Dr. Vaughn Joy
@gvaughnjoy.bsky.social
UCL PhD in Christmas Film History • MA in Comic Books • MPhil in Demons • Creator of https://blackwhiteandread.com/ • Author of Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy (2025) • Wife of My Favorite Person • she/her
Pinned
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Yep, but you're in luck--now there's a place to send that stuff too! bsky.app/profile/gvau...
🚨 ATTENTION PUBLIC SCHOLARS 🚨
As an end of year special #ScholarSunday thread, @americanstudier.bsky.social and I would like to share your favorite pieces from the year, especially if they're yours!
Did an essay or podcast episode blow you away with pride or brilliance? Please email us!
As an end of year special #ScholarSunday thread, @americanstudier.bsky.social and I would like to share your favorite pieces from the year, especially if they're yours!
Did an essay or podcast episode blow you away with pride or brilliance? Please email us!
Announcements
If you have a talk coming up, a book on its way, a podcast trailer to drop, or an accomplishment to celebrate, we want to help you share it!
blackwhiteandread.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Yep, but you're in luck--now there's a place to send that stuff too! bsky.app/profile/gvau...
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
November 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A vital holiday read for everyone interested in how our cultural & political forces intersect, for worse but also for the better we're fighting for. @hcrichardson.bsky.social 🗃️
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...
Publications by Non-Tenure-Track Historians
Since we began publishing in 2019, Contingent has published end-of-year lists of books and articles by non-tenure-track historians released in the past calendar year. To submit something for inclusion...
contingentmagazine.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy is about how uniquely American cultural media changed as a result of federal influences on Hollywood in the 40s/50s.
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
I fought for Open Access because media & propaganda literacy are essential right now.
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Or, if the price is too much (it is $44 pre-discount, so I get it!), but you like the work and want to contribute what you can, my venmo is here.
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
Venmo | Vaughn Joy
Venmo is a digital wallet that lets you make and share payments with friends. You can easily split the bill, cab fare, or much more. Download the iOS or Android app or sign up on Venmo.com today.
venmo.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Or, if the price is too much (it is $44 pre-discount, so I get it!), but you like the work and want to contribute what you can, my venmo is here.
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
I hate to do this, but this job market is brutal, and so I fully understand if you just want to read the book for free! I fought for OA for that reason!
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Selling Out Santa
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34 th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My new & first book, Selling Out Santa, is Open Access!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
If you like what you read and can, please consider buying a copy for you and maybe one for a history/film lover at Christmas (it's 40% off)!
It'll likely be my only income in over 2 years once royalties pay next July, so please consider it!
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
PS. & one more time, we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including & especially your own of course!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Announcements
If you have a talk coming up, a book on its way, a podcast trailer to drop, or an accomplishment to celebrate, we want to help you share it!
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
PS. & one more time, we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including & especially your own of course!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
PSA:
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 PM
PSA:
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
Don't forget to make a plan for thawing your turkey in time for Thursday if it's frozen!
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
A reminder as we enter the holiday season:
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
There’s nothing normal about expecting family members to be in the same room when one has abused the other. This is abnormal. This is harmful. This is perpetuating more abusive patterns. When you elevate family traditions over protecting the abused, you are re-creating the abuse
November 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
A reminder as we enter the holiday season:
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
A reminder as we enter the holiday season:
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
There’s nothing normal about expecting family members to be in the same room when one has abused the other. This is abnormal. This is harmful. This is perpetuating more abusive patterns. When you elevate family traditions over protecting the abused, you are re-creating the abuse
November 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
A reminder as we enter the holiday season:
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
You celebrate in whatever ways make you feel comfortable, loved, and bright through winter, even if that means not observing holidays in a traditional sense or at all. You protect you, darlings, and have a wonderful wintertime ❄️
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Thanks, Ben. Add your recs, folks.
What a great way to close out the year!
“First, a note that we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including your own of course!”
What a great way to close out the year!
“First, a note that we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including your own of course!”
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Thanks, Ben. Add your recs, folks.
What a great way to close out the year!
“First, a note that we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including your own of course!”
What a great way to close out the year!
“First, a note that we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including your own of course!”
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
First, a note that we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including your own of course!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Announcements
If you have a talk coming up, a book on its way, a podcast trailer to drop, or an accomplishment to celebrate, we want to help you share it!
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
First, a note that we’ll be compiling a year-end meta-thread featuring some of the best public scholarly pieces & work from 2025. Check out the call here & please share nominations, including your own of course!
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 251 (11/23/25) – Black and White and Read All Over
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week...
blackwhiteandread.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
With the semiquincentennial behind us, launching the next 250 with my 251st #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Last week, we saw Clash by Night (1952) at the @brattletheatre.bsky.social as part of their Noirvember series, so this week I reviewed it, analyzing the opposing portrayals of masculinity in the film by way of ethnic stereotypes it embraces.
