Shakuntala
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banaji.bsky.social
Shakuntala
@banaji.bsky.social
Media Professor LSE /disinformation/social change/young people; trade unionist/ socialist - everything’s ideological but some ideologies lead to affordable healthcare, forests and public parks; others lead to discrimination and genocide.
Pinned
If you don’t know my work, which you very likely don’t, and you’re finding my profile for the first time rather than as an old friend from elsewhere, much of it is free to download here. eprints.lse.ac.uk/view/creator...
Items where Author is "Banaji, Shakuntala" - LSE Research Online
eprints.lse.ac.uk
Reposted by Shakuntala
Thinking about how a couple of weeks ago, I was alone in a courthouse bathroom during a trial break, and someone (probably opposing counsel, but Idk for sure) reported "a man in the women's bathroom" and a cop barged in and demanded I leave the stall in the middle of doing my business.
November 16, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
I’m falling apart… I can no longer control the rain pouring into the tent and all around it. The water is surrounding us from every side, just as the Mongols of this era once did they took our homes and our belongings, killed us, and cast us into the desert with nothing to hold our lives together.
November 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
"Iran is facing its worst water crisis in decades. With no end in sight and authorities warning they may even have to evacuate the capital of 10 million people, residents like Ensani are scrambling to respond."

www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/i...
Taps run dry as water crisis forces Iran to consider evacuating its capital
A prolonged drought along with years of overconsumption, an inefficient agricultural sector and mismanagement have led to the problem, analysts say.
www.nbcnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Samir Zitouni, the rail worker who saved passengers from stabbings, leaves hospital www.bbc.com/news/article...
Train worker who saved passengers from stabbings leaves hospital
Samir Zitouni's family say they are "really happy" but that he faces a significant recovery.
www.bbc.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
We just raised $1 million dollars for our transition to City Hall. The groundwork to make this city a fairer and more affordable place is happening because of you.
November 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
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
Reposted by Shakuntala
been doing some light reading about the aftermath of the korean dictatorship and I think it's really important that we repeat this to ourselves, to our friends, to our neighbors, to our politicians
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 9, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
2m UK pensioners live in poverty, 110,000 a year die in fuel poverty.

Neoliberals pushing to cut/freeze state pension.

Evidence: UK state pension is the worst among G7 nations, last on replacement rates, joint-last on state pension spending.

Britons receive pension for fewer years than most.
State pension generosity compared: how does the UK measure up? | Fidelity UK
Get all the latest news, views and opinions from Fidelity’s savings and investment experts on saving and investing for your retirement.
www.fidelity.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Who could have predicted that mainstream media and politicians mainstreaming far-right talking points and symbols would embolden fascists (except all the research available on the matter)?

www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Flags and Christian nationalist slogans feature in soaring attacks on UK mosques
Between July and October, 25 buildings were targeted in 27 attacks, according to British Muslim Trust
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Transphobes are already targeting the biggest star in women's soccer and baselessly alleging she's a man because she's Black. This is what trans people warned would happen. Gender policing that becomes explicitly racial.

www.outsports.com/2025/11/6/24...
A women's soccer star is the target of an anti-trans activist - Outsports
Barbra Banda's peers in the NWSL stood up for her when the head of an anti-trans fashion brand tried to demean her.
www.outsports.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Normal People Don’t Want This Shit is running away with the vote tonight
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
‘While the relief efforts are heartening, the devastation is overwhelming. The road to recovery in western Jamaica looks tremendously long.’

Luke de Noronha on the aftermath of Hurriance Melissa, from the blog.

www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/no...
Luke de Noronha | After the Hurricane
I got a text from Denico last Wednesday afternoon: ‘I’m okay bro it’s a disaster.’ Power remained down across 75...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
The entire right-wing propaganda machine came after Zohran Mamdani.

The president and his allies came after him.

Democratic leaders, by and large, did not have his back until the last minute.

He still won, turning out historic numbers and inspiring young voters.

His politics can win anywhere.
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
To balance the glut of articles interviewing New Yorkers who claim they’re going to leave the city if Mamdani wins, someone should interview my wife and I who want to move back if he wins.
November 5, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Such a symbolic win in the fight against reactionary politics considering Trump threw his weight behind Cuomo and the mainstream Democrats were very coy in their support of Mamdani

Opposition to Trump & co must be based on radical opposition to all forms of oppression
November 5, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Zohran's campaign was his determination to make New York a city everyone can afford to live in. Huge congratulations!

His success will resonate throughout the world. A story where no one is left behind.

It's time to write that story across England & Wales too.
November 5, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
7 minutes of Zack on Sky News.

Nice to see some wide ranging questions and time for longer answers.

news.sky.com/video/share-...
What are the ambitions of the Green Party in the next general election?
The leader of the Green Party said Zohran Mamdani's win feels like a "delightful moment where hope has triumphed" and praised his policies, - he said "it was a relentless focus on equality and that's...
news.sky.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Mental health boost!
November 5, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.

Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
This is yet another example of how you beat the far right. By beating them, not trying to be them. By having your own agenda, not aping theirs. With courage and conviction - and humour - not fear and timidity.
November 5, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
One of the few remaining reliable sources of commentary on the state of American politics has been destroyed.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.

certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Shakuntala
US revokes visa for Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka

The US consulate in Lagos has revoked the visa of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate said
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
US revokes visa for Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka
The US consulate in Lagos has revoked the visa of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate said Tuesday.
www.france24.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
To be asked to write about racism only to be racially aggressed in the editing process is a new level unlocked I have to say.
November 2, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Reposted by Shakuntala
Italian police seize €1.3bn from Campari owner over alleged tax evasion.

Won't happen in the UK?

City of London Police funded by Lloyd's Bank, UK Finance.

HMRC makes sweetheart deals with corporations/rich, which parliament can't examine.

NAO said HMRC underestimates tax abuse by wealthy.
Campari shares worth €1.3bn seized by police over alleged tax evasion
The spirit manufacturer's parent firm is accused of failing to declare a similar amount in tax during a merger.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 7:53 AM