johnedwinmason
@johnedwinmason.bsky.social
Historian, curator, walker, player of antique French horns. Photography, music, South Africa. UVA Professor Emeritus.
Pinned
"I hope and trust all will come out right in the end, but the immediate future looks dark and troubled. I cannot shut my eyes to the ugly facts before me."
--Frederick Douglass, Lessons of the Hour, 1894
--Frederick Douglass, Lessons of the Hour, 1894
Wow. I get it. But wow.
"...and felt compelled to explain to my students that there was a time when guitars were important to popular music."
"...and felt compelled to explain to my students that there was a time when guitars were important to popular music."
Today, I presented two scenes from "Sinners" to my 'Race in American Popular Music' course
I related them to readings by Olly Wilson, bell hooks, Matthew D. Morrison, and George E. Lewis, and felt compelled to explain to my students that there was a time when guitars were important to popular music
I related them to readings by Olly Wilson, bell hooks, Matthew D. Morrison, and George E. Lewis, and felt compelled to explain to my students that there was a time when guitars were important to popular music
February 18, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Wow. I get it. But wow.
"...and felt compelled to explain to my students that there was a time when guitars were important to popular music."
"...and felt compelled to explain to my students that there was a time when guitars were important to popular music."
Reposted by johnedwinmason
The Columbia History prof & white supremacist who, along with his generations of disciplines, did more than anyone this side of D.W. Griffith & Margaret Mitchell to spread neo-Confederate propaganda was guilty of everything that MAGA accuses higher ed of doing & being. That & more in today's post! 🗃️
So for the next post in my series on scholarly ideas of which I am not a fan, sharing two prior posts on the Dunning School (featuring @adamhdomby.bsky.social's work) & one reason why it's doubly important to remember academic white supremacy in 2026.
blackwhiteandread.com/february-17-...
blackwhiteandread.com/february-17-...
February 17, 2026: Non-Favorite Scholarly Ideas: The Dunning School – Black and White and Read All Over
[For this year’s post-Valentine’s non-favorites series, I wanted to follow up last week’s on scholarly books I’ve loved with a handful of scholarly ideas I don’t. Leading up to a perennial favorite cr...
blackwhiteandread.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:26 PM
The Columbia History prof & white supremacist who, along with his generations of disciplines, did more than anyone this side of D.W. Griffith & Margaret Mitchell to spread neo-Confederate propaganda was guilty of everything that MAGA accuses higher ed of doing & being. That & more in today's post! 🗃️
Reposted by johnedwinmason
watching this a few times today
I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is
February 18, 2026 at 3:37 AM
watching this a few times today
The beginning of Ramadan & Lent coincide this year. I like the idea that Muslims & Christians all over the world are entering these seasons of prayer, reflection, penitence, & fasting at the same time. I hope it's a sign of better days to come.
Ramadan Mubarak.
Have a blessed Lent.
Ramadan Mubarak.
Have a blessed Lent.
February 18, 2026 at 4:01 AM
The beginning of Ramadan & Lent coincide this year. I like the idea that Muslims & Christians all over the world are entering these seasons of prayer, reflection, penitence, & fasting at the same time. I hope it's a sign of better days to come.
Ramadan Mubarak.
Have a blessed Lent.
Ramadan Mubarak.
Have a blessed Lent.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Hot take: Law schools shouldn’t bribe officials.
If Dean McAlister felt pressure to do this, she should have resigned. If she didn’t feel pressure, it sure looks like bribery…
I get that higher ed admin is complicated right now. But we need a modicum of backbone from law school leaders.
If Dean McAlister felt pressure to do this, she should have resigned. If she didn’t feel pressure, it sure looks like bribery…
I get that higher ed admin is complicated right now. But we need a modicum of backbone from law school leaders.
Florida's attorney general, who spends his time targeting companies for stuff like “radical LGBTQ+ activism,” is getting paid $100K a year as a Univ of Fla adjunct to teach a 2 hour/week law class.
His salary is 8X higher than what the median adjunct earns.
1/
www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
His salary is 8X higher than what the median adjunct earns.
1/
www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
‘Professor Uthmeier’: Inside Florida attorney general’s $100k teaching job at UF
The university was eager to hire the newly minted attorney general, but didn’t announce his teaching job until the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times began asking questions.
www.miamiherald.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Hot take: Law schools shouldn’t bribe officials.
If Dean McAlister felt pressure to do this, she should have resigned. If she didn’t feel pressure, it sure looks like bribery…
I get that higher ed admin is complicated right now. But we need a modicum of backbone from law school leaders.
If Dean McAlister felt pressure to do this, she should have resigned. If she didn’t feel pressure, it sure looks like bribery…
I get that higher ed admin is complicated right now. But we need a modicum of backbone from law school leaders.
