Adam Harris
@adamhsays.com
Writer exploring education, history, politics, and the South. Author of The State Must Provide. Writing Is This America? | Now: Senior fellow, New America; Soon: Host, The Atlantic. Occasionally sharing poems.
www.harrisadam.com
www.harrisadam.com
Pinned
I realize I haven't talked much about Is This America here! I've been working on it for the last several years. Excited for you all to read it. More soon, but for now:
Reposted by Adam Harris
Protester blinded, skull fractured by DHS agent during Santa Ana demonstration, family says
Protester blinded, skull fractured by DHS agent during Santa Ana demonstration, family says
A young protester narrowly avoided being killed but was left permanently blind after a Department of Homeland Security agent fired a nonlethal round at close range during a Santa Ana protest last week, according to family of the victim.
www.latimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Protester blinded, skull fractured by DHS agent during Santa Ana demonstration, family says
Reposted by Adam Harris
I realize I haven't talked much about Is This America here! I've been working on it for the last several years. Excited for you all to read it. More soon, but for now:
January 9, 2026 at 3:37 AM
I realize I haven't talked much about Is This America here! I've been working on it for the last several years. Excited for you all to read it. More soon, but for now:
Reposted by Adam Harris
It would appear I am now a columnist at Inside Higher Ed. My first piece focuses on McCarthyism, censorship, and our current moment in higher education. This is an essay I started nearly 6 months ago so I'm glad to finally share it with y'all.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Censorship Arrives on Campus
In her debut column, “Echoes in the Quad,” higher education policy scholar Dominique J. Baker explores how the political oppression of the McCarthy era reverberates in the stifling of academic freedom...
www.insidehighered.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:24 PM
It would appear I am now a columnist at Inside Higher Ed. My first piece focuses on McCarthyism, censorship, and our current moment in higher education. This is an essay I started nearly 6 months ago so I'm glad to finally share it with y'all.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
A vital new column at Inside Higher Ed called “Echoes in the Quad“ from @bakerdphd.bsky.social.
Her debut series is on what McCarthyism can teach us about today: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Her debut series is on what McCarthyism can teach us about today: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Censorship Arrives on Campus
In her debut column, “Echoes in the Quad,” higher education policy scholar Dominique J. Baker explores how the political oppression of the McCarthy era reverberates in the stifling of academic freedom...
www.insidehighered.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:07 PM
A vital new column at Inside Higher Ed called “Echoes in the Quad“ from @bakerdphd.bsky.social.
Her debut series is on what McCarthyism can teach us about today: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Her debut series is on what McCarthyism can teach us about today: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
"Manny Diaz Jr., a former Republican lawmaker and Florida education commissioner who had been serving as interim president since July, was announced as the sole finalist in November." 11-1 vote. Only the Faculty Senate representative to the board voted no.
www.chronicle.com/article/anot...
www.chronicle.com/article/anot...
Another Former Republican Lawmaker Snags a Permanent Presidency in Florida
Manny Diaz Jr., the newly appointed president of the University of West Florida, was named sole finalist in November after serving as the interim.
www.chronicle.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:13 PM
"Manny Diaz Jr., a former Republican lawmaker and Florida education commissioner who had been serving as interim president since July, was announced as the sole finalist in November." 11-1 vote. Only the Faculty Senate representative to the board voted no.
www.chronicle.com/article/anot...
www.chronicle.com/article/anot...
One of the last actions of the first Trump administration was to release a report that claimed, “The civil rights movement was almost immediately turned to programs that ran counter to the lofty ideals of the founders.”
When asked whether protections that began in the 1960s, spurred by the passage of the Civil Rights Act, had resulted in discrimination against white men, Mr. Trump said he believed “a lot of people were very badly treated.” @nytimes.com
Trump Says Civil Rights Led to White People Being ‘Very Badly Treated’
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:07 AM
One of the last actions of the first Trump administration was to release a report that claimed, “The civil rights movement was almost immediately turned to programs that ran counter to the lofty ideals of the founders.”
Reposted by Adam Harris
hi, political philosopher here! this is not funny, central banks only do this when they're in extreme distress
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:04 AM
hi, political philosopher here! this is not funny, central banks only do this when they're in extreme distress
Reposted by Adam Harris
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Reposted by Adam Harris
Mamdani is here describing a vision of working-class consumerism that resonates with the 19th century theorists of the “living wage” and shorter hours movements, whom I wrote about in my first book. “Eight Hours for What Will,” very much included the arts, education, and pleasure.
January 10, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Mamdani is here describing a vision of working-class consumerism that resonates with the 19th century theorists of the “living wage” and shorter hours movements, whom I wrote about in my first book. “Eight Hours for What Will,” very much included the arts, education, and pleasure.
Reposted by Adam Harris
Perhaps more egregious than fraud is that states aren't required to spend all the TANF money they receive.
