Ben Johnson
@benjaminhjohns1.bsky.social
I study history in order to understand and help others understand the crazy world in which we live. Environment, climate, borders, violence and memory are key. Also @refusing2forget.bsky.social. My opinions are mine, sadly almost never my employer's.
liars, liars, liars. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/25/f...
Feds Repeatedly Lied And Misled The Public During Chicago Immigration Crackdown, Federal Judge Rules
In a scathing opinion, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis highlighted lies and distortions by Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino and immigration agents in press releases, social media posts and their own inte...
blockclubchicago.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
liars, liars, liars. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/25/f...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
That sound you heard was every GOP elected official with a lick of sense absolutely SHITTING themselves thinking about the visual of Mark Kelly back in uniform before a military court as Whiskey Pete's handpicked chucklefucks try to railroad him on bogus charges.
November 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
That sound you heard was every GOP elected official with a lick of sense absolutely SHITTING themselves thinking about the visual of Mark Kelly back in uniform before a military court as Whiskey Pete's handpicked chucklefucks try to railroad him on bogus charges.
totally unhinged
In an unhinged dissent in our Texas redistricting victory, a GOP appointed judge seems to believe that George Soros and I did...well, I'm not sure what...but he is very mad. Bigly.
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
totally unhinged
Reposted by Ben Johnson
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
Our virtual event is just one week away! Join us as we bring together these powerful voices to reflect on this urgent moment & the ongoing struggle to protect truthful history.
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
November 12, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Our virtual event is just one week away! Join us as we bring together these powerful voices to reflect on this urgent moment & the ongoing struggle to protect truthful history.
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
@stevanzetti.bsky.social @drmphillipsut.bsky.social
Access this event on our Patreon:
www.patreon.com/RefusingtoFo...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
On Sunday, local community members made the yearly walk to the Matanza of 1915 historical marker. RTF cofounder @gonzalest956.bsky.social, said the murders happened "in response to the last colonial rebellion by ethnic Mexicans against U.S. sovereignty."
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
La caminata honors 'the last colonial rebellion', Trump fights SNAP payments in court, election day set for Tuesday
Trinidad Gonzales, who co-founded the history project Refusing to Forget, said the murders happened "in response to the last colonial rebellion by ethnic Mexicans against U.S. sovereignty."
www.acrosstheamericas.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
On Sunday, local community members made the yearly walk to the Matanza of 1915 historical marker. RTF cofounder @gonzalest956.bsky.social, said the murders happened "in response to the last colonial rebellion by ethnic Mexicans against U.S. sovereignty."
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
www.acrosstheamericas.com/la-caminata-...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
new podcast on TX history dropped today. I'm the guest of honor on the first episode. Might take me weeks to screw up the courage to hear the sound of my own voice. Interviewer asked great questions, so I have high hopes . . .
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
“Lone Star Lore Podcast”
Explore Texas history through immersive storytelling. Lone Star Lore reveals the myths, truths, and untold stories that still shape who we are today.
www.griffynco.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
new podcast on TX history dropped today. I'm the guest of honor on the first episode. Might take me weeks to screw up the courage to hear the sound of my own voice. Interviewer asked great questions, so I have high hopes . . .
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
www.griffynco.com/introducing-...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
🕯Día de los Muertos is upon us.🕯
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
Dia de los Muertos Altar - Refusing to Forget
Day of the Dead is a celebration of Life.
refusingtoforget.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🕯Día de los Muertos is upon us.🕯
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
Join us in remembering the stories and honoring the lives of those who have been victims of racial violence in Texas and those who have fought against these cultures of violence.
View our virtual ofrendas on our website.
refusingtoforget.org/dia-de-los-m...
I have arrived as a Texas historian. My book yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300... fails to finger LBJ as the mastermind of the JFK assassination.
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I have arrived as a Texas historian. My book yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300... fails to finger LBJ as the mastermind of the JFK assassination.
God I love this. (I’m from Texas as are both my parents and almost all my aunts and uncles are queer).
I wrote the first version of this draft almost exactly a year ago, but I wasn’t ready.
I am now.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/27/t...
I am now.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/27/t...
Texas Is a Lot More Queer Than You Think. I Am Too.
There are 1.8 million of us, and we’re not going anywhere.
thebarbedwire.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:35 PM
God I love this. (I’m from Texas as are both my parents and almost all my aunts and uncles are queer).
Reposted by Ben Johnson
Damphousse has “provided a model for McCarthyite suppression of constitutionally-protected speech that will undoubtedly provide a toxic model for other colleges + universities across the country with similar timid and unethical leadership,” Michael Phillips said.
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
Firing of Alter, other administrative decisions, lead guest lecturers to withdraw from speaking
At least three academics, including two potential research consultants, have withdrawn from or declined offers to speak to or work with history classes at Texas State since Sept. 10. The guest lectur...
universitystar.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Damphousse has “provided a model for McCarthyite suppression of constitutionally-protected speech that will undoubtedly provide a toxic model for other colleges + universities across the country with similar timid and unethical leadership,” Michael Phillips said.
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
universitystar.com/33480/news/f...
