Marcelius Braxton
@marceliusb.bsky.social
"Mar" "Sell" Us". Director of Center for Social Change, Associate Teaching Prof (Africana Studies, Philosophy, etc.), and ABD in Education Doctorate. Former Law School Dean of Students, K-12 DEI admin, and cultural center director.
*Views are my own*
*Views are my own*
Pinned
Marcelius Braxton
@marceliusb.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Hey new followers,
I direct a Center for Social Change and Belonging, and I'm an Associate Teaching Prof in Philosophy, African/African American Studies, etc.
My work focuses on the intersections of race, law, education, and philosophy. I also focus on social justice, activism, and liberation.
I direct a Center for Social Change and Belonging, and I'm an Associate Teaching Prof in Philosophy, African/African American Studies, etc.
My work focuses on the intersections of race, law, education, and philosophy. I also focus on social justice, activism, and liberation.
As a reminder, especially as we see more people detained during protests, one should always be skeptical of “resisting arrest” charges, as they are so common and police use them to escalate and justify force for things like small movements, verbal objections, and even being perceived to obstruct.
January 16, 2026 at 4:11 PM
As a reminder, especially as we see more people detained during protests, one should always be skeptical of “resisting arrest” charges, as they are so common and police use them to escalate and justify force for things like small movements, verbal objections, and even being perceived to obstruct.
College admin over the past few years: Suppress protests/speech, refuse to stand up against oppression/ injustice, comply with anti-DEI executive orders, and eliminate classes with any mention of race, gender, or sexuality
College admin over the next week: "I can't wait for all of our MLK events!"
College admin over the next week: "I can't wait for all of our MLK events!"
January 16, 2026 at 3:01 AM
College admin over the past few years: Suppress protests/speech, refuse to stand up against oppression/ injustice, comply with anti-DEI executive orders, and eliminate classes with any mention of race, gender, or sexuality
College admin over the next week: "I can't wait for all of our MLK events!"
College admin over the next week: "I can't wait for all of our MLK events!"
The same applies to “interfering”. Anything a person says, does, or doesn’t do can be called/weaponized as “interfering”. Yelling, standing, not moving, protesting, trying to assist someone, or even being the victim of violence from law enforcement can be called “interfering with law enforcement”.
People (especially law enforcement and those defending their actions) use the word “comply” for a reason. Compliance for a person with control or power means acting exactly how they want, when they want, where they want, as fast as they want, and in the very specific ways they want. /1
January 15, 2026 at 3:24 PM
The same applies to “interfering”. Anything a person says, does, or doesn’t do can be called/weaponized as “interfering”. Yelling, standing, not moving, protesting, trying to assist someone, or even being the victim of violence from law enforcement can be called “interfering with law enforcement”.
I’d argue that even if the cops did outnumber ICE, they wouldn’t stop ICE. Nothing about what we know, what we’ve seen, or what we’ve experienced suggests that the police want to stop ICE or protect people. Policing is a system created to harm, oppress, and target people, no different than ICE.
To the people out of state who keep saying “why won’t the local cops stop ICE” you need to understand that ICE is overwhelmingly the largest force on the ground in Minneapolis. They outnumber Minneapolis cops four to one. They’re more likely to stop the cops than the other way around
The Star Tribune had an insane graphic about the presence of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. There are more immigration officers in the metro right now than local police officers.
January 15, 2026 at 12:38 PM
I’d argue that even if the cops did outnumber ICE, they wouldn’t stop ICE. Nothing about what we know, what we’ve seen, or what we’ve experienced suggests that the police want to stop ICE or protect people. Policing is a system created to harm, oppress, and target people, no different than ICE.
Reposted by Marcelius Braxton
Many now know Colvin's story wasn't publicized because of respectability politics, namely that she was unmarried and pregnant, but many don't know that Colvin was one of the main plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the federal case ruling that segregation on public transportation is unconstitutional. /1
WASHINGTON (AP) — Claudette Colvin, whose refusal to move seats on a segregated bus helped spark the civil rights movement, dies at 86.
January 13, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Many now know Colvin's story wasn't publicized because of respectability politics, namely that she was unmarried and pregnant, but many don't know that Colvin was one of the main plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the federal case ruling that segregation on public transportation is unconstitutional. /1
Many now know Colvin's story wasn't publicized because of respectability politics, namely that she was unmarried and pregnant, but many don't know that Colvin was one of the main plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the federal case ruling that segregation on public transportation is unconstitutional. /1
WASHINGTON (AP) — Claudette Colvin, whose refusal to move seats on a segregated bus helped spark the civil rights movement, dies at 86.
