jbessmor
@jbessmor.bsky.social
Ph.D., history of slavery & gendered violence. Moved here from the other place. Navigating finishing a book. In solidarity with other researchers who have lost funding. Dog person, obviously.
Reposted by jbessmor
Yes he was handsome. But give some credit to the meticulous attention his wife Anna Murray Douglass paid to his care, his home, & the presentation of his garments. It was Anna, a free woman who he met in Baltimore, who out of her meager savings gave FD the money for his train ride to escape.
February 14, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Yes he was handsome. But give some credit to the meticulous attention his wife Anna Murray Douglass paid to his care, his home, & the presentation of his garments. It was Anna, a free woman who he met in Baltimore, who out of her meager savings gave FD the money for his train ride to escape.
Quick but important question: what are the current guidelines/practices on including on a CV fellowships that a candidate had to decline? What about fellowships that were cancelled due to funding issues (such as 2025's NEH cancellations)?#AcademicJobs #Academia
February 14, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Quick but important question: what are the current guidelines/practices on including on a CV fellowships that a candidate had to decline? What about fellowships that were cancelled due to funding issues (such as 2025's NEH cancellations)?#AcademicJobs #Academia
Reposted by jbessmor
#OTD, February 14th, we recognize the birthday of abolitionist, orator, publisher, statesman Frederick Douglass, born in 1818 in Maryland. Douglass, formerly enslaved, had no birth record but February 14th was his "chosen" birthday. He remembered that his mother had called him "little Valentine."
February 14, 2026 at 3:52 PM
#OTD, February 14th, we recognize the birthday of abolitionist, orator, publisher, statesman Frederick Douglass, born in 1818 in Maryland. Douglass, formerly enslaved, had no birth record but February 14th was his "chosen" birthday. He remembered that his mother had called him "little Valentine."
Reposted by jbessmor
How to end an interview:
In 1889, Frederick Douglass told a visitor to his DC home that any government that would "grant the right of suffrage and deny itself the power to protect that right is...a sham and a fraud."
Then he grabbed his violin and played the Star Spangled Banner.
In 1889, Frederick Douglass told a visitor to his DC home that any government that would "grant the right of suffrage and deny itself the power to protect that right is...a sham and a fraud."
Then he grabbed his violin and played the Star Spangled Banner.
February 14, 2026 at 4:01 PM
How to end an interview:
In 1889, Frederick Douglass told a visitor to his DC home that any government that would "grant the right of suffrage and deny itself the power to protect that right is...a sham and a fraud."
Then he grabbed his violin and played the Star Spangled Banner.
In 1889, Frederick Douglass told a visitor to his DC home that any government that would "grant the right of suffrage and deny itself the power to protect that right is...a sham and a fraud."
Then he grabbed his violin and played the Star Spangled Banner.
Reposted by jbessmor
👇🎯 Periodic reminder that the right-wing career/salary talking points about the liberal arts are belied by huge piles of data (e.g., news.wisc.edu/new-data-on-...), & the complicity of Democrats & university administrators in repeating those right-wing talking points is a major part of then problem.
January 4, 2024 at 1:22 PM
👇🎯 Periodic reminder that the right-wing career/salary talking points about the liberal arts are belied by huge piles of data (e.g., news.wisc.edu/new-data-on-...), & the complicity of Democrats & university administrators in repeating those right-wing talking points is a major part of then problem.
Reposted by jbessmor
As a direct result of the obscene actions of Russell Vought and Elon Musk in destroying USAID, we can expect “at least 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030, if the current funding trend continues.
About 2.5 million of those deaths are projected to be children under the age of 5.”
About 2.5 million of those deaths are projected to be children under the age of 5.”
One year on from dismantling of USAID, study projects that global aid cuts could lead to 9.4 million deaths by 2030 | CNN
It’s been one year since the Trump administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with aid cuts leading to the closure of HIV clinics in South Africa, the termination o...
www.cnn.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM
As a direct result of the obscene actions of Russell Vought and Elon Musk in destroying USAID, we can expect “at least 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030, if the current funding trend continues.
About 2.5 million of those deaths are projected to be children under the age of 5.”
About 2.5 million of those deaths are projected to be children under the age of 5.”
"Meaning comes from understanding what those events signified for the people who lived them and for the world they left in their wake."