And I concluded that Jerry is the realest one. 10/10 guy
And I concluded that Jerry is the realest one. 10/10 guy
The Worst Guy You've Ever Met vs. The Realest – Black and White and Read All Over
A Race & Ethnicity Approach to Clash by Night (1952)
blackwhiteandread.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Last week, we saw Clash by Night (1952) at the @brattletheatre.bsky.social as part of their Noirvember series, so this week I reviewed it, analyzing the opposing portrayals of masculinity in the film by way of ethnic stereotypes it embraces.
And I concluded that Jerry is the realest one. 10/10 guy
And I concluded that Jerry is the realest one. 10/10 guy
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
Zohran after devouring an overdone steak slathered in ketchup & three filet of fish sandwiches in front of Trump:
"Look at me. Look at me. I'm the President now."
"Look at me. Look at me. I'm the President now."
November 21, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Zohran after devouring an overdone steak slathered in ketchup & three filet of fish sandwiches in front of Trump:
"Look at me. Look at me. I'm the President now."
"Look at me. Look at me. I'm the President now."
I study media manipulations of Christmas. I just wrote a book about it. Commercialism & conservatism are at the heart of it, twisting people's perceptions of beloved iconography for politics & profit.
And even I am shocked at just how morally bankrupt Fox's pseudo-AI profit scheme is here. Bold.
And even I am shocked at just how morally bankrupt Fox's pseudo-AI profit scheme is here. Bold.
Kristen Bell and Brian Cox among actors shocked they’re attached to Fox News podcast
The 52-episode Christian podcast was announced with a number of actors involved yet many claim they had no idea about it
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I study media manipulations of Christmas. I just wrote a book about it. Commercialism & conservatism are at the heart of it, twisting people's perceptions of beloved iconography for politics & profit.
And even I am shocked at just how morally bankrupt Fox's pseudo-AI profit scheme is here. Bold.
And even I am shocked at just how morally bankrupt Fox's pseudo-AI profit scheme is here. Bold.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
As I work on finalizing the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, we're also going to be collecting public scholarship from across 2025 for a year-end mega-thread. Check out the call & submit favorites (including your own work!) for inclusion in that thread, thanks! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Announcements
If you have a talk coming up, a book on its way, a podcast trailer to drop, or an accomplishment to celebrate, we want to help you share it!
blackwhiteandread.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:40 PM
As I work on finalizing the upcoming #ScholarSunday thread, we're also going to be collecting public scholarship from across 2025 for a year-end mega-thread. Check out the call & submit favorites (including your own work!) for inclusion in that thread, thanks! 🗃️
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
blackwhiteandread.com/announcements/
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
It's been a big week for me.
On Monday, @degruyterbrill.bsky.social published my first book, Selling Out Santa, which was a development of my PhD thesis which I defended one year ago today. It's been a long and difficult year since then, but I'm taking today to be proud of those two achievements.
On Monday, @degruyterbrill.bsky.social published my first book, Selling Out Santa, which was a development of my PhD thesis which I defended one year ago today. It's been a long and difficult year since then, but I'm taking today to be proud of those two achievements.
Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy|Hardcover
Christmas is not just a day or a frame of mind as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) imparts in Miracle on 34th Street (1947); Christmas is also a vehicle for national mythmaking as an idealising mirror for ...
www.barnesandnoble.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It's been a big week for me.
On Monday, @degruyterbrill.bsky.social published my first book, Selling Out Santa, which was a development of my PhD thesis which I defended one year ago today. It's been a long and difficult year since then, but I'm taking today to be proud of those two achievements.
On Monday, @degruyterbrill.bsky.social published my first book, Selling Out Santa, which was a development of my PhD thesis which I defended one year ago today. It's been a long and difficult year since then, but I'm taking today to be proud of those two achievements.
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
It’s that time of year again folks! Time to round up family and friends (or just your favorite hankie) and head on down to The Brattle for our annual screenings of this Yuletide classic. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE screens on 35mm December 12–15. Learn more: brattlefilm.org/movies/its-a-wonderful-life/
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
It’s that time of year again folks! Time to round up family and friends (or just your favorite hankie) and head on down to The Brattle for our annual screenings of this Yuletide classic. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE screens on 35mm December 12–15. Learn more: brattlefilm.org/movies/its-a-wonderful-life/
Reposted by Dr. Vaughn Joy
@gvaughnjoy.bsky.social joins me for an eye opening discussion about mid 20th centuryChristmas movies.
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
@gvaughnjoy.bsky.social joins me for an eye opening discussion about mid 20th centuryChristmas movies.
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas
Her new book is Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy
#ChristmasMovies #ItsAWonderfulLife #ClassicChristmasMovies #ChristmasPodcast
#MidCenturyChristmas