January 13, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Many now know Colvin's story wasn't publicized because of respectability politics, namely that she was unmarried and pregnant, but many don't know that Colvin was one of the main plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the federal case ruling that segregation on public transportation is unconstitutional. /1
Generally speaking, it’s a bad idea to compare anyone to Dr. King or use his name as a comparison to their ideas or movement. Let people and their ideas stand on their own rather than making a. poor comparison to a figure like Dr. King.
January 13, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Generally speaking, it’s a bad idea to compare anyone to Dr. King or use his name as a comparison to their ideas or movement. Let people and their ideas stand on their own rather than making a. poor comparison to a figure like Dr. King.
Reposted by Marcelius Braxton
the refrain today is "unrestrained original intent"
We don’t need to lie about the past to talk about how bad things are now. In fact, it’s problematic to do so because it ignores systemic issues. Policing in the U.S. was built to be/has always been oppressive and harmful. This is no anomaly. It’s a manifestation of its unrestrained original intent.
Before Trump, law enforcement were trained to behave professionally. At a traffic stop they would start with words such as "Mam, may I see your drivers license and registration."
ICE evidently trains their goons to start a stop with screamed profanity, quickly followed by violence.
ICE evidently trains their goons to start a stop with screamed profanity, quickly followed by violence.
January 12, 2026 at 4:14 PM
the refrain today is "unrestrained original intent"
We don’t need to lie about the past to talk about how bad things are now. In fact, it’s problematic to do so because it ignores systemic issues. Policing in the U.S. was built to be/has always been oppressive and harmful. This is no anomaly. It’s a manifestation of its unrestrained original intent.
Before Trump, law enforcement were trained to behave professionally. At a traffic stop they would start with words such as "Mam, may I see your drivers license and registration."
ICE evidently trains their goons to start a stop with screamed profanity, quickly followed by violence.
ICE evidently trains their goons to start a stop with screamed profanity, quickly followed by violence.
January 12, 2026 at 2:28 PM
We don’t need to lie about the past to talk about how bad things are now. In fact, it’s problematic to do so because it ignores systemic issues. Policing in the U.S. was built to be/has always been oppressive and harmful. This is no anomaly. It’s a manifestation of its unrestrained original intent.
After everything that has happened, if a politician refuses to take a stance against ICE, they should be primaried and voted out. It’s really that simple.
ICE has unchecked power and abuses that power to harass, harm, and kill people. If a politician is unwilling to vote to abolish ICE, they are accepting and enabling these harms and can no longer be considered a viable candidate. Abolishing ICE is not a radical position. It is a necessary one.
January 12, 2026 at 3:35 AM
After everything that has happened, if a politician refuses to take a stance against ICE, they should be primaried and voted out. It’s really that simple.
MLK Jr. Day is coming up, so get ready for the disingenuous calls to be like, act like, or protest like Dr. King from people who reference a few lines without context that avoid what Dr. King believed/stood for and who, if around at the time, would have criticized, sided against, or hated Dr. King.
January 12, 2026 at 3:24 AM
MLK Jr. Day is coming up, so get ready for the disingenuous calls to be like, act like, or protest like Dr. King from people who reference a few lines without context that avoid what Dr. King believed/stood for and who, if around at the time, would have criticized, sided against, or hated Dr. King.
An impediment to change has always been people’s preference for the familiar even when they know it is bad (see: healthcare, policing, etc.) along with eagerness to dismiss alternatives at the first sign of issues. Creating something new scares many people more than living within oppressive systems.
January 11, 2026 at 2:51 PM
An impediment to change has always been people’s preference for the familiar even when they know it is bad (see: healthcare, policing, etc.) along with eagerness to dismiss alternatives at the first sign of issues. Creating something new scares many people more than living within oppressive systems.
An administration that has empowered actors/officials to brazenly break and defy laws is not going to be intimidated by the “tough” words of politicians whose only responses are calls for that admin to follow laws, calls for civility, or directing their ire at protestors/those willing to fight back.
January 10, 2026 at 8:54 PM
An administration that has empowered actors/officials to brazenly break and defy laws is not going to be intimidated by the “tough” words of politicians whose only responses are calls for that admin to follow laws, calls for civility, or directing their ire at protestors/those willing to fight back.
This is the time to reject calls to reform. Reform means improving existing systems, but reform often reinforces oppression/inequity. Whether it’s ICE, policing, health care, etc., the question isn’t what is needed to reform but rather do these systems need to exist and/or what should exist instead?
January 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This is the time to reject calls to reform. Reform means improving existing systems, but reform often reinforces oppression/inequity. Whether it’s ICE, policing, health care, etc., the question isn’t what is needed to reform but rather do these systems need to exist and/or what should exist instead?
