Kristen Martin
@kwistent.bsky.social
Author of THE SUN WON'T COME OUT TOMORROW, out now from Bold Type / critic with words in NYRB, NYT Mag, WaPo, The New Republic, and elsewhere / member Freelance Solidarity Project and National Book Critics Circle / Philly / kristenmartin.net
Pinned
Kristen Martin
@kwistent.bsky.social
· Nov 9
The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow: The Dark History of American Orphanhood a book by Kristen Martin
The real history of being an orphan in America is nothing like the myth, and nothing like the American dream. The orphan story has been mythologized: Step one: While a child is still too young to fo...
bookshop.org
Hi new pals! I am a cultural critic based in Philadelphia, and my first book, THE SUN WON'T COME OUT TOMORROW: THE DARK HISTORY OF AMERICAN ORPHANHOOD, comes out the day after the inauguration (gulp). bookshop.org/p/books/the-... (1/2)
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Donald Trump is erasing American history. And as @kwistent.bsky.social explains in our new issue, we’ve only just begun to reckon with what the U.S. government did to Native children.
Serious Reservations | Kristen Martin
The Trump administration’s erasure of Indigenous history serves a larger project—yet another plunder of land.
thebaffler.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Donald Trump is erasing American history. And as @kwistent.bsky.social explains in our new issue, we’ve only just begun to reckon with what the U.S. government did to Native children.
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Under Biden Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the U.S. government began the long-overdue process of acknowledging and addressing the bone-chilling history of its Indian boarding schools. A second Trump administration is undoing that work.
Serious Reservations | Kristen Martin
The Trump administration’s erasure of Indigenous history serves a larger project—yet another plunder of land.
thebaffler.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Under Biden Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the U.S. government began the long-overdue process of acknowledging and addressing the bone-chilling history of its Indian boarding schools. A second Trump administration is undoing that work.
Some highlights from one year of my book:
americanorphan.substack.com/p/one-year-o...
americanorphan.substack.com/p/one-year-o...
One Year of THE SUN WON'T COME OUT TOMORROW
Some highlights and ways to support the book
americanorphan.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Some highlights from one year of my book:
americanorphan.substack.com/p/one-year-o...
americanorphan.substack.com/p/one-year-o...
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Terrifically researched & written book that you have to read right now so hit that bookstore baby!!
My book THE SUN WON’T OUT TOMORROW: THE DARK HISTORY OF AMERICAN ORPHANHOOD turns ONE today!! Maybe you want to grab a copy? bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
January 21, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Terrifically researched & written book that you have to read right now so hit that bookstore baby!!
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Highly recommend getting yourself a copy and reading it! It's got history, cultural analysis, and deep critique of family policing systems. Plus, you'll start noticing at just how many orphan narratives we use in pop culture.
My book THE SUN WON’T OUT TOMORROW: THE DARK HISTORY OF AMERICAN ORPHANHOOD turns ONE today!! Maybe you want to grab a copy? bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
January 21, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Highly recommend getting yourself a copy and reading it! It's got history, cultural analysis, and deep critique of family policing systems. Plus, you'll start noticing at just how many orphan narratives we use in pop culture.
My book THE SUN WON’T OUT TOMORROW: THE DARK HISTORY OF AMERICAN ORPHANHOOD turns ONE today!! Maybe you want to grab a copy? bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
January 21, 2026 at 7:29 PM
My book THE SUN WON’T OUT TOMORROW: THE DARK HISTORY OF AMERICAN ORPHANHOOD turns ONE today!! Maybe you want to grab a copy? bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Check out my series MISS ME YET for free on Means TV!
means.tv/programs/mis...
means.tv/programs/mis...
January 19, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Timeline cleanse: Penny Loafer gets a bath
January 19, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Timeline cleanse: Penny Loafer gets a bath
One more share!
For @altajournal.bsky.social I reviewed Eric Lichtblau’s AMERICAN REICH, which contextualizes the 2018 murder of Blaze Bernstein within a new era of white supremacy. This was a difficult assignment, as I have gotten to know Blaze after his death: www.altaonline.com/books/nonfic...
The State of Hate
Eric Lichtblau’s American Reich situates Blaze Bernstein’s murder within a resurgent culture of white supremacy and violent bigotry.
www.altaonline.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:17 PM
One more share!
Reposted by Kristen Martin
next to the historic Fort Snelling. ICE operates there because it is still federal land. In the winter of 1862-63 the fort was a concentration camp for Dakota people. As a punishment for the Dakota War, tribal members were rounded up, marched to Ft Snelling, detained and exiled from the state.