"Nebraska was sitting on $91 million. Hawaii had $380 million, enough to provide every poor child in the state with $10,000. Tennessee topped the list with $790 million." — Matthew Desmond
"Nebraska was sitting on $91 million. Hawaii had $380 million, enough to provide every poor child in the state with $10,000. Tennessee topped the list with $790 million." — Matthew Desmond
January 10, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Perhaps more egregious than fraud is that states aren't required to spend all the TANF money they receive.
"Nebraska was sitting on $91 million. Hawaii had $380 million, enough to provide every poor child in the state with $10,000. Tennessee topped the list with $790 million." — Matthew Desmond
"Nebraska was sitting on $91 million. Hawaii had $380 million, enough to provide every poor child in the state with $10,000. Tennessee topped the list with $790 million." — Matthew Desmond
Reposted by Adam Harris
Surely this crackdown on fraud applies everywhere?
"One massive recent scandal over cash aid was in Mississippi. In 2024, the Biden administration notified the state it must pay back $101 million in welfare money that was misspent. Last year the Trump administration rescinded that penalty letter."
"One massive recent scandal over cash aid was in Mississippi. In 2024, the Biden administration notified the state it must pay back $101 million in welfare money that was misspent. Last year the Trump administration rescinded that penalty letter."
Influencer, White House welfare fraud claims are distorted, but the system has risks
Federal officials are targeting Democratic-led states over alleged safety-net fraud. Critics worry a drumbeat of unfounded accusations could undermine public trust.
www.npr.org
January 10, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Surely this crackdown on fraud applies everywhere?
"One massive recent scandal over cash aid was in Mississippi. In 2024, the Biden administration notified the state it must pay back $101 million in welfare money that was misspent. Last year the Trump administration rescinded that penalty letter."
"One massive recent scandal over cash aid was in Mississippi. In 2024, the Biden administration notified the state it must pay back $101 million in welfare money that was misspent. Last year the Trump administration rescinded that penalty letter."
Reposted by Adam Harris
Worth remembering, as Trump tries to brutalize blue states over alleged TANF fraud: Mississippi's former welfare director ran TANF as a private slush fund, routing tens of millions to churches, wrestlers, and celebrity pet projects (including Brett Favre's)—while rejecting over 90% of poor families.
NEW: Text messages reveal the strange relationship that John Davis, the former Mississippi official who directed millions in welfare dollars to sports celebrities, shared with WWE wrestlers Ted DiBiase Jr. and Brett DiBiase.
"It is me who tried to buy your love," he wrote in one text read in court.
"It is me who tried to buy your love," he wrote in one text read in court.
DiBiase Trial Spotlights Wrestlers' Odd Bond With Mississippi Welfare Scandal Mastermind
The odd relationship between the mastermind of the Mississippi welfare scandal and two ex-wrestlers was on display in Ted DiBiase Jr.’s trial.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 10, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Worth remembering, as Trump tries to brutalize blue states over alleged TANF fraud: Mississippi's former welfare director ran TANF as a private slush fund, routing tens of millions to churches, wrestlers, and celebrity pet projects (including Brett Favre's)—while rejecting over 90% of poor families.
I’ve said this before but UVA rented human beings, who literally built the university, to save money in the 1800s. there were 125 to 200 enslaved people on campus at any given time before abolition.
Exclusive: Texts messages offer an unfiltered account of University of Virginia board members speaking about ending “chemical and surgical mutilation” for transgender youth at its hospitals and undoing “regimes of racial classification” in its classrooms.
‘This is war’: In texts, U-Va. board members plot with Youngkin, decry DEI
Private messages between University of Virginia board members and other officials show how they deliberated on key issues and Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s involvement in university operations.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:36 PM
I’ve said this before but UVA rented human beings, who literally built the university, to save money in the 1800s. there were 125 to 200 enslaved people on campus at any given time before abolition.
Reposted by Adam Harris
On Wednesday, Renee Macklin Good was fatally shot by a federal ICE agent. Becca Good, her wife, shared the following statement with MPR News.
Renee Macklin Good’s wife says she ‘nurtured kindness’
On Wednesday, Renee Macklin Good was fatally shot by a federal ICE agent. Becca Good, her wife, shared the following statement with MPR News.
www.mprnews.org
January 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
On Wednesday, Renee Macklin Good was fatally shot by a federal ICE agent. Becca Good, her wife, shared the following statement with MPR News.