A lot of messages coming out keep revolving around the idea of “complying”. ⬇️
People (especially law enforcement and those defending their actions) use the word “comply” for a reason. Compliance for a person with control or power means acting exactly how they want, when they want, where they want, as fast as they want, and in the very specific ways they want. /1
January 10, 2026 at 5:10 PM
A lot of messages coming out keep revolving around the idea of “complying”. ⬇️
A reason Black people told everyone to take police shootings seriously is because government sanctioned violence doesn’t occur in isolation. Every justification/defense emboldens them and pushes them towards widespread sanctioned violence knowing society will justify its use no matter how egregious.
January 9, 2026 at 9:39 PM
A reason Black people told everyone to take police shootings seriously is because government sanctioned violence doesn’t occur in isolation. Every justification/defense emboldens them and pushes them towards widespread sanctioned violence knowing society will justify its use no matter how egregious.
The Emmys are introducing the Legacy Award given to TV shows that leave a lasting impact in the industry, and "The Wire" should be the first show to receive it. A show that premiered over 20 years ago still holds up and is quite possibly the greatest show ever made.
January 9, 2026 at 6:16 PM
The Emmys are introducing the Legacy Award given to TV shows that leave a lasting impact in the industry, and "The Wire" should be the first show to receive it. A show that premiered over 20 years ago still holds up and is quite possibly the greatest show ever made.
People (especially law enforcement and those defending their actions) use the word “comply” for a reason. Compliance for a person with control or power means acting exactly how they want, when they want, where they want, as fast as they want, and in the very specific ways they want. /1
January 8, 2026 at 8:59 PM
People (especially law enforcement and those defending their actions) use the word “comply” for a reason. Compliance for a person with control or power means acting exactly how they want, when they want, where they want, as fast as they want, and in the very specific ways they want. /1
It’s been made clear that anyone even perceived to stand in the way of government sanctioned actors becomes a threat/perpetrator, acceptable to harm, and never to be seen as a victim. That’s why reform isn’t possible. Being present is the only justification needed for government sanctioned violence.
January 8, 2026 at 2:16 AM
It’s been made clear that anyone even perceived to stand in the way of government sanctioned actors becomes a threat/perpetrator, acceptable to harm, and never to be seen as a victim. That’s why reform isn’t possible. Being present is the only justification needed for government sanctioned violence.
ICE has unchecked power and abuses that power to harass, harm, and kill people. If a politician is unwilling to vote to abolish ICE, they are accepting and enabling these harms and can no longer be considered a viable candidate. Abolishing ICE is not a radical position. It is a necessary one.
January 8, 2026 at 12:47 AM
ICE has unchecked power and abuses that power to harass, harm, and kill people. If a politician is unwilling to vote to abolish ICE, they are accepting and enabling these harms and can no longer be considered a viable candidate. Abolishing ICE is not a radical position. It is a necessary one.
The existence and conduct of ICE is political violence. All the people who condemned political violence should condemn everything about ICE. And you can’t reform or fix ICE because it’s not broken. It’s operating as planned, and no amount of change will make it not oppressive, harmful, or violent.
January 7, 2026 at 10:55 PM
The existence and conduct of ICE is political violence. All the people who condemned political violence should condemn everything about ICE. And you can’t reform or fix ICE because it’s not broken. It’s operating as planned, and no amount of change will make it not oppressive, harmful, or violent.
Want to say this again...
I will gladly donate money to any credible challenger who wants to primary John Fetterman.
January 6, 2026 at 3:35 AM
Want to say this again...
Kind of like private equity. Something you think is bad all of a sudden gets that much worse because the entity taking over doesn’t even care about the place or people, only the resources, profit, and their own self-interest.
Take it from a Filipino, even if you despise the current rulers of your country, you will live to regret the day the United States comes in to remove them
January 5, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Kind of like private equity. Something you think is bad all of a sudden gets that much worse because the entity taking over doesn’t even care about the place or people, only the resources, profit, and their own self-interest.
Subscribing to the idea that “the end justifies the means” for U.S. foreign policy is short term thinking that will backfire because it relies on those in power having ethical “ends” and the “means” being used rarely and morally. Having that confidence in the U.S. gov is nothing more than foolish.
January 4, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Subscribing to the idea that “the end justifies the means” for U.S. foreign policy is short term thinking that will backfire because it relies on those in power having ethical “ends” and the “means” being used rarely and morally. Having that confidence in the U.S. gov is nothing more than foolish.
Make sure you're getting your info from actual foreign policy and legal experts. Please share some that you trust and are worth following/listening to. I'll start with one: Professor @elizabethrb.bsky.social (www.elizabethbeavers.com) has always provided great resources and insight on these issues.
January 3, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Make sure you're getting your info from actual foreign policy and legal experts. Please share some that you trust and are worth following/listening to. I'll start with one: Professor @elizabethrb.bsky.social (www.elizabethbeavers.com) has always provided great resources and insight on these issues.