Melissa Johnson
@meljohn.bsky.social
Professor of Anthropology, Environmental Studies and Race and Ethnicity Studies at Southwestern University.
Becoming Creole: Nature and Race in Belize
Becoming Creole: Nature and Race in Belize
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
“The three hundred largest yachts in the world emit as much carbon dioxide as the ten million inhabitants of Burundi.”
Burned by Billionaires: How Concentrated Wealth and Power Are Ruining Our Lives and Planet Hardcover – 14 January 2026
by Chuck Collins
Burned by Billionaires: How Concentrated Wealth and Power Are Ruining Our Lives and Planet Hardcover – 14 January 2026
by Chuck Collins
December 18, 2025 at 7:57 AM
“The three hundred largest yachts in the world emit as much carbon dioxide as the ten million inhabitants of Burundi.”
Burned by Billionaires: How Concentrated Wealth and Power Are Ruining Our Lives and Planet Hardcover – 14 January 2026
by Chuck Collins
Burned by Billionaires: How Concentrated Wealth and Power Are Ruining Our Lives and Planet Hardcover – 14 January 2026
by Chuck Collins
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Things are grim in the American academy. Even if a program is in the black, universities only want the study of:
1 AI
2 AI
3 AI
4 Finance
5 AI
6 AI
7 AI
8. PR (w an AI minor)
9 Roman history (as a MOOC co-taught by JD Vance and Joe Rogan)
10 AI
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
1 AI
2 AI
3 AI
4 Finance
5 AI
6 AI
7 AI
8. PR (w an AI minor)
9 Roman history (as a MOOC co-taught by JD Vance and Joe Rogan)
10 AI
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026
As part of the University's plan to make $70 million in budget cuts across the institution, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Nate Knuffman projected that cutting 14 centers and institutes in...
dailytarheel.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Things are grim in the American academy. Even if a program is in the black, universities only want the study of:
1 AI
2 AI
3 AI
4 Finance
5 AI
6 AI
7 AI
8. PR (w an AI minor)
9 Roman history (as a MOOC co-taught by JD Vance and Joe Rogan)
10 AI
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
1 AI
2 AI
3 AI
4 Finance
5 AI
6 AI
7 AI
8. PR (w an AI minor)
9 Roman history (as a MOOC co-taught by JD Vance and Joe Rogan)
10 AI
dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
We were dead and now we're the hottest country in the world, the first country—quite frankly the only country—where a box of breakfast cereal costs $11. We're saying Merry Christmas, and also the r-slur, and we're getting back to saying "gay" so it means "stupid" again. Grown-ups are doing it now,
December 18, 2025 at 5:19 AM
We were dead and now we're the hottest country in the world, the first country—quite frankly the only country—where a box of breakfast cereal costs $11. We're saying Merry Christmas, and also the r-slur, and we're getting back to saying "gay" so it means "stupid" again. Grown-ups are doing it now,
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
This is just one example, but this story is the perfect example of why mediocre white guys are against DEI and this is the “American Dream” they’re trying to preserve. This is the “western culture” they want to protect, and anti-discrimination laws and policies destroy that.
December 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is just one example, but this story is the perfect example of why mediocre white guys are against DEI and this is the “American Dream” they’re trying to preserve. This is the “western culture” they want to protect, and anti-discrimination laws and policies destroy that.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
"Muslims shouldn't have to disarm a gunman in order for people to say, 'Well actually, Muslims, they're good people.'"
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @premthakker.bsky.social discuss the Muslim man who stopped a mass shooting in Australia.
Watch the full conversation:
zeteo.com/p/good-musli...
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @premthakker.bsky.social discuss the Muslim man who stopped a mass shooting in Australia.
Watch the full conversation:
zeteo.com/p/good-musli...
December 15, 2025 at 9:03 PM
"Muslims shouldn't have to disarm a gunman in order for people to say, 'Well actually, Muslims, they're good people.'"
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @premthakker.bsky.social discuss the Muslim man who stopped a mass shooting in Australia.
Watch the full conversation:
zeteo.com/p/good-musli...
@mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @premthakker.bsky.social discuss the Muslim man who stopped a mass shooting in Australia.
Watch the full conversation:
zeteo.com/p/good-musli...
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
I wish a notice like this wasn't necessary.
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
Important notice: AI-generated archival references
www.icrc.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
imagine investing in public media and ensuring that media literacy (and spotting unreliable narrators) was integral in primary school education
Finland has emerged as a global leader in countering “fake news”. Here's how they've done it
Teaching when to trust
As fake news accelerates, we need to teach our children how to think critically. Finnish schools are leading the charge
newhumanist.org.uk
December 7, 2025 at 2:32 PM
imagine investing in public media and ensuring that media literacy (and spotting unreliable narrators) was integral in primary school education
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Extreme heat doesn’t just feel exhausting — it ages your body.
A new study shows repeated heatwaves can age you as much as smoking or drinking.
Climate change is literally speeding up our biological clock.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
A new study shows repeated heatwaves can age you as much as smoking or drinking.
Climate change is literally speeding up our biological clock.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Repeated heatwaves can age you as much as smoking or drinking
Long-term study suggests that the more heatwaves people are exposed to, the more it accelerates body ageing.
www.nature.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Extreme heat doesn’t just feel exhausting — it ages your body.
A new study shows repeated heatwaves can age you as much as smoking or drinking.
Climate change is literally speeding up our biological clock.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
A new study shows repeated heatwaves can age you as much as smoking or drinking.
