Robert Cotto Jr.
@robertcottojr.bsky.social
Educator, Scholar, Dad | Black Puerto Rican + Indigenous Peruvian | Ph.D. | My posts are just me. Reposts are not endorsement.
https://robertcotto.com/
https://robertcotto.com/
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Astonishing to stop and realize that, at any given moment, bands of masked men armed to the teeth are storming churches and daycares, terrorizing entire communities—and that most of the country's political establishment barely blinks.
November 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Astonishing to stop and realize that, at any given moment, bands of masked men armed to the teeth are storming churches and daycares, terrorizing entire communities—and that most of the country's political establishment barely blinks.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
This is, of course, a stark betrayal of the New School’s storied history and animating spirit. It demonstrates something many of us know intellectually but have trouble grasping: many university leaders *do not care* about, even *actively despise*, the basic values that bring us to work every day.
The New School is now a place where students cannot major in History, Anthropology, Sociology, Global Policy & International Affairs, Global Studies, Urban Studies, or Environmental Studies. And more pauses, closures, and mergers coming down the pike this week. The future is uncertain.
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is, of course, a stark betrayal of the New School’s storied history and animating spirit. It demonstrates something many of us know intellectually but have trouble grasping: many university leaders *do not care* about, even *actively despise*, the basic values that bring us to work every day.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
The New School is now a place where students cannot major in History, Anthropology, Sociology, Global Policy & International Affairs, Global Studies, Urban Studies, or Environmental Studies. And more pauses, closures, and mergers coming down the pike this week. The future is uncertain.
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The New School is now a place where students cannot major in History, Anthropology, Sociology, Global Policy & International Affairs, Global Studies, Urban Studies, or Environmental Studies. And more pauses, closures, and mergers coming down the pike this week. The future is uncertain.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
It's not normal for a professor to start a class discussing how they "regret" being best buddies with a child sex trafficker and asking them for advice on how to abuse their position to coerce sex from former students.
He shouldn't be there at all. This is an institutional failure.
He shouldn't be there at all. This is an institutional failure.
Larry Summers discusses his “statement of regret” for his disturbing messages to Jeffrey Epstein with Harvard students
November 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
It's not normal for a professor to start a class discussing how they "regret" being best buddies with a child sex trafficker and asking them for advice on how to abuse their position to coerce sex from former students.
He shouldn't be there at all. This is an institutional failure.
He shouldn't be there at all. This is an institutional failure.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Read this interview with @peterthorne.bsky.social to understand how dire the situation is with respect to US science funding. The US has played an outsized role in Earth observations and global coordination, and even if other nations decide to step in, it would take at least a decade to recover.
Without US satellites, 'we go dark', climate monitor tells AFP
US budget cuts risk creating blind spots in Earth monitoring systems that would imperil weather forecasting and climate research for years to come, the deputy chair of a key UN-backed climate monitori...
www.france24.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Read this interview with @peterthorne.bsky.social to understand how dire the situation is with respect to US science funding. The US has played an outsized role in Earth observations and global coordination, and even if other nations decide to step in, it would take at least a decade to recover.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Fifteen-year-old Miguel Vazquez was one of the people who took off running when federal agents arrived. “I thought, ‘Wait, why am I running? I’m a citizen,’” Vazquez said.
newrepublic.com/post/203321/...
newrepublic.com/post/203321/...
ICE Agents Raid a Church With No Explanation
Operation “Charlotte’s Web” continues.
newrepublic.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Fifteen-year-old Miguel Vazquez was one of the people who took off running when federal agents arrived. “I thought, ‘Wait, why am I running? I’m a citizen,’” Vazquez said.
newrepublic.com/post/203321/...
newrepublic.com/post/203321/...
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Today there was an attempted ICE raid in Bensonhurst & community members showed up. Even though NYPD collaborated with ICE by trying to disburse the crowd; community members stood their ground & ICE left without kidnapping a single person per the rapid response groups I'm on. We protect us!
November 19, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Today there was an attempted ICE raid in Bensonhurst & community members showed up. Even though NYPD collaborated with ICE by trying to disburse the crowd; community members stood their ground & ICE left without kidnapping a single person per the rapid response groups I'm on. We protect us!
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Hi, I’m a website, product, or service you’ve relied on for years without incident. Great news: I’ve now been revamped with a mandatory AI component that makes me unusable.
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Hi, I’m a website, product, or service you’ve relied on for years without incident. Great news: I’ve now been revamped with a mandatory AI component that makes me unusable.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Here is the federal district court's 2–1 ruling, authored by a very conservative Trump appointee, striking down Texas' new Republican gerrymander on the grounds that it unlawfully discriminates against racial minorities. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Here is the federal district court's 2–1 ruling, authored by a very conservative Trump appointee, striking down Texas' new Republican gerrymander on the grounds that it unlawfully discriminates against racial minorities. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Charlotte-Mecklebburg Schools, according to reports, saw 15% of its students absent today amid Border Patrol operations in Charlotte. If that percentage of 15% happens Tuesday in Wake County due to the Border Patrol coming to Raleigh, 24.000 students could be absent from school. #nced #ncpol #wcpss
November 18, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
November 18, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
The only thing that Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized for is taking part in "toxic politics." And all that means is that she's going to use a softer voice when trying to disenfranchise black people and strip us of our civil rights. www.cnn.com/2025/11/16/p...
