Janan Graham-Russell, PhD
@blackatlantics.bsky.social
Storyteller | Cultural Anthropologist | Preservation Historian | African Atlantic Religions & Culture | Collector of old and old-ish things
Pinned
👋🏾 I’m a cultural anthropologist/historic preservationist/curator whose work leans into African American/Afro Caribbean religions and cultures. Currently finishing up my dissertation on devotion among Haitian LDS women. Future plans in museum and cultural heritage spaces. 🌅
#addtoblacksky
#addtoblacksky
Reposted by Janan Graham-Russell, PhD
Part of what makes this story somewhat inscrutable for casual observers but hilarious if you know your racism is the entire hook hinges on the idea that “everyone” knows Black people get a “leg up” and Zohran’s application is supposed to be “proof” this taboo “truth” is simply unacknowledged.
The New York Times says in their heads “our strength is that we publish the truth regardless of the source or who it hurts.”
They ignore that this simultaneously means “we are an easy target for recycling people’s bad faith attacks as long as there’s an element of truth to them.”
They ignore that this simultaneously means “we are an easy target for recycling people’s bad faith attacks as long as there’s an element of truth to them.”
July 4, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Part of what makes this story somewhat inscrutable for casual observers but hilarious if you know your racism is the entire hook hinges on the idea that “everyone” knows Black people get a “leg up” and Zohran’s application is supposed to be “proof” this taboo “truth” is simply unacknowledged.
Ain’t nothing to celebrate tomorrow except a day off.
July 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Ain’t nothing to celebrate tomorrow except a day off.
In times like these, I think about a divinity school prof who said that he didn’t believe that the Devil exists, but rather, people did things that were demonic.
July 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
In times like these, I think about a divinity school prof who said that he didn’t believe that the Devil exists, but rather, people did things that were demonic.
Politicians crashing out over people wanting a better world was not on my list of things to witness this week.
June 27, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Politicians crashing out over people wanting a better world was not on my list of things to witness this week.
The only conversation that I want to hear about Zohran Mamdani’s religious identity is the one about the intersection of Islam in the U.S. and hip hop. H/t to Su’ad Abdul Khabeer. #MuslimCool
June 26, 2025 at 1:03 AM
The only conversation that I want to hear about Zohran Mamdani’s religious identity is the one about the intersection of Islam in the U.S. and hip hop. H/t to Su’ad Abdul Khabeer. #MuslimCool
Run Schumer, Jeffries, and Torres up outta there next.
June 25, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Run Schumer, Jeffries, and Torres up outta there next.
Unfortunately, Mike Lee embodies what a number of folks experience/experienced in the LDS Church. Being in community with folks who sat in church week after week or went to a LDS temple on a regular basis while doing and saying the most vile things.
June 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Unfortunately, Mike Lee embodies what a number of folks experience/experienced in the LDS Church. Being in community with folks who sat in church week after week or went to a LDS temple on a regular basis while doing and saying the most vile things.
Reposted by Janan Graham-Russell, PhD
So great to read @mpgphd.bsky.social's conversation with @ahmadgreene.com about his new book, *Underworld Work: Black Atlantic Religion Making in Jim Crow New Orleans,* which is a game-changer. #AfAmReligion
senior editor @mpgphd.bsky.social talks underworlding and Zora Neale Hurston with the brilliant @ahmadgreene.com in the latest edition of Phoning It In!
religiondispatches.org/phoning-it-i...
religiondispatches.org/phoning-it-i...
Phoning It In: (Re)making Race and Religion in Zora Neale Hurston’s New Orleans Underworld
Welcome to “Phoning It In,” a gameshow I made up because I am tired and busy but also like to learn about new books!
I’m claiming to have made up this game, but if you’ve ever showed up for class wit...
religiondispatches.org
May 30, 2025 at 11:35 PM
So great to read @mpgphd.bsky.social's conversation with @ahmadgreene.com about his new book, *Underworld Work: Black Atlantic Religion Making in Jim Crow New Orleans,* which is a game-changer. #AfAmReligion
Forever grateful for David Holland and Ahmad Greene-Hayes for believing in my project and believing in me.
May 30, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Forever grateful for David Holland and Ahmad Greene-Hayes for believing in my project and believing in me.
Reposted by Janan Graham-Russell, PhD
I wrote about the politics & aesthetics of the floral in recent exhibitions (Inka Essenhigh, Sharon Core) & two of my favourite books like Ordinary Notes @dauntbookspub.bsky.social by Christina Sharpe (@hystericalblkns.bsky.social) & more by Jamaica Kincaid for Elephant
elephant.art/bring-me-flo...
elephant.art/bring-me-flo...
May 21, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I wrote about the politics & aesthetics of the floral in recent exhibitions (Inka Essenhigh, Sharon Core) & two of my favourite books like Ordinary Notes @dauntbookspub.bsky.social by Christina Sharpe (@hystericalblkns.bsky.social) & more by Jamaica Kincaid for Elephant
elephant.art/bring-me-flo...
elephant.art/bring-me-flo...
The student in question noted the atrocities in Gaza. Further, he called Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide.
These institutions continue to show us how morally bankrupt they are. www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
These institutions continue to show us how morally bankrupt they are. www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
Statement By NYU Spokesperson John Beckman
www.nyu.edu
May 15, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The student in question noted the atrocities in Gaza. Further, he called Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide.
