about “weaves” and we’ve seen so many AI fakes of Black women ranting about food stamps is they need to make BW the face EBT because they know many Americans don’t care if Black people suffer, and some actually wish for it.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
The owner gave an update in Heretic’s IG stories that they will continue the free breakfast plan even after SNAP benefits are reinstated thanks to the public’s generosity.
He is also working with @equitablegiving.bsky.social to figure out how to best use these funds in the PDX community.
He is also working with @equitablegiving.bsky.social to figure out how to best use these funds in the PDX community.
October 30, 2025 at 1:50 AM
The owner gave an update in Heretic’s IG stories that they will continue the free breakfast plan even after SNAP benefits are reinstated thanks to the public’s generosity.
He is also working with @equitablegiving.bsky.social to figure out how to best use these funds in the PDX community.
He is also working with @equitablegiving.bsky.social to figure out how to best use these funds in the PDX community.
Reposted by Liz Matsushita
This is a remarkable claim. I think I can speak for historians as a group when I say that even those who take a top-down approach welcome with open arms scholarship that incorporates the perspectives of marginalized groups. How in the world is it "feckless" to seek to incorporate such voices?/12
October 29, 2025 at 1:38 PM
This is a remarkable claim. I think I can speak for historians as a group when I say that even those who take a top-down approach welcome with open arms scholarship that incorporates the perspectives of marginalized groups. How in the world is it "feckless" to seek to incorporate such voices?/12