Clint Smith
@clintsmithiii.bsky.social
Author of How the Word Is Passed, Above Ground, and Counting Descent. Writer, The Atlantic.
Admittedly, I’ve never been a huge Star Wars guy, but I just finished season one of Andor and holy moly what a show. Talk about television that speaks to the moment. Those last three episodes in particular will stick with me for a long time.
February 1, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Admittedly, I’ve never been a huge Star Wars guy, but I just finished season one of Andor and holy moly what a show. Talk about television that speaks to the moment. Those last three episodes in particular will stick with me for a long time.
Weekends are always better when they start with an Arsenal win
January 31, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Weekends are always better when they start with an Arsenal win
The survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre “became, late in life, the subject of national recognition, because that’s what America is good at—celebrating survivors of the harm the country allowed, not compensating for the misfortune it has caused.”
What America Lost When It Lost Mother Fletcher
With nearly all of the victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre now dead, the country must find other ways to rectify its wrongs.
www.theatlantic.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:02 AM
The survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre “became, late in life, the subject of national recognition, because that’s what America is good at—celebrating survivors of the harm the country allowed, not compensating for the misfortune it has caused.”
Reposted by Clint Smith
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Clint Smith
The Atlantic's Clint Smith (@clintsmithiii.bsky.social) visited the Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama—spaces that he says "shows what's possible when museums aren't subject to capricious executive orders."
Those Who Try to Erase History Will Fail
Montgomery shows what’s possible when museums aren’t subject to capricious executive orders.
www.theatlantic.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The Atlantic's Clint Smith (@clintsmithiii.bsky.social) visited the Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama—spaces that he says "shows what's possible when museums aren't subject to capricious executive orders."
Reposted by Clint Smith
For so long, history of slavery was censored, incl. role of U.S. presidents. After years of organizing, incl. #BlackLivesMatter, schools & public places started reckoning w/ truth telling. Read "How the Word Is Passed" by @clintsmithiii.bsky.social
www.zinnedproject.org/materials/ho...
Now . . . 🧵
www.zinnedproject.org/materials/ho...
Now . . . 🧵
January 24, 2026 at 5:13 AM
For so long, history of slavery was censored, incl. role of U.S. presidents. After years of organizing, incl. #BlackLivesMatter, schools & public places started reckoning w/ truth telling. Read "How the Word Is Passed" by @clintsmithiii.bsky.social
www.zinnedproject.org/materials/ho...
Now . . . 🧵
www.zinnedproject.org/materials/ho...
Now . . . 🧵
They kill. They lie. They repeat.
January 24, 2026 at 11:34 PM
They kill. They lie. They repeat.
Reposted by Clint Smith
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
January 24, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
Reposted by Clint Smith
“all I hear is the wind slapping against the gravestones of those who did not make it…” - @clintsmithiii.bsky.social
Perfectly expressed, @clintsmithiii.bsky.social.
January 24, 2026 at 4:54 PM
“all I hear is the wind slapping against the gravestones of those who did not make it…” - @clintsmithiii.bsky.social
The work being done by these observers of ICE to document, illuminate, and share what is being done in Minneapolis, in below freezing temperatures, given all that has transpired is so remarkably courageous. They are being killed for that courage, as ICE further reveals their cruelty and cowardice.
January 24, 2026 at 9:19 PM
The work being done by these observers of ICE to document, illuminate, and share what is being done in Minneapolis, in below freezing temperatures, given all that has transpired is so remarkably courageous. They are being killed for that courage, as ICE further reveals their cruelty and cowardice.
Reposted by Clint Smith
"Slavery was real"
Tiny sign at the base of a brick wall that, until yesterday, held panels about the people enslaved by George Washington.
Presidents House, Philadelphia.
Tiny sign at the base of a brick wall that, until yesterday, held panels about the people enslaved by George Washington.
Presidents House, Philadelphia.
January 23, 2026 at 3:22 PM
"Slavery was real"
Tiny sign at the base of a brick wall that, until yesterday, held panels about the people enslaved by George Washington.
Presidents House, Philadelphia.
Tiny sign at the base of a brick wall that, until yesterday, held panels about the people enslaved by George Washington.
Presidents House, Philadelphia.
Reposted by Clint Smith
Minnesota is the best of us.
January 23, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Minnesota is the best of us.
While the Trump administration is forcing the National Park Service to remove mentions of slavery from George Washington’s house, sites like the Legacy Museum in Montgomery continue to tell the story of enslavement in a direct, uncompromised way, making clear the connection between past and present.
Those Who Try to Erase History Will Fail
Montgomery shows what’s possible when museums aren’t subject to capricious executive orders.
www.theatlantic.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:42 PM
While the Trump administration is forcing the National Park Service to remove mentions of slavery from George Washington’s house, sites like the Legacy Museum in Montgomery continue to tell the story of enslavement in a direct, uncompromised way, making clear the connection between past and present.
Reposted by Clint Smith
Agreed. I've argued that the "crisis" of the humanities is not about its "irrelevance." Historical memory & scholarship is a threat precisely because of their social & cultural power. That is why history must be suppressed, erased & replaced with politically useful myths: it's too dangerous.