Reposted by Adam Harris
January 9, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Adam Harris
Just a few spots left in this memoir workshop, which runs from February through November 2026 and is my favorite class to teach. Now holding off on new acceptances until the deadline so I can consider every application that comes in. Apply by Jan. 24! @thewriterscenter.bsky.social
Let's write together in 2026! If you're looking to jumpstart your memoir project—or are already underway & want some support to maintain momentum or figure out next steps—this @thewriterscenter.bsky.social workshop is for you. We'll meet twice a month, starting in February; learn more + apply here:
Memoir Year w/ Nicole Chung - The Writer's Center
Work on your memoir with bestselling author Nicole Chung! This intensive workshop is open to writers working on a memoir or memoir-in-essays. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in lively craft...
writer.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Just a few spots left in this memoir workshop, which runs from February through November 2026 and is my favorite class to teach. Now holding off on new acceptances until the deadline so I can consider every application that comes in. Apply by Jan. 24! @thewriterscenter.bsky.social
Reposted by Adam Harris
“We must either make up our minds to fight under the stars and stripes, wherever our services may be called for, or we must resign at once and free ourselves from that solemn oath,” he wrote to his Aunt Emily in April 1861.
January 9, 2026 at 3:06 AM
“We must either make up our minds to fight under the stars and stripes, wherever our services may be called for, or we must resign at once and free ourselves from that solemn oath,” he wrote to his Aunt Emily in April 1861.
Reposted by Adam Harris
After Minneapolis, now the ICE shooting on Christmas Eve in Maryland is getting some scrutiny from local police: “…county police confirmed The Banner’s reporting that the second person injured in the encounter was already in ICE custody, in one of the agency’s vehicles, when he was hurt.”
Anne Arundel County Police dispute ICE’s account of Glen Burnie shooting
A deadly shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis on Wednesday renewed scrutiny of a violent Christmas Eve incident involving ICE agents in Glen Burnie, with Anne Arundel County ...
www.thebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:46 PM
After Minneapolis, now the ICE shooting on Christmas Eve in Maryland is getting some scrutiny from local police: “…county police confirmed The Banner’s reporting that the second person injured in the encounter was already in ICE custody, in one of the agency’s vehicles, when he was hurt.”
From @adamserwer.bsky.social:
“This approach, of course, is quite familiar to communities that have been dealing with police abuses for as long as there have been professional police forces.“ www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
“This approach, of course, is quite familiar to communities that have been dealing with police abuses for as long as there have been professional police forces.“ www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
First the Shooting. Then the Lies.
The Trump administration has perfected the smear campaign.
www.theatlantic.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:43 PM
From @adamserwer.bsky.social:
“This approach, of course, is quite familiar to communities that have been dealing with police abuses for as long as there have been professional police forces.“ www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
“This approach, of course, is quite familiar to communities that have been dealing with police abuses for as long as there have been professional police forces.“ www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Adam Harris
It wouldn’t be a Northern problem, he thought. People only cared for themselves and their families and self-preservation. They would simply look away. Slavery—a violation of human liberty—and the enslaved were “abstract principles.”
January 9, 2026 at 3:08 AM
It wouldn’t be a Northern problem, he thought. People only cared for themselves and their families and self-preservation. They would simply look away. Slavery—a violation of human liberty—and the enslaved were “abstract principles.”
Reposted by Adam Harris
But he wasn’t worried about Civil War actually happening. “I do not think it is the spirit of the 19th century to fight over an abstract principle and in event of a seperation, slavery must be but an abstract question to the people of the North,” he wrote to his mother in May.
January 9, 2026 at 3:07 AM
But he wasn’t worried about Civil War actually happening. “I do not think it is the spirit of the 19th century to fight over an abstract principle and in event of a seperation, slavery must be but an abstract question to the people of the North,” he wrote to his mother in May.
Reposted by Adam Harris
While working on Is This America, I've read & transcribed a lot of Confederate letters and diaries. In one letter, Tom Rowland, a Virginian who was leaving West Point to become a traitor, stated the departing cadets’ position clearly. Secession was happening and he wondered what was taking so long.
January 9, 2026 at 3:05 AM
While working on Is This America, I've read & transcribed a lot of Confederate letters and diaries. In one letter, Tom Rowland, a Virginian who was leaving West Point to become a traitor, stated the departing cadets’ position clearly. Secession was happening and he wondered what was taking so long.
I realize I haven't talked much about Is This America here! I've been working on it for the last several years. Excited for you all to read it. More soon, but for now:
January 9, 2026 at 3:37 AM
I realize I haven't talked much about Is This America here! I've been working on it for the last several years. Excited for you all to read it. More soon, but for now:
Reposted by Adam Harris
Some personal news, as they say: My first book, CATCH THE DEVIL, comes out July 14! I’m hugely grateful to @nytimes.com for naming it as one of the books everyone will be talking about in 2026.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
January 8, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Some personal news, as they say: My first book, CATCH THE DEVIL, comes out July 14! I’m hugely grateful to @nytimes.com for naming it as one of the books everyone will be talking about in 2026.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
He was pardoned after the war and became a lawyer until his death in Baltimore.
I hope this Tom Rowland of Virginia got turned into spaghetti sauce by canister from a US battery
January 9, 2026 at 3:11 AM
He was pardoned after the war and became a lawyer until his death in Baltimore.