‘Humbly, I’m sorry’: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s turning a new leaf after years of divisive comments | CNN Politics
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Sunday she will stop using “toxic” rhetoric, marking what would be a dramatic shift in a political brand hallmarked by derogatory comments.
www.cnn.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:16 AM
The only thing that Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized for is taking part in "toxic politics." And all that means is that she's going to use a softer voice when trying to disenfranchise black people and strip us of our civil rights. www.cnn.com/2025/11/16/p...
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Private equity is evil.
Hourly Walgreens employees will reportedly no longer receive paid time off for six major holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, after the pharmacy giant was acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners
Report: Walgreens cuts hourly workers’ pay for 6 major holidays
The hourly employees will only be paid if they work on those holidays.
www.whio.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Private equity is evil.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Solid piece by @blackwomanteacher.bsky.social, doing the work, lays out connections that can inform this timely webinar. Hope folks attend, read her piece: futureschools.substack.com/p/climate-ch...
November 17, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Solid piece by @blackwomanteacher.bsky.social, doing the work, lays out connections that can inform this timely webinar. Hope folks attend, read her piece: futureschools.substack.com/p/climate-ch...
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
one of the crueler cases of #AdministrativeBurden I’ve heard in a long time...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
SNAP benefits update: Trump admin says ‘everyone’ will have to reapply
Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins told Newsmax on Thursday the plan is to “have everyone reapply for their benefits."
www.newsweek.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:55 PM
one of the crueler cases of #AdministrativeBurden I’ve heard in a long time...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Also: not anywhere is there any independent assessment of SNAP fraud alleged here by a spokesperson to be “rampant."
the article has descriptions of how it “can” occur, quotes claims about how many deceased people were receiving benefits.
whatever happened to “get both sides of the story”?
the article has descriptions of how it “can” occur, quotes claims about how many deceased people were receiving benefits.
whatever happened to “get both sides of the story”?
one of the crueler cases of #AdministrativeBurden I’ve heard in a long time...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
SNAP benefits update: Trump admin says ‘everyone’ will have to reapply
Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins told Newsmax on Thursday the plan is to “have everyone reapply for their benefits."
www.newsweek.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Also: not anywhere is there any independent assessment of SNAP fraud alleged here by a spokesperson to be “rampant."
the article has descriptions of how it “can” occur, quotes claims about how many deceased people were receiving benefits.
whatever happened to “get both sides of the story”?
the article has descriptions of how it “can” occur, quotes claims about how many deceased people were receiving benefits.
whatever happened to “get both sides of the story”?
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Possible difficult flu season ahead. Time to make sure that you're up to date on all applicable vaccinations. Be sure to discuss any questions with your healthcare provider.
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
A rough flu season may be taking shape
Plus updates on measles, infant botulism, the question grab bag and good news.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Possible difficult flu season ahead. Time to make sure that you're up to date on all applicable vaccinations. Be sure to discuss any questions with your healthcare provider.
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
The cost of Trump's immigration surge: Stalled investigations into child sexual abuse, Iranian oil smuggling and human trafficking, among others. My latest piece is a big team effort on how DHS has been transformed into the Department of Deportation.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Homeland Security Missions Falter Amid Focus on Deportations
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The cost of Trump's immigration surge: Stalled investigations into child sexual abuse, Iranian oil smuggling and human trafficking, among others. My latest piece is a big team effort on how DHS has been transformed into the Department of Deportation.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
i just read something about grief from C.S. Lewis and his book, “A Grief Observed”
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
November 16, 2025 at 11:51 AM
i just read something about grief from C.S. Lewis and his book, “A Grief Observed”
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
basically, when someone you love dies, it isn’t just them that you miss, but the parts of yourself that person brought out of you that can never be brought out again.
i feel that with my dad.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Disaster imperialism in full effect in Jamaica according to family there who tell me there is now a strong US military presence under the guise of aid including military planes, drones and helicopters.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
November 16, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Disaster imperialism in full effect in Jamaica according to family there who tell me there is now a strong US military presence under the guise of aid including military planes, drones and helicopters.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
I’m still struggling with the fact that ICE “brown shirts” went to a taco shop and thought they would get served.
F that!
F that!
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I’m still struggling with the fact that ICE “brown shirts” went to a taco shop and thought they would get served.
F that!
F that!
California’s new filing marks the second time the state has asked a federal court to block Trump’s Los Angeles deployment, which the president initiated through an early June memo in response to protests against his aggressive immigration raids throughout the city.
California Again Asks Court to Block Trump’s ‘Never-Ending’ Military Occupation of Los Angeles
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
#ResistanceRoots
Today in history, 1969: The second Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam attracts more than 500,000 demonstrators, making it one of the largest protests in U.S. history. The aim was to pressure the Nixon administration to withdraw U.S. military forces from the conflict. /1
Today in history, 1969: The second Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam attracts more than 500,000 demonstrators, making it one of the largest protests in U.S. history. The aim was to pressure the Nixon administration to withdraw U.S. military forces from the conflict. /1
November 16, 2025 at 1:47 AM
#ResistanceRoots
Today in history, 1969: The second Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam attracts more than 500,000 demonstrators, making it one of the largest protests in U.S. history. The aim was to pressure the Nixon administration to withdraw U.S. military forces from the conflict. /1
Today in history, 1969: The second Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam attracts more than 500,000 demonstrators, making it one of the largest protests in U.S. history. The aim was to pressure the Nixon administration to withdraw U.S. military forces from the conflict. /1
Reposted by Robert Cotto Jr.
Alice Wong taught me so much through her writing and her fight and her way of being in the world.
A real loss. Rest in power, Alice Wong.
November 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Alice Wong taught me so much through her writing and her fight and her way of being in the world.