Good student. Good teacher.
Had a student today say “wow, Reconstruction is like the most important time period in history and I’ve never heard of it before.” 🥹🥹🥹
I had been wondering if I was being too repetitive with all the different angles I’ve covered but I think I hit the sweet spot 🥰
I had been wondering if I was being too repetitive with all the different angles I’ve covered but I think I hit the sweet spot 🥰
February 18, 2026 at 3:34 AM
Good student. Good teacher.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
In 2018, my mom was working a fencing tournament in Memphis. While at breakfast at the hotel, she got to meet the Rev. Jesse Jackson and start her morning with a prayer where he reminded her to keep hope alive.
An incredible legacy.
An incredible legacy.
February 17, 2026 at 3:24 PM
In 2018, my mom was working a fencing tournament in Memphis. While at breakfast at the hotel, she got to meet the Rev. Jesse Jackson and start her morning with a prayer where he reminded her to keep hope alive.
An incredible legacy.
An incredible legacy.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
There’s no President Barack Obama without Jesse Jackson. It just doesn’t happen.
February 17, 2026 at 12:18 PM
There’s no President Barack Obama without Jesse Jackson. It just doesn’t happen.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
In 1984 Jesse Jackson was running for President and wanted to come to Portsmouth to do a parade and his campaign kept running into roadblocks. He got involved personally and asked to be sent to “the person who could get things done”. And that’s how we met and became friends.
February 17, 2026 at 3:33 PM
In 1984 Jesse Jackson was running for President and wanted to come to Portsmouth to do a parade and his campaign kept running into roadblocks. He got involved personally and asked to be sent to “the person who could get things done”. And that’s how we met and became friends.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
jesse jackson was constantly played as a punchline on 90s late-night TV to the point that i didn't understand his history of activism and serious left-leaning political platform until i was much older. i have to think, to some degree, that was on purpose.
February 17, 2026 at 3:40 PM
jesse jackson was constantly played as a punchline on 90s late-night TV to the point that i didn't understand his history of activism and serious left-leaning political platform until i was much older. i have to think, to some degree, that was on purpose.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Can't really bring myself to read the newspapers on Jesse Jackson's life and death. I met him the eighties, closely watched his campaigns (and the awful coverage) and saw him from time to time over the decades. A truly great American, flawed like all the rest.
February 17, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Can't really bring myself to read the newspapers on Jesse Jackson's life and death. I met him the eighties, closely watched his campaigns (and the awful coverage) and saw him from time to time over the decades. A truly great American, flawed like all the rest.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Long forgotten: Democrats swept through the midterms of 1990 and showed Bush was beatable (and forced Bush to raise taxes) because Rev. Jesse Jackson systematically organized volunteers all over the country. He contested the South after Dukakis surrendered. Clinton owed him. So do we.
February 17, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Long forgotten: Democrats swept through the midterms of 1990 and showed Bush was beatable (and forced Bush to raise taxes) because Rev. Jesse Jackson systematically organized volunteers all over the country. He contested the South after Dukakis surrendered. Clinton owed him. So do we.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
really sad about the death of rev. jesse jackson this morning and i'm gonna be writing something about it for @theringer. but in the meantime, a couple of recommendations.
1. @jamellebouie.net's piece from 2016 about Jackson's groundbreaking presidential campaigns. www.slate.com/articles/new...
1. @jamellebouie.net's piece from 2016 about Jackson's groundbreaking presidential campaigns. www.slate.com/articles/new...
Demoralized Democrats Have a Road Map for Success in Trump’s America. It Was Written by Jesse Jackson.
Jesse Jackson first ran for president during the national farm bust of the early 1980s. Debt for farmers had exploded from $85 billion in 1976 to $216 ...
www.slate.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:50 PM
really sad about the death of rev. jesse jackson this morning and i'm gonna be writing something about it for @theringer. but in the meantime, a couple of recommendations.
1. @jamellebouie.net's piece from 2016 about Jackson's groundbreaking presidential campaigns. www.slate.com/articles/new...
1. @jamellebouie.net's piece from 2016 about Jackson's groundbreaking presidential campaigns. www.slate.com/articles/new...
Reposted by johnedwinmason
2. I interviewed CNN's Abby Phillip last month for @thepressbox.bsky.social to talk about her book on Rev. Jackson's life and political ascendance. Strongly encourage y'all to read "A Dream Deferred" if you're interested and already haven't. www.theringer.com/podcasts/the...
