Benjamin Balthaser
@blbalthaser.bsky.social
Assoc prof of multiethnic US lit; au of Dedication (2011), Anti-Imperialist Modernism (2016), Citizens of the Whole World: Anti-Zionism & the Cultures of the US Jewish Left (2025). He/him. 🕎🌹😷🇵🇸Chicago 🐢
https://iusb.academia.edu/BenjaminBalthaser
https://iusb.academia.edu/BenjaminBalthaser
As Ida B Wells and Gwendolyn Brooks reminded us a century ago, the abduction and terrorization of Black men (in MN’s case Somali Americans) is not extricable from the policing and punishing of (defiant and white) women.
January 10, 2026 at 7:29 PM
As Ida B Wells and Gwendolyn Brooks reminded us a century ago, the abduction and terrorization of Black men (in MN’s case Somali Americans) is not extricable from the policing and punishing of (defiant and white) women.
A friend asked if the Trump admin’s accelerating punishments - “moving fast and breaking things” - are a sign of the far-right’s weakness or its strength. Idk. But it’s clear they have assessed the strength of liberalism and decided it can be broken - and they might not be wrong in that
I’ve talked about “internal colonies” of the US, but I never thought the phrase might describe the entire state of MN: but cutting off food is really some colonial-level collective punishment
January 10, 2026 at 6:50 PM
A friend asked if the Trump admin’s accelerating punishments - “moving fast and breaking things” - are a sign of the far-right’s weakness or its strength. Idk. But it’s clear they have assessed the strength of liberalism and decided it can be broken - and they might not be wrong in that
I’ve talked about “internal colonies” of the US, but I never thought the phrase might describe the entire state of MN: but cutting off food is really some colonial-level collective punishment
January 10, 2026 at 4:34 PM
I’ve talked about “internal colonies” of the US, but I never thought the phrase might describe the entire state of MN: but cutting off food is really some colonial-level collective punishment
Reposted by Benjamin Balthaser
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Videos Show How ICE Vehicle Stops Can Escalate to Shootings
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July.
www.wsj.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
After the Fugitive Slave Act, sheriffs in abolitionist counties would arrest slave catchers. I was wondering when law enforcement would begin to uphold the law against ICE: Philadelphia Sheriff will arrest ICE agents who commit crimes, calling them “fake law enforcement”
youtu.be/SMiRLgU7hmA?...
youtu.be/SMiRLgU7hmA?...
Sheriff Rochelle Bilal Condemns Masked, Unlawful Actions and Stands for Real Law Enforcement
YouTube video by Philadelphia Sheriff's Office
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 6:58 PM
After the Fugitive Slave Act, sheriffs in abolitionist counties would arrest slave catchers. I was wondering when law enforcement would begin to uphold the law against ICE: Philadelphia Sheriff will arrest ICE agents who commit crimes, calling them “fake law enforcement”
youtu.be/SMiRLgU7hmA?...
youtu.be/SMiRLgU7hmA?...
No politician who roared about restoring “the classics” ever wanted to pay state salaries for faculty to teach classics. It’s sort of like Am Firsters who say they support “the traditional family” while deporting families. The violence was always the point: a defense of hierarchy not philosophy
January 9, 2026 at 6:26 PM
No politician who roared about restoring “the classics” ever wanted to pay state salaries for faculty to teach classics. It’s sort of like Am Firsters who say they support “the traditional family” while deporting families. The violence was always the point: a defense of hierarchy not philosophy
Reposted by Benjamin Balthaser
portland city council confirms that two portland residents have been shot by federal agents. at this time, the city council has been told that both victims are alive.
January 8, 2026 at 11:47 PM
portland city council confirms that two portland residents have been shot by federal agents. at this time, the city council has been told that both victims are alive.
Avatar is not a good movie, but even in 2009 it was clear that the US was going to invade Venezuela: an oil-rich nation signing deals w China and giving discounted oil shipments to Cuba
January 8, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Avatar is not a good movie, but even in 2009 it was clear that the US was going to invade Venezuela: an oil-rich nation signing deals w China and giving discounted oil shipments to Cuba
Reposted by Benjamin Balthaser
10,000 people honoring Renee Nicole Good
at the site of her murder
at the site of her murder
January 8, 2026 at 3:09 AM
10,000 people honoring Renee Nicole Good
at the site of her murder
at the site of her murder
“ChatGPU Edu” is catchy. Maybe we should just rename the university and make it simple
January 7, 2026 at 9:27 PM
“ChatGPU Edu” is catchy. Maybe we should just rename the university and make it simple
I’ve (unfortunately) watched the video of this woman’s death now several times: she was not trying to “run over agents.” She was blocking ICE agents w her car - to protect ppl targeted by ICE in her city. She was shot as she tried to turn her car away to leave
January 7, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I’ve (unfortunately) watched the video of this woman’s death now several times: she was not trying to “run over agents.” She was blocking ICE agents w her car - to protect ppl targeted by ICE in her city. She was shot as she tried to turn her car away to leave
Reposted by Benjamin Balthaser
Masked ICE agents, it seems, are now killing American citizens on American streets.