Climate change is literally speeding up our biological clock.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
BREAKING: ‘This hurts’: UNL eliminates 4 programs despite faculty, student pleas
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminates the Earth and atmospheric sciences 8-0, educational administration 7-1, statistics 7-1, textiles, merchandising and fashion design 7-1 programs.
www.dailynebraskan.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
"Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, was slated to speak at the event, but the University denied him access to campus"
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/12...
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/12...
Journalism School hosts screening of ‘The Encampments’ and panel on free speech and student activism
The Journalism School held a screening of “<a href="https://www.columbiaspectator.com/arts-and-culture/2025/03/31/review-the-encampments-is-an-intimate-look-into-columbias-pro-palestinian-movement/" r...
www.columbiaspectator.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, was slated to speak at the event, but the University denied him access to campus"
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/12...
www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
The arc of the moral universe is rocking back and forth in the bathtub.
The arc of the moral universe is out of ideas.
The arc of the moral universe wants you to please wait. Your call is important to it.
The arc of the moral universe is out of ideas.
The arc of the moral universe wants you to please wait. Your call is important to it.
Updates on the Arc of the Moral Universe
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - - -The arc of the moral universe is feeling ...
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The arc of the moral universe is rocking back and forth in the bathtub.
The arc of the moral universe is out of ideas.
The arc of the moral universe wants you to please wait. Your call is important to it.
The arc of the moral universe is out of ideas.
The arc of the moral universe wants you to please wait. Your call is important to it.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
🧵 Lowe's CEO, one of 8 Black Fortune 500 CEOs, stands firm on DEI.
"Championing Diversity Through Action: Ellison’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is rooted in practical change rather than public statements"
Home Depot, meanwhile, allows ICE agents to raid its parking lots.
"Championing Diversity Through Action: Ellison’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is rooted in practical change rather than public statements"
Home Depot, meanwhile, allows ICE agents to raid its parking lots.
November 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
🧵 Lowe's CEO, one of 8 Black Fortune 500 CEOs, stands firm on DEI.
"Championing Diversity Through Action: Ellison’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is rooted in practical change rather than public statements"
Home Depot, meanwhile, allows ICE agents to raid its parking lots.
"Championing Diversity Through Action: Ellison’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is rooted in practical change rather than public statements"
Home Depot, meanwhile, allows ICE agents to raid its parking lots.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Stephen Miller’s ancestors were Jewish refugees from the pogroms in czarist Russia. They came to the U.S. in the early twentieth century, even as racists said this same stuff about them.
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Stephen Miller’s ancestors were Jewish refugees from the pogroms in czarist Russia. They came to the U.S. in the early twentieth century, even as racists said this same stuff about them.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Nailed it. The modern age of digital colonizers is in full swing.
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Nailed it. The modern age of digital colonizers is in full swing.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
The most on-the-money statement you’ll read today.
November 23, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The most on-the-money statement you’ll read today.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Just a thought: How about we stop protecting the reputation of powerful, rich child rapists, and start bringing powerful, rich child rapists to justice?
November 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Just a thought: How about we stop protecting the reputation of powerful, rich child rapists, and start bringing powerful, rich child rapists to justice?
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Could argue the misogyny Summers expressed both publicly while president of Harvard and in emails to Epstein says more about the culture at our most elite institutions than any of the frontpage freakouts over academia in the past few years but hey
November 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Could argue the misogyny Summers expressed both publicly while president of Harvard and in emails to Epstein says more about the culture at our most elite institutions than any of the frontpage freakouts over academia in the past few years but hey
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
for the record, i don’t believe that all men want is to assault teenagers without suffering consequences for it. i do however believe that if you’re a man who does NOT want that, this would be a GREAT time to get VERY FUCKING LOUD about it
November 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
for the record, i don’t believe that all men want is to assault teenagers without suffering consequences for it. i do however believe that if you’re a man who does NOT want that, this would be a GREAT time to get VERY FUCKING LOUD about it
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Larry Summers is still on multiple prestigious boards, a fellow at think tanks, etc. @americanprogress.bsky.social you going to do anything about this?
Larry Summers (World Bank/Clinton admin/Harvard president/Obama admin) yukking it up with Jeffrey Epstein about women being dumb and society coming down too hard on perverts makes me wonder how all women are not constantly Becoming The Joker
November 16, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Larry Summers is still on multiple prestigious boards, a fellow at think tanks, etc. @americanprogress.bsky.social you going to do anything about this?
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
In case you haven’t figured it out yet.
November 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
In case you haven’t figured it out yet.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
been awhile since I felt a literal chill down my spine but this honestly scared the shit out of me
November 15, 2025 at 1:44 PM
been awhile since I felt a literal chill down my spine but this honestly scared the shit out of me
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Stunning. Archives are everything.
‘We don’t even know all of what we have.’ Howard University fights to preserve Black newspapers. www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/... Last year, during a move, workers found two whole boxes of Frederick Douglass’s’ The North Star’s first year of publication.
‘We don’t even know all of what we have.’ Howard fights to preserve Black newspapers.
Across the United States, scholars are working to preserve the history of the Black press before the brittle pages are lost forever. In a basement at Howard University, uncovered treasures have includ...
www.csmonitor.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Stunning. Archives are everything.
Reposted by Melissa Johnson
Never forget the same people defending pedophilia have spent years trying to convince the public that drag queens and trans people are a threat to children.
It’s all smoke and mirrors to allow the real predators to roam free.
It’s all smoke and mirrors to allow the real predators to roam free.
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Never forget the same people defending pedophilia have spent years trying to convince the public that drag queens and trans people are a threat to children.
It’s all smoke and mirrors to allow the real predators to roam free.
It’s all smoke and mirrors to allow the real predators to roam free.