History peeps, especially grad students and those who advise them: check out the CFP for Loyola's graduate student conference in February!
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
www.luc.edu
October 26, 2025 at 9:33 PM
History peeps, especially grad students and those who advise them: check out the CFP for Loyola's graduate student conference in February!
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
www.luc.edu/history/grad...
poor fragile Dan Patrick, read this article to see how easily he is rattled.
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
Dan Patrick seeks Alamo Trust’s CEO’s exit over dissertation
The lieutenant governor has insisted that the Alamo’s story remain focused on the 1836 battle over broader narratives addressing Indigenous people and slavery.
www.texastribune.org
October 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
poor fragile Dan Patrick, read this article to see how easily he is rattled.
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/10/23/t...
Texas Takes Shape: Perceptions, Power and the Politics of Identity – Texas Book Festival
texasbookfestival.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
An all too timely look at the persistence of racism at the highest levels of law enforcement.
On an unknown date in October 1962, Homer Garrison, Director of Texas DPS and Chief of the Texas Rangers, dressed in blackface for a work picnic and lampooned the NAACP. A thread on Garrison and racism in the modern Rangers./1 CW: racist language and depictions
texasarchive.org/2009_00902
texasarchive.org/2009_00902
DPS Talent Show (1962)
Watch an ever-growing archive of Texas film and videos through the decades. Discover the experience of Texans, explore education and preservation resources.
texasarchive.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
An all too timely look at the persistence of racism at the highest levels of law enforcement.
Reposted by Ben Johnson
#OTD sometime in October of 1921 Texas Ranger Frank Hamer killed Mexican revolutionary and outlaw Rafael "Red" Lopez. His death marked the end of a years long tale that law enforcement would only fully come to understand in the early 2000s. /1
October 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
#OTD sometime in October of 1921 Texas Ranger Frank Hamer killed Mexican revolutionary and outlaw Rafael "Red" Lopez. His death marked the end of a years long tale that law enforcement would only fully come to understand in the early 2000s. /1
Western history peeps, please come to the WHA business meeting Friday at 3:45 in the Anasazi Room to support a measure from the floor to defend Tom Alter. DM me for deets if you want and help spread the word. www.historians.org/news/aha-sen...
AHA Sends Letter Objecting to Firing of Texas State University Professor
The AHA has sent a letter to Texas State University professor Kelly Damphousse registering strong objection to the university’s decision to terminate the employment of Dr. Thomas Alter without due pro...
www.historians.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Western history peeps, please come to the WHA business meeting Friday at 3:45 in the Anasazi Room to support a measure from the floor to defend Tom Alter. DM me for deets if you want and help spread the word. www.historians.org/news/aha-sen...
Reposted by Ben Johnson
It’s impossible to overstate how much “abolish ice” is the normie position now here in chicago — just countless random moms at toddler soccer on a park district field asking me where I bought my anti-ice t-shirt. average people don’t like our neighborhoods being terrorized.
A friend ran the Chicago marathon today and said he couldn’t count the number of FUCK ICE signs along the way.
October 13, 2025 at 3:01 AM
It’s impossible to overstate how much “abolish ice” is the normie position now here in chicago — just countless random moms at toddler soccer on a park district field asking me where I bought my anti-ice t-shirt. average people don’t like our neighborhoods being terrorized.
Reposted by Ben Johnson
The annual Crystal City Pilgrimage honors the memory of the men, women, & children imprisoned in the WWII DOJ Crystal City Family Internment Camp.
"The pilgrimage is an invitation to step into the past...
To feel rage and grief but also love & community & solidarity." www.crystalcitypilgrimage.org
"The pilgrimage is an invitation to step into the past...
To feel rage and grief but also love & community & solidarity." www.crystalcitypilgrimage.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The annual Crystal City Pilgrimage honors the memory of the men, women, & children imprisoned in the WWII DOJ Crystal City Family Internment Camp.
"The pilgrimage is an invitation to step into the past...
To feel rage and grief but also love & community & solidarity." www.crystalcitypilgrimage.org
"The pilgrimage is an invitation to step into the past...
To feel rage and grief but also love & community & solidarity." www.crystalcitypilgrimage.org
JFC
“I’ll declare war on you if you don’t give me the peace prize” is an incredible bit
October 10, 2025 at 3:50 AM
JFC
Reposted by Ben Johnson
The latest news from colonial Boston.
Chilling insight by @barbarafwalter.com: "Once citizens view their own government’s security forces as an occupying army, violence becomes inevitable. Trump’s team knows this… They’re trying to trigger the very unrest that would justify further crackdowns."
via www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/o...
via www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/o...
October 8, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The latest news from colonial Boston.
Reposted by Ben Johnson
Emergency Protest Today, 10/8/2025 in Chicago: 5:30 PM at Michigan and Ida B. Wells. We're demanding that ICE and the National Guard get out of our city. I'll attend this.
October 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Emergency Protest Today, 10/8/2025 in Chicago: 5:30 PM at Michigan and Ida B. Wells. We're demanding that ICE and the National Guard get out of our city. I'll attend this.