These institutions continue to show us how morally bankrupt they are. www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
These institutions continue to show us how morally bankrupt they are. www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
Dissertation defended. Thankful for my committee and my community. It’s been a long 8 years. Looking forward to resting (and seeing what people are going to wear to the Met Gala tonight).
May 5, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Dissertation defended. Thankful for my committee and my community. It’s been a long 8 years. Looking forward to resting (and seeing what people are going to wear to the Met Gala tonight).
Reposted by Janan Graham-Russell, PhD
senior editor talked to the legendary Dr. Yvonne Chireau about being the Hoodoo consultant on Ryan Coogler's latest blockbuster, *Sinners*
religiondispatches.org/i-dont-do-ho...
religiondispatches.org/i-dont-do-ho...
“I Don’t Do Horror, Ryan Coogler” — Black Magic’s Dr. Yvonne Chireau on Sinners and Bringing Hoodoo to Life
It was my absolute pleasure to chat with Dr. Yvonne Chireau, author of the iconic Black Magic and official Hoodoo consultant for Ryan Coogler’s latest smash hit, Sinners.
If you don’t know her ...
religiondispatches.org
April 24, 2025 at 11:54 PM
senior editor talked to the legendary Dr. Yvonne Chireau about being the Hoodoo consultant on Ryan Coogler's latest blockbuster, *Sinners*
religiondispatches.org/i-dont-do-ho...
religiondispatches.org/i-dont-do-ho...
If you really want to know how deep the layers go re: Sinners, read up on William Henry Lane and the “Juba.”
April 20, 2025 at 6:19 PM
If you really want to know how deep the layers go re: Sinners, read up on William Henry Lane and the “Juba.”
Watching Sinners at Alamo Drafthouse tonight and they’re playing Delta Blues before the show. The trailer for the original Salem’s Lot came on at one point.
10/10 movie watching experience.
10/10 movie watching experience.
April 20, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Watching Sinners at Alamo Drafthouse tonight and they’re playing Delta Blues before the show. The trailer for the original Salem’s Lot came on at one point.
10/10 movie watching experience.
10/10 movie watching experience.
A much needed architecture break in the midst of a chaotic week.
www.architecturaldigest.com/story/meet-j...
www.architecturaldigest.com/story/meet-j...
Meet the Black Architect Who Was a Cornerstone America’s Gilded Age
This trailblazer was responsible for some of the country’s most striking civic and university campus structures
www.architecturaldigest.com
April 19, 2025 at 9:38 PM
A much needed architecture break in the midst of a chaotic week.
www.architecturaldigest.com/story/meet-j...
www.architecturaldigest.com/story/meet-j...
Anyway, folks with influence need to start saying no. This administration runs on the idea that they’re capable and strong.
They’re just really incompetent and incredibly cruel.
They’re just really incompetent and incredibly cruel.
April 19, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Anyway, folks with influence need to start saying no. This administration runs on the idea that they’re capable and strong.
They’re just really incompetent and incredibly cruel.
They’re just really incompetent and incredibly cruel.
Harvard called their bluff. This administration is so unserious.
April 19, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Harvard called their bluff. This administration is so unserious.
Just dawned on me that Sinners is being released on Good Friday. Well-played.
April 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Just dawned on me that Sinners is being released on Good Friday. Well-played.
Here for using architecture to inform creation — and being creative in one’s use of architecture.
📍 Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles
🖌️ Modernism, Brutalism
📐 John C. Portman, Jr.
🎥 Karena Evans
youtu.be/sNY_2TEmzho?...
📍 Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles
🖌️ Modernism, Brutalism
📐 John C. Portman, Jr.
🎥 Karena Evans
youtu.be/sNY_2TEmzho?...
Kendrick Lamar & SZA - luther
YouTube video by KendrickLamarVEVO
youtu.be
April 12, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Here for using architecture to inform creation — and being creative in one’s use of architecture.
📍 Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles
🖌️ Modernism, Brutalism
📐 John C. Portman, Jr.
🎥 Karena Evans
youtu.be/sNY_2TEmzho?...
📍 Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles
🖌️ Modernism, Brutalism
📐 John C. Portman, Jr.
🎥 Karena Evans
youtu.be/sNY_2TEmzho?...
What’s wild is that we know this administration doesn’t care about antisemitism. At all.
April 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
What’s wild is that we know this administration doesn’t care about antisemitism. At all.
I thought I’d be thrilled to submit my dissertation to my committee but the response has been mostly “I guess I can dive into more Apple TV shows now.”
April 7, 2025 at 11:11 PM
I thought I’d be thrilled to submit my dissertation to my committee but the response has been mostly “I guess I can dive into more Apple TV shows now.”
Someone sent me the recent update re: race and the LDS Church and…it’s a lot.
I hope that it is helpful for people who wanted the LDS Church to be more candid about the Priesthood and temple restrictions.
I hope that it is helpful for people who wanted the LDS Church to be more candid about the Priesthood and temple restrictions.
March 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Someone sent me the recent update re: race and the LDS Church and…it’s a lot.
I hope that it is helpful for people who wanted the LDS Church to be more candid about the Priesthood and temple restrictions.
I hope that it is helpful for people who wanted the LDS Church to be more candid about the Priesthood and temple restrictions.