Our next The American Revolution documentary post on Ep. 2, "An Asylum for Mankind," is live!
In "Ken Burn's Inevitable Revolution," Helena Yoo-Roth unpacks the significance and need for "interpretation" in history.
Read this and others on the #JERPano: thepanorama.shear.org/2026/02/12/i...
In "Ken Burn's Inevitable Revolution," Helena Yoo-Roth unpacks the significance and need for "interpretation" in history.
Read this and others on the #JERPano: thepanorama.shear.org/2026/02/12/i...
Ken Burns’s Inevitable Revolution
Helena Yoo-Roth explores the second episode of Ken Burns’s American Revolution.
thepanorama.shear.org
February 12, 2026 at 11:53 PM
"Meaning comes from understanding what those events signified for the people who lived them and for the world they left in their wake."
Reposted by jbessmor
PLEASE REPOST 🥺🙏
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
February 9, 2026 at 5:36 PM
PLEASE REPOST 🥺🙏
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
"'Unfortunately, this assault — and the embarrassing actions around it — make it clear these centers aren’t really about encouraging civil discourse and intellectual diversity.'"
yeah, that Chronicle article is missing a *lot* of important context. Unsurprisingly, local coverage is better at explaining what happened and why - it's connected to the new legally mandated center for promoting conservative politics that is paying Gee to be at OSU this year
A Chase Center affiliate assaulted a journalist trying to interview Gordon Gee. See @dispatch.com coverage of the incident, which includes our statement.
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
February 12, 2026 at 3:24 PM
"'Unfortunately, this assault — and the embarrassing actions around it — make it clear these centers aren’t really about encouraging civil discourse and intellectual diversity.'"
Any suggestions for the most accurate historical inflation currency converter? Looking for late 18th/early 19th Caribbean--source references dollars.
February 11, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Any suggestions for the most accurate historical inflation currency converter? Looking for late 18th/early 19th Caribbean--source references dollars.
Reposted by jbessmor
Join us on Tuesday 10 February for the 2026 Global History Lecture, hosted in partnership with @ghilondon.bsky.social
Prof. Vinita Damodaran will speak on 'Decolonising the Natural History Collections of Empire' bit.ly/4qLCaYB
Booking for in-person & online attendance is now open #Skystorians
Prof. Vinita Damodaran will speak on 'Decolonising the Natural History Collections of Empire' bit.ly/4qLCaYB
Booking for in-person & online attendance is now open #Skystorians
2026 Global History Lecture, with the German Historical Institute, London - RHS
On Tuesday 10 February, the Society hosts its annual Global History Lecture, in partnership with the German Historical Institute, London. This year we are delighted to welcome Professor Vinita Damodar...
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Join us on Tuesday 10 February for the 2026 Global History Lecture, hosted in partnership with @ghilondon.bsky.social
Prof. Vinita Damodaran will speak on 'Decolonising the Natural History Collections of Empire' bit.ly/4qLCaYB
Booking for in-person & online attendance is now open #Skystorians
Prof. Vinita Damodaran will speak on 'Decolonising the Natural History Collections of Empire' bit.ly/4qLCaYB
Booking for in-person & online attendance is now open #Skystorians
Reposted by jbessmor
ICYMI
Good morning. The President of the United States was in the middle of the most serious child sex trafficking ring of the last quarter century.
He is referenced not a dozen times in the case files. Not 100 times. Not 1,000 times. He’s referenced 38,000 times.
He is referenced not a dozen times in the case files. Not 100 times. Not 1,000 times. He’s referenced 38,000 times.
February 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
ICYMI
Reposted by jbessmor
Did You Know: More than 90% of hotels in the United States refused to take reservations from Black guests? The Green Book Project tells the story Black travel during Jim Crow. Share your story and contribute to the Community Map: greenbookproject.osu.edu
#GreenBookProject #CommunityMap #EconSky
#GreenBookProject #CommunityMap #EconSky
February 9, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Did You Know: More than 90% of hotels in the United States refused to take reservations from Black guests? The Green Book Project tells the story Black travel during Jim Crow. Share your story and contribute to the Community Map: greenbookproject.osu.edu
#GreenBookProject #CommunityMap #EconSky
#GreenBookProject #CommunityMap #EconSky
Reposted by jbessmor
Small dog suffers broken rib after being repeatedly kicked by U.S. Marshals deputy. "Action News 5 obtained two videos that show the marshals service employee kicking Yoshi not once, but twice." www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/07/d...
