Jonathan W. Gray
@elmcitytree.blacksky.app
Professor at CUNY, scholar of Blackness, comics, music, & popular culture writ large, leftist & left handed. 🇰🇳 🇺🇸 🇵🇸 🏳️⚧️
I maintain the Blackademics feed, the scholarly side of #Blacksky
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:w4xbfzo7kqfes5zb7
Personal account
I maintain the Blackademics feed, the scholarly side of #Blacksky
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:w4xbfzo7kqfes5zb7
Personal account
Pinned
Updated the Blackademics starter pack again (!) to include Vincent Brown, Imani Perry, the Harare Review of Books and others. Stay tuned for more developments coming soon....
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
👀
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
👀
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
2025 ed. of James Baldwin Review is out #Free
"One can speak of the fall of an empire at that moment when … no one anywhere aspires to the empire’s standards.
This is the charged dangerous moment when everything must be reexamined, must be made anew…" - J.B.
www.manchesterhive.com/view/journal...
"One can speak of the fall of an empire at that moment when … no one anywhere aspires to the empire’s standards.
This is the charged dangerous moment when everything must be reexamined, must be made anew…" - J.B.
www.manchesterhive.com/view/journal...
November 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
2025 ed. of James Baldwin Review is out #Free
"One can speak of the fall of an empire at that moment when … no one anywhere aspires to the empire’s standards.
This is the charged dangerous moment when everything must be reexamined, must be made anew…" - J.B.
www.manchesterhive.com/view/journal...
"One can speak of the fall of an empire at that moment when … no one anywhere aspires to the empire’s standards.
This is the charged dangerous moment when everything must be reexamined, must be made anew…" - J.B.
www.manchesterhive.com/view/journal...
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
"We know that air and water belong to all mankind and not merely to industrialists." - James Baldwin, 1970.
(The year the US EPA was created.)
(The year the US EPA was created.)
Every paragraph is a banger. I’m so happy right now. Sometimes you find a piece of writing just when you need it.
November 25, 2025 at 8:23 AM
"We know that air and water belong to all mankind and not merely to industrialists." - James Baldwin, 1970.
(The year the US EPA was created.)
(The year the US EPA was created.)
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Finally. My big 2800 word essay about One Battle After Another and its black women characters is live. www.vulture.com/article/blac...
Black Actresses Are Carrying One Battle After Another
Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, and Regina Hall propel the film’s most conflicted ideas, for better and worse.
www.vulture.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Finally. My big 2800 word essay about One Battle After Another and its black women characters is live. www.vulture.com/article/blac...
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Honored to serve on Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social Transition Committee on Technology. For too long, too many New Yorkers have been left behind. NYC deserves governance that centers affordability, equity, and the public good-looking forward to the work ahead. www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announces transition committees
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Monday the creation of 17 transition advisory committees made up of more than 400 people.
www.cbsnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Honored to serve on Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social Transition Committee on Technology. For too long, too many New Yorkers have been left behind. NYC deserves governance that centers affordability, equity, and the public good-looking forward to the work ahead. www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
👀 Alex Vitale is a sociologist who wrote a very good book called The End of Policing.
I'm excited to announce that I have been asked to join the Mamdani Transition Team to work on community safety issues. A New Era for NYC.
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
👀 Alex Vitale is a sociologist who wrote a very good book called The End of Policing.
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
So @alexvitale.bsky.social, who wrote THE END OF POLICING (which I cite heavily in my forthcoming book THE OVERSEER CLASS), has been tapped to join Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s Transition Team to work on “community safety issues.”
This is an extremely promising development.
This is an extremely promising development.
November 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
So @alexvitale.bsky.social, who wrote THE END OF POLICING (which I cite heavily in my forthcoming book THE OVERSEER CLASS), has been tapped to join Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s Transition Team to work on “community safety issues.”
This is an extremely promising development.
This is an extremely promising development.
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
This is how I look when I see her, so I get it.
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
This is how I look when I see her, so I get it.
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
1/2. After California passed a law to curb legacy and donor admissions at colleges and universities, Stanford decided to stop accepting funding from state student aid programs “in order to comply with recent California legislation.”
www.highereddive.com/news/stanfor...
www.highereddive.com/news/stanfor...
Stanford says no to state student aid, yes to legacy and donor admissions
The highly selective university will forgo California financial aid for students to circumvent a new law aimed at curbing the admissions practices.
www.highereddive.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:59 PM
1/2. After California passed a law to curb legacy and donor admissions at colleges and universities, Stanford decided to stop accepting funding from state student aid programs “in order to comply with recent California legislation.”
www.highereddive.com/news/stanfor...
www.highereddive.com/news/stanfor...
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
I would love this in patty version 😂
Haitian and Jamaican patties, empanadas, samosas, etc., from everywhere
Haitian and Jamaican patties, empanadas, samosas, etc., from everywhere
My million-dollar idea is a restaurant that only serves dumplings from all over the world
gyoza-only restaurant when
November 24, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I would love this in patty version 😂
Haitian and Jamaican patties, empanadas, samosas, etc., from everywhere
Haitian and Jamaican patties, empanadas, samosas, etc., from everywhere
These fools yearn for the fictional world of Don Draper.
November 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
These fools yearn for the fictional world of Don Draper.