The FBI Seizes Reporter’s Laptop and National Championship Story Lines. Plus, CNN’s Abby Phillip! - The Ringer
Bryan and Joel discuss the FBI raid of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson. Bryan and Joel also dive into some football notes on Carson Beck, Michael Irvin’s new podcast, and Tony Romo’s poor per...
www.theringer.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:53 PM
2. I interviewed CNN's Abby Phillip last month for @thepressbox.bsky.social to talk about her book on Rev. Jackson's life and political ascendance. Strongly encourage y'all to read "A Dream Deferred" if you're interested and already haven't. www.theringer.com/podcasts/the...
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Trump called Jesse Jackson "street smart," and you should hear this as coded language.
February 17, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Trump called Jesse Jackson "street smart," and you should hear this as coded language.
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Reposted by johnedwinmason
This thread would make a great Intro to Jazz for those who are new to the music. Not comprehensive, but very accessible.
It might be an even better weekend playlist for people who are deep into the music. The choices are great. But it's interesting to see who Stryker puts in & leaves out. 👇🏽
It might be an even better weekend playlist for people who are deep into the music. The choices are great. But it's interesting to see who Stryker puts in & leaves out. 👇🏽
🧵Here's something fun I've been toying around with for a week: My own personal Blue Note Desert Island List.
At some point, I'll write an essay based on this list. Meantime, before I give you the list, here are my ground rules and some observations.
At some point, I'll write an essay based on this list. Meantime, before I give you the list, here are my ground rules and some observations.
February 17, 2026 at 4:50 AM
This thread would make a great Intro to Jazz for those who are new to the music. Not comprehensive, but very accessible.
It might be an even better weekend playlist for people who are deep into the music. The choices are great. But it's interesting to see who Stryker puts in & leaves out. 👇🏽
It might be an even better weekend playlist for people who are deep into the music. The choices are great. But it's interesting to see who Stryker puts in & leaves out. 👇🏽
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Barcelona, 1906. The Sagrada Família Basilica in the background, 24 years into its construction.
February 17, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Barcelona, 1906. The Sagrada Família Basilica in the background, 24 years into its construction.
FYI, brothers & sisters.
February 17, 2026 at 4:24 AM
FYI, brothers & sisters.
A benefit of learning French has been the new musical world it's opened to me. I'd never heard of the clarinetist, saxophonist, & composer Michel Portal. Yet he was one of the truly great musicians of the 20th & 21st centuries — jazz, classical, experimental. m.youtube.com/watch?v=10t4...
February 17, 2026 at 3:01 AM
A benefit of learning French has been the new musical world it's opened to me. I'd never heard of the clarinetist, saxophonist, & composer Michel Portal. Yet he was one of the truly great musicians of the 20th & 21st centuries — jazz, classical, experimental. m.youtube.com/watch?v=10t4...
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Remember when people said that if measures were taken to regulate drug prices, then innovation will die? Welp: "Federal policies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that are hostile to vaccines have “sent a chill through the entire industry,” one scientist said." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/h...
Vaccine Makers Curtail Research and Cut Jobs
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Remember when people said that if measures were taken to regulate drug prices, then innovation will die? Welp: "Federal policies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that are hostile to vaccines have “sent a chill through the entire industry,” one scientist said." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/h...
Reposted by johnedwinmason
“At the time, Mays had not fully realized how impactful her aunt was in the Civil Rights Movement; the 9-year-old knew her as an excellent cook and loving aunt. . . . ‘And then I grew up and I learned more . . .’”
“Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”
“Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”
This Little Light of Mine
YouTube video by Fannie Lou Hamer - Topic
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 8:07 PM
“At the time, Mays had not fully realized how impactful her aunt was in the Civil Rights Movement; the 9-year-old knew her as an excellent cook and loving aunt. . . . ‘And then I grew up and I learned more . . .’”
“Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”
“Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”
Reposted by johnedwinmason
Absolutely despicable and honestly unforgivable.
He also says he hopes he can “inspire” people over there.
This is his “Republicans buy sneakers too” moment.
He also says he hopes he can “inspire” people over there.
This is his “Republicans buy sneakers too” moment.
February 15, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Absolutely despicable and honestly unforgivable.
He also says he hopes he can “inspire” people over there.
This is his “Republicans buy sneakers too” moment.
He also says he hopes he can “inspire” people over there.
This is his “Republicans buy sneakers too” moment.
👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
Fannie Lou Hamer's nephew, Eddie Fair, credits his aunt with providing a foundation for Mississippi to have the most Black elected officials in the country.
“All that happened because of Fannie Lou Hamer getting out and taking a stand, getting people ready to vote,” he said.
“All that happened because of Fannie Lou Hamer getting out and taking a stand, getting people ready to vote,” he said.
Fannie Lou Hamer’s Medal of Freedom Now Displayed at Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
Fannie Lou Hamer’s posthumously-awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom is now on display at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
buff.ly
February 16, 2026 at 7:48 PM
👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