Any Democrat who doesn’t support abolishing ICE should be instantly primaried and run out of the party.
This is non negotiable. You cannot support the continued existence of this fascist murderous secret police.
Any Democrat who doesn’t support abolishing ICE should be instantly primaried and run out of the party.
This is non negotiable. You cannot support the continued existence of this fascist murderous secret police.
January 7, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Masked ICE agents, it seems, are now killing American citizens on American streets.
Any Democrat who doesn’t support abolishing ICE should be instantly primaried and run out of the party.
This is non negotiable. You cannot support the continued existence of this fascist murderous secret police.
Any Democrat who doesn’t support abolishing ICE should be instantly primaried and run out of the party.
This is non negotiable. You cannot support the continued existence of this fascist murderous secret police.
Someone in the thread below suggested “ghouling” (a variant on “ghosting”) and I can’t stop thinking that the word is both perfect and also, summarizes so much
Is there a term for when your friend isn't texting you back but is posting on social media
January 7, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Someone in the thread below suggested “ghouling” (a variant on “ghosting”) and I can’t stop thinking that the word is both perfect and also, summarizes so much
Up there, certainly, w genocide in Gaza
Personally I think this was Biden’s single greatest failure
“Covid is over” might be the biggest lie sold to us in a staggering decade of lies
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Up there, certainly, w genocide in Gaza
non-western bourgeoisie 🤝 western bourgeoisie: Marxism is a foreign ideology of rootless cosmopolitan outsiders
January 6, 2026 at 9:06 PM
non-western bourgeoisie 🤝 western bourgeoisie: Marxism is a foreign ideology of rootless cosmopolitan outsiders
“Covid is over” might be the biggest lie sold to us in a staggering decade of lies
January 6, 2026 at 6:18 AM
“Covid is over” might be the biggest lie sold to us in a staggering decade of lies
Newsom promises more competent imperialism. Tbh if these were my only choices, I’d rather have less competent managers of the imperium
January 6, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Newsom promises more competent imperialism. Tbh if these were my only choices, I’d rather have less competent managers of the imperium
Nobody, nobody in the entire world
Netanyahu: this is good for Israel
Netanyahu: this is good for Israel
January 5, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Nobody, nobody in the entire world
Netanyahu: this is good for Israel
Netanyahu: this is good for Israel
That’s funny I could have sworn you were desperate to know Mamdani’s position on Israel/Palestine. I mean it’s all you asked about
January 5, 2026 at 1:34 AM
That’s funny I could have sworn you were desperate to know Mamdani’s position on Israel/Palestine. I mean it’s all you asked about
Reposted by Benjamin Balthaser
The weak response from Can, EU and UN to Trump's flagrant crimes in Venezuela is striking.
It exposes that much of the world has been cowed.
Most notable exception: the Latin American left.
That is why the Trump Admin has gone to enormous lengths to defeat the left across the continent. 1/3
It exposes that much of the world has been cowed.
Most notable exception: the Latin American left.
That is why the Trump Admin has gone to enormous lengths to defeat the left across the continent. 1/3
January 4, 2026 at 6:35 PM
The weak response from Can, EU and UN to Trump's flagrant crimes in Venezuela is striking.
It exposes that much of the world has been cowed.
Most notable exception: the Latin American left.
That is why the Trump Admin has gone to enormous lengths to defeat the left across the continent. 1/3
It exposes that much of the world has been cowed.
Most notable exception: the Latin American left.
That is why the Trump Admin has gone to enormous lengths to defeat the left across the continent. 1/3
The popular juxtaposition of MTG’s strong statement on the US’s invasion of Venezuela w Spreaker Jeffries’ vacillating one may be well intentioned, or might not be, but does tacitly imply the only alternative to neoliberal imperialism is America 1st nationalism. ramirez.house.gov/media/press-...
January 4, 2026 at 7:23 AM
The popular juxtaposition of MTG’s strong statement on the US’s invasion of Venezuela w Spreaker Jeffries’ vacillating one may be well intentioned, or might not be, but does tacitly imply the only alternative to neoliberal imperialism is America 1st nationalism. ramirez.house.gov/media/press-...
Very curious to know when and *how this protest song went from being commonly used to critique imperialism, to more commonly being used to celebrate it?
Trump posts footage of the Maduro raid set to "Fortunate Son" -- a protest song about the Vietnam War draft
January 3, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Very curious to know when and *how this protest song went from being commonly used to critique imperialism, to more commonly being used to celebrate it?
Ask* please, before you go out on your totally reasonable murder-kidnap spree, is the bold and decisive leadership I expect from the Democratic Party
House Minority Leader @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social out with a statement condemning Maduro and demanding that…Congress be briefed:
January 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Ask* please, before you go out on your totally reasonable murder-kidnap spree, is the bold and decisive leadership I expect from the Democratic Party
We live in a society dammit, our consent is supposed to be manufactured
I feel like I haven’t even been properly lied to about the purposes of this war
January 3, 2026 at 10:43 AM
We live in a society dammit, our consent is supposed to be manufactured