January 14, 2026 at 8:18 PM
next to the historic Fort Snelling. ICE operates there because it is still federal land. In the winter of 1862-63 the fort was a concentration camp for Dakota people. As a punishment for the Dakota War, tribal members were rounded up, marched to Ft Snelling, detained and exiled from the state.
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Four citizens of the Oglala Sioux Tribe have been held by ICE since Thursday. The unhoused men were picked up during an ICE raid and despite advocacy from their tribe, three have not been released.
The place where the men are being held (the ICE facility in Minneapolis) is
The place where the men are being held (the ICE facility in Minneapolis) is
January 14, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Four citizens of the Oglala Sioux Tribe have been held by ICE since Thursday. The unhoused men were picked up during an ICE raid and despite advocacy from their tribe, three have not been released.
The place where the men are being held (the ICE facility in Minneapolis) is
The place where the men are being held (the ICE facility in Minneapolis) is
Philly folks! Join me on February 4th (my half-birthday!) for a talk about my book at the Pen & Pencil! We will highlight some of the Philly connections in the book and talk about recent developments in foster care and family policing. Free and open to all; RSVP: www.penandpencil.org/content.aspx...
January 14, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Philly folks! Join me on February 4th (my half-birthday!) for a talk about my book at the Pen & Pencil! We will highlight some of the Philly connections in the book and talk about recent developments in foster care and family policing. Free and open to all; RSVP: www.penandpencil.org/content.aspx...
Reposted by Kristen Martin
In Sacramento at the senate judiciary committee hearing, advocating for the rights of CA-born adopted people to access their own records. I am concerned about tomorrow’s health committee hearing. If you are in CA, you can call the health committee senators (see below) & advocate in support of SB381.
🚨🚨Any California resident can help
The Senate Health Committee hearing is tomorrow 1/14 at 1:30 PST. Please contact your reps today and tell them to VOTE YES on SB381.
If calling isn’t your thing, email info for the committee is below👇🏾👇🏾
The Senate Health Committee hearing is tomorrow 1/14 at 1:30 PST. Please contact your reps today and tell them to VOTE YES on SB381.
If calling isn’t your thing, email info for the committee is below👇🏾👇🏾
January 13, 2026 at 10:37 PM
In Sacramento at the senate judiciary committee hearing, advocating for the rights of CA-born adopted people to access their own records. I am concerned about tomorrow’s health committee hearing. If you are in CA, you can call the health committee senators (see below) & advocate in support of SB381.
Reposted by Kristen Martin
🚨🚨Any California resident can help
The Senate Health Committee hearing is tomorrow 1/14 at 1:30 PST. Please contact your reps today and tell them to VOTE YES on SB381.
If calling isn’t your thing, email info for the committee is below👇🏾👇🏾
The Senate Health Committee hearing is tomorrow 1/14 at 1:30 PST. Please contact your reps today and tell them to VOTE YES on SB381.
If calling isn’t your thing, email info for the committee is below👇🏾👇🏾
January 13, 2026 at 8:02 PM
🚨🚨Any California resident can help
The Senate Health Committee hearing is tomorrow 1/14 at 1:30 PST. Please contact your reps today and tell them to VOTE YES on SB381.
If calling isn’t your thing, email info for the committee is below👇🏾👇🏾
The Senate Health Committee hearing is tomorrow 1/14 at 1:30 PST. Please contact your reps today and tell them to VOTE YES on SB381.
If calling isn’t your thing, email info for the committee is below👇🏾👇🏾
Reposted by Kristen Martin
For @altajournal.bsky.social I reviewed Eric Lichtblau’s AMERICAN REICH, which contextualizes the 2018 murder of Blaze Bernstein within a new era of white supremacy. This was a difficult assignment, as I have gotten to know Blaze after his death: www.altaonline.com/books/nonfic...
The State of Hate
Eric Lichtblau’s American Reich situates Blaze Bernstein’s murder within a resurgent culture of white supremacy and violent bigotry.
www.altaonline.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:12 PM
For @altajournal.bsky.social I reviewed Eric Lichtblau’s AMERICAN REICH, which contextualizes the 2018 murder of Blaze Bernstein within a new era of white supremacy. This was a difficult assignment, as I have gotten to know Blaze after his death: www.altaonline.com/books/nonfic...
For @altajournal.bsky.social I reviewed Eric Lichtblau’s AMERICAN REICH, which contextualizes the 2018 murder of Blaze Bernstein within a new era of white supremacy. This was a difficult assignment, as I have gotten to know Blaze after his death: www.altaonline.com/books/nonfic...