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Greatest city on the planet, baby.
One of my favorite things is getting to tell friends who are new to NYC that the subway "stand clear of the closing doors please" voice is a trans woman named Bernie Wagenblast and she's amazing.
November 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Greatest city on the planet, baby.
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Elon Musk’s latest feature on X has had some shocking and unintended consequences. trib.al/wFuPXVp
Starting Friday, X users were able to use a new “about this account” feature to see what country accounts were based in. And for many “America First” posters, this revealed an inconvenient truth...
Starting Friday, X users were able to use a new “about this account” feature to see what country accounts were based in. And for many “America First” posters, this revealed an inconvenient truth...
Many Top MAGA Trolls Aren’t Even in the U.S.
Elon Musk’s new X feature has been very revealing.
trib.al
November 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Elon Musk’s latest feature on X has had some shocking and unintended consequences. trib.al/wFuPXVp
Starting Friday, X users were able to use a new “about this account” feature to see what country accounts were based in. And for many “America First” posters, this revealed an inconvenient truth...
Starting Friday, X users were able to use a new “about this account” feature to see what country accounts were based in. And for many “America First” posters, this revealed an inconvenient truth...
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
It’s blowing my mind that schools, universities, public services would run headlong into this. We spent 15 years documenting black boxes. This is a black box in a black hole!
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
November 23, 2025 at 11:16 PM
It’s blowing my mind that schools, universities, public services would run headlong into this. We spent 15 years documenting black boxes. This is a black box in a black hole!
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
It's TOMORROW.
Imani Perry and Tananarive Due discuss a titan of Afrofuturist fiction, Octavie E. Butler, and her masterwork,
"Lilith’s Brood: The Xenogenesis Trilogy". My favorite is"Dawn"
Mon, Nov 24 from 6- 7pm EST
Online, Free
Imani Perry and Tananarive Due discuss a titan of Afrofuturist fiction, Octavie E. Butler, and her masterwork,
"Lilith’s Brood: The Xenogenesis Trilogy". My favorite is"Dawn"
Mon, Nov 24 from 6- 7pm EST
Online, Free
Next Monday, 11/24, two celebrated writers and scholars explore the craft and influence of Octavia E. Butler. Join @imaniperry.bsky.social and @tananarivedue.bsky.social for an evening dedicated to the revered SFF author’s luminous imagination. RSVP for free: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-radica...
November 24, 2025 at 1:38 AM
It's TOMORROW.
Imani Perry and Tananarive Due discuss a titan of Afrofuturist fiction, Octavie E. Butler, and her masterwork,
"Lilith’s Brood: The Xenogenesis Trilogy". My favorite is"Dawn"
Mon, Nov 24 from 6- 7pm EST
Online, Free
Imani Perry and Tananarive Due discuss a titan of Afrofuturist fiction, Octavie E. Butler, and her masterwork,
"Lilith’s Brood: The Xenogenesis Trilogy". My favorite is"Dawn"
Mon, Nov 24 from 6- 7pm EST
Online, Free
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Do I know anyone who works at GitHub anymore? Our redirect has stopped working and people are freaking out. (Repo moved several months ago, but the redirect was fine up until today.)
a man in a suit and tie is saying help help
Alt: a man in a suit and tie is saying help help
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Do I know anyone who works at GitHub anymore? Our redirect has stopped working and people are freaking out. (Repo moved several months ago, but the redirect was fine up until today.)
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81
Star of The Harder They Come had hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want and I Can See Clearly Now
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
i have no idea why this man wants to be funny... nor do i believe he knows what humor is
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
i have no idea why this man wants to be funny... nor do i believe he knows what humor is
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Morning soundtrack.
Grew up on his music, and was lucky enough to see him live in the late 80s in Berkeley. I've rarely seen a performer bring so much energy to the stage, and he left it all there.
What a loss.
Grew up on his music, and was lucky enough to see him live in the late 80s in Berkeley. I've rarely seen a performer bring so much energy to the stage, and he left it all there.
What a loss.
Jimmy Cliff- Many Rivers To Cross
YouTube video by rockyfl86
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Morning soundtrack.
Grew up on his music, and was lucky enough to see him live in the late 80s in Berkeley. I've rarely seen a performer bring so much energy to the stage, and he left it all there.
What a loss.
Grew up on his music, and was lucky enough to see him live in the late 80s in Berkeley. I've rarely seen a performer bring so much energy to the stage, and he left it all there.
What a loss.
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
Elon Musk Facts:
Since Elon Musk don't actually have a tongue, he tastes with his feet.
Since Elon Musk don't actually have a tongue, he tastes with his feet.
November 24, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Elon Musk Facts:
Since Elon Musk don't actually have a tongue, he tastes with his feet.
Since Elon Musk don't actually have a tongue, he tastes with his feet.
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
17 strikes and you’re out. 💀
November 23, 2025 at 4:48 PM
17 strikes and you’re out. 💀
Reposted by Jonathan W. Gray
these people basically just take luxury government jets and go to fancy events like make a wish kids while their minions flashbang your elderly neighbors
November 23, 2025 at 4:26 AM
these people basically just take luxury government jets and go to fancy events like make a wish kids while their minions flashbang your elderly neighbors