Dog kicked by Memphis Safe Task Force member on the mend as US Marshals defend action
The dog’s owner told Action News 5 that the deputy U.S. marshal seen punting her pup had no reason to do so, but officials with the U.S. Marshals Service say otherwise.
www.actionnews5.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Small dog suffers broken rib after being repeatedly kicked by U.S. Marshals deputy. "Action News 5 obtained two videos that show the marshals service employee kicking Yoshi not once, but twice." www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/07/d...
"Within that single frame is an act of maternal care that most people would never notice in real time, alongside a quiet reminder of how much of the natural world exists just beyond human perception."
February 7, 2026 at 3:44 PM
"Within that single frame is an act of maternal care that most people would never notice in real time, alongside a quiet reminder of how much of the natural world exists just beyond human perception."
Reposted by jbessmor
Today, February 7, 2026, is officially the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week and the 50th anniversary of Black History Month.
Carter G Woodson purposely started Negro History Week on February 7th so that it would end on February 14th, which is Frederick Douglass's birthday
Carter G Woodson purposely started Negro History Week on February 7th so that it would end on February 14th, which is Frederick Douglass's birthday
February 7, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Today, February 7, 2026, is officially the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week and the 50th anniversary of Black History Month.
Carter G Woodson purposely started Negro History Week on February 7th so that it would end on February 14th, which is Frederick Douglass's birthday
Carter G Woodson purposely started Negro History Week on February 7th so that it would end on February 14th, which is Frederick Douglass's birthday
Reposted by jbessmor
This pup found a stick shaped like an old timey pipe earlier today and has already solved three mysteries. 13/10
February 4, 2026 at 9:59 PM
This pup found a stick shaped like an old timey pipe earlier today and has already solved three mysteries. 13/10
www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/mea...
"[Measles vaccine] is about 93% effective [...]after one dose and about 97% effective after two doses."
"[Measles vaccine] is about 93% effective [...]after one dose and about 97% effective after two doses."
February 6, 2026 at 3:15 PM
www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/mea...
"[Measles vaccine] is about 93% effective [...]after one dose and about 97% effective after two doses."
"[Measles vaccine] is about 93% effective [...]after one dose and about 97% effective after two doses."
Reposted by jbessmor
Learned about the depressing trend of describing books as TL;DR (Too Long, Didn't Read) at a conference last weekend.
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
The Tame and the Wild — Harvard University Press
A dramatic new interpretation of the encounter between Europe and the Americas that reveals the crucial role of animals in the shaping of the modern world.When the men and women of the island of Guana...
www.hup.harvard.edu
February 6, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Learned about the depressing trend of describing books as TL;DR (Too Long, Didn't Read) at a conference last weekend.
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
Instead, I propose LR;WI (Long Read and Worth It). What are some long books that you read recently and enjoyed? I'll start: 🗃️
www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
Reposted by jbessmor
“With this decision, Governor Stitt has made Oklahoma less attractive to highly qualified educators & has weakened the institutions that provide the most accessible & affordable education to its residents—at real cost to students, communities, & the democratic & economic future of the state.”
February 6, 2026 at 2:39 PM
“With this decision, Governor Stitt has made Oklahoma less attractive to highly qualified educators & has weakened the institutions that provide the most accessible & affordable education to its residents—at real cost to students, communities, & the democratic & economic future of the state.”
Reposted by jbessmor
Read the Art Newspaper's piece about the growth of the Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama.
Alabama advocacy group expands its historical sites
After building a museum, memorial and sculpture park, the Equal Justice Initiative opens a new site celebrating Civil Rights Era resistance in Montgomery
www.theartnewspaper.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Read the Art Newspaper's piece about the growth of the Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama.
Reposted by jbessmor
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by jbessmor
This is Porter. He does not know why this odd-looking hamster keeps trying to fight him. Only a little bit worried about his ankles. 12/10 for both (TT: ashleydawn406)
February 4, 2026 at 4:43 PM
This is Porter. He does not know why this odd-looking hamster keeps trying to fight him. Only a little bit worried about his ankles. 12/10 for both (TT: ashleydawn406)