The State of Hate
Eric Lichtblau’s American Reich situates Blaze Bernstein’s murder within a resurgent culture of white supremacy and violent bigotry.
www.altaonline.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:12 PM
For @altajournal.bsky.social I reviewed Eric Lichtblau’s AMERICAN REICH, which contextualizes the 2018 murder of Blaze Bernstein within a new era of white supremacy. This was a difficult assignment, as I have gotten to know Blaze after his death: www.altaonline.com/books/nonfic...
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Writers, it's time. Scrivener for Creative Writers is back! Join me 1/31 for a 90-minute class that will give you a powerful start to your writing year. Info and signups (and student discount) at jaimegreen.net/classes
January 12, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Writers, it's time. Scrivener for Creative Writers is back! Join me 1/31 for a 90-minute class that will give you a powerful start to your writing year. Info and signups (and student discount) at jaimegreen.net/classes
Reposted by Kristen Martin
NBCC member Kristen Martin reviewed Elliot Williams’ "Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York’s Explosive ‘80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation" for Columbia Magazine:
The Subway Vigilante
In Five Bullets, CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams ’02JRN, ’02LAW looks back at a controversial 1984 shooting
buff.ly
January 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
NBCC member Kristen Martin reviewed Elliot Williams’ "Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York’s Explosive ‘80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation" for Columbia Magazine:
Reposted by Kristen Martin
ICYMI: my latest for @thebaffler.com
Indian boarding schools sought to strip Native children of their culture. Now, the Trump administration seeks to strip their stories from the historical record while opening ancestral lands for pillage and plunder.
Serious Reservations | Kristen Martin
The Trump administration’s erasure of Indigenous history serves a larger project—yet another plunder of land.
thebaffler.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:44 PM
ICYMI: my latest for @thebaffler.com
ICYMI: my latest for @thebaffler.com
Indian boarding schools sought to strip Native children of their culture. Now, the Trump administration seeks to strip their stories from the historical record while opening ancestral lands for pillage and plunder.
Serious Reservations | Kristen Martin
The Trump administration’s erasure of Indigenous history serves a larger project—yet another plunder of land.
thebaffler.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:44 PM
ICYMI: my latest for @thebaffler.com
I hath blogged americanorphan.substack.com/p/what-im-wr...
What I'm Writing/What I'm Reading
On drawing on my book's foundational research for a new essay in The Baffler and more
americanorphan.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:37 PM
I hath blogged americanorphan.substack.com/p/what-im-wr...
Reposted by Kristen Martin
foster care has been on the decline nationally over the past ten years. that's a good thing! but there's a group that routinely argue that this is putting kids in danger. @kelleyfong.bsky.social; @bobapel.bsky.social and I checked the evidence (it's null 1/n) jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Foster Care and Child Maltreatment Mortality Rates in the US
This cross-sectional study of children in state-supervised foster care assesses deaths due to child maltreatment and whether these fatalities are associated with foster care entry rates.
jamanetwork.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
foster care has been on the decline nationally over the past ten years. that's a good thing! but there's a group that routinely argue that this is putting kids in danger. @kelleyfong.bsky.social; @bobapel.bsky.social and I checked the evidence (it's null 1/n) jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Kristen Martin
Using propaganda to back stealing territory for natural resource extraction? It’s the oldest American story. For @thebaffler.com, I wrote about how Trump’s erasures of our country's history of expropriating land from Native Americans are geared toward yet more plunder: thebaffler.com/outbursts/se...
Serious Reservations | Kristen Martin
The Trump administration’s erasure of Indigenous history serves a larger project—yet another plunder of land.
thebaffler.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Using propaganda to back stealing territory for natural resource extraction? It’s the oldest American story. For @thebaffler.com, I wrote about how Trump’s erasures of our country's history of expropriating land from Native Americans are geared toward yet more plunder: thebaffler.com/outbursts/se...
Reposted by Kristen Martin
This is the right framing.
As always, Defector gets it right: defector.com/ice-agent-ki...
ICE Agent Kills Woman, DHS Tells Obvious, Insane Lies About It | Defector
On Wednesday in Minneapolis, masked government agents apparently representing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surrounded a stationary vehicle stopped in the middle of a residential street. O...
defector.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:19 PM
This is the right framing.
Using propaganda to back stealing territory for natural resource extraction? It’s the oldest American story. For @thebaffler.com, I wrote about how Trump’s erasures of our country's history of expropriating land from Native Americans are geared toward yet more plunder: thebaffler.com/outbursts/se...
Serious Reservations | Kristen Martin
The Trump administration’s erasure of Indigenous history serves a larger project—yet another plunder of land.
thebaffler.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Using propaganda to back stealing territory for natural resource extraction? It’s the oldest American story. For @thebaffler.com, I wrote about how Trump’s erasures of our country's history of expropriating land from Native Americans are geared toward yet more plunder: thebaffler.com/outbursts/se...