It’s not so much that Trump & co don’t think slavery was important, they want to remove this history precisely *because* of how important it was. They don’t want people to learn about slavery because then people would understand how it continues to shape the landscape of inequality in America today.
Signs about the history of slavery in the U.S. and the 9 people George Washington enslaved are being removed right now at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, across from Independence Hall, months after the Trump administration threatend to do so.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
January 23, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Agreed. I've argued that the "crisis" of the humanities is not about its "irrelevance." Historical memory & scholarship is a threat precisely because of their social & cultural power. That is why history must be suppressed, erased & replaced with politically useful myths: it's too dangerous.
Reposted by Clint Smith
Just three months from today, my book about Americans’ 250 year struggle over slavery’s place in George Washington’s legacy will be out in the world. Some great (and NYT bestselling!) writers have said kind things about it. I hope you’ll consider pre-ordering a copy. bookshop.org/p/books/thy-...
January 7, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Just three months from today, my book about Americans’ 250 year struggle over slavery’s place in George Washington’s legacy will be out in the world. Some great (and NYT bestselling!) writers have said kind things about it. I hope you’ll consider pre-ordering a copy. bookshop.org/p/books/thy-...
John has written an amazing book about Washington and slavery. Highly recommend having him in your show/podcast/newsletter to discuss it.
I know I don't have a ton of media followers, but I'll put this out there anyway: if you need someone to comment/offer context on the removal of the slavery exhibit at the President's House site in Philly, get in touch. I just finished an entire book on Americans' fight over Washington and slavery.
January 23, 2026 at 12:27 AM
John has written an amazing book about Washington and slavery. Highly recommend having him in your show/podcast/newsletter to discuss it.
It’s not so much that Trump & co don’t think slavery was important, they want to remove this history precisely *because* of how important it was. They don’t want people to learn about slavery because then people would understand how it continues to shape the landscape of inequality in America today.
Signs about the history of slavery in the U.S. and the 9 people George Washington enslaved are being removed right now at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, across from Independence Hall, months after the Trump administration threatend to do so.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
January 22, 2026 at 10:19 PM
It’s not so much that Trump & co don’t think slavery was important, they want to remove this history precisely *because* of how important it was. They don’t want people to learn about slavery because then people would understand how it continues to shape the landscape of inequality in America today.
I think it can easy to take for granted that just a few years ago, Arsenal was essentially a mid table team who couldn’t even get into European competition. Now we’re undefeated in the Champions League and winning convincingly away at San Siro. Genuinely amazing what Arteta & co have built.
January 20, 2026 at 10:01 PM
I think it can easy to take for granted that just a few years ago, Arsenal was essentially a mid table team who couldn’t even get into European competition. Now we’re undefeated in the Champions League and winning convincingly away at San Siro. Genuinely amazing what Arteta & co have built.
That was a fantastic ball from Martinelli
January 20, 2026 at 9:46 PM
That was a fantastic ball from Martinelli
Reposted by Clint Smith
In December, I traveled to Montgomery to visit the Legacy Museum, which traces the story of Black America from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration. I wanted to understand how the museum & its affiliated sites were operating in a moment where so much of the history they present is under attack.
The Power of Private Museums
The Equal Justice Initiative’s historical sites in Montgomery, Alabama, show what’s possible when history isn’t subject to federal funding cuts or executive orders.
www.theatlantic.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:35 PM
In December, I traveled to Montgomery to visit the Legacy Museum, which traces the story of Black America from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration. I wanted to understand how the museum & its affiliated sites were operating in a moment where so much of the history they present is under attack.
Reposted by Clint Smith
The Legacy Museum, which is “perhaps the closest thing America has to a national slavery museum,” is free from government control and displays the “history that the Trump administration aims to de-emphasize—if not outright erase,” @clintsmithiii.bsky.social argues.
The Power of Private Museums
The Equal Justice Initiative’s historical sites in Montgomery, Alabama, show what’s possible when history isn’t subject to federal funding cuts or executive orders.
bit.ly
January 19, 2026 at 3:45 PM
The Legacy Museum, which is “perhaps the closest thing America has to a national slavery museum,” is free from government control and displays the “history that the Trump administration aims to de-emphasize—if not outright erase,” @clintsmithiii.bsky.social argues.
In December, I traveled to Montgomery to visit the Legacy Museum, which traces the story of Black America from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration. I wanted to understand how the museum & its affiliated sites were operating in a moment where so much of the history they present is under attack.
The Power of Private Museums
The Equal Justice Initiative’s historical sites in Montgomery, Alabama, show what’s possible when history isn’t subject to federal funding cuts or executive orders.
www.theatlantic.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:35 PM
In December, I traveled to Montgomery to visit the Legacy Museum, which traces the story of Black America from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration. I wanted to understand how the museum & its affiliated sites were operating in a moment where so much of the history they present is under attack.
Nothing like a Man City beat down to start the weekend
January 17, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Nothing like a Man City beat down to start the weekend