Mathew Foresta
@mathewforesta.bsky.social
Writer and journalist. Words in HuffPost, USA Today, The Guardian, LAist, The Daily Beast, etc. Please subscribe. https://bettergracesandliberations.substack.com/
Pinned
The Prison You Can Find Yourself In
These are the times of ICE murders and ethnic cleansing. We are forever accountable for what we do in this moment, and the consequences of failure are grave indeed.
bettergracesandliberations.substack.com
My latest on our duty in light of the ICE murders & Alex Pretti.
"There are worse things than arrest or jail, injury or death. To be trapped in yourself, to waste away with the knowledge that you are a contemptable person, is one such example."
bettergracesandliberations.substack.com/p/the-prison...
"There are worse things than arrest or jail, injury or death. To be trapped in yourself, to waste away with the knowledge that you are a contemptable person, is one such example."
bettergracesandliberations.substack.com/p/the-prison...
I was sexually assaulted by a woman. I think part of the reason she did it was her mental health problems, and part of it was she was raised by a sometimes physically and often mentally abusive father. It doesn't alleviate her of responsibility, but it's part of the story.
Also, gender essentialism ignores the reality that many many men are victims of abuse, especially from other men, and many (not all) abusers are perpetuating a cycle of abuse
February 2, 2026 at 4:10 AM
I was sexually assaulted by a woman. I think part of the reason she did it was her mental health problems, and part of it was she was raised by a sometimes physically and often mentally abusive father. It doesn't alleviate her of responsibility, but it's part of the story.
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
Also, gender essentialism ignores the reality that many many men are victims of abuse, especially from other men, and many (not all) abusers are perpetuating a cycle of abuse
February 2, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Also, gender essentialism ignores the reality that many many men are victims of abuse, especially from other men, and many (not all) abusers are perpetuating a cycle of abuse
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
I’ve seen a lot of reactionary viral content in recent years along the lines of “men should be born in prison and prove their way out” and while I get where that’s coming from, I also think gender essentialism and viewing abusiveness as innate is a huge problem + deflection from how prevention works
February 2, 2026 at 2:34 AM
I’ve seen a lot of reactionary viral content in recent years along the lines of “men should be born in prison and prove their way out” and while I get where that’s coming from, I also think gender essentialism and viewing abusiveness as innate is a huge problem + deflection from how prevention works
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
Men aren’t born with a propensity to commit acts of sexual violence. It is socialized behavior, often learned through abuse itself. Take fraternities and hazing as one example. The slightly older students beat the younger ones and the cycle continues year after year. Sports teams, armies, the same.
February 2, 2026 at 2:22 AM
Men aren’t born with a propensity to commit acts of sexual violence. It is socialized behavior, often learned through abuse itself. Take fraternities and hazing as one example. The slightly older students beat the younger ones and the cycle continues year after year. Sports teams, armies, the same.
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
The boomer blocked me. Common The Atlantic L.
February 2, 2026 at 3:47 AM
The boomer blocked me. Common The Atlantic L.
I don't know how much that genocide defending prison guard you're working for is paying you, but groceries aren't much cheaper. This is elite media disconnection at its worst. The Atlantic has fallen so far.
February 2, 2026 at 3:40 AM
I don't know how much that genocide defending prison guard you're working for is paying you, but groceries aren't much cheaper. This is elite media disconnection at its worst. The Atlantic has fallen so far.
It's the landlords you boomer ass fool. Rent is two grand a month. It isn't because someone ordered pizza. Anything not to name the problem, Capitalism.
February 2, 2026 at 3:39 AM
It's the landlords you boomer ass fool. Rent is two grand a month. It isn't because someone ordered pizza. Anything not to name the problem, Capitalism.
People order out because they are exhausted fool. Literally to tired to cook. I used to drive 10-12 hours then order McDonalds and that would be the meal for the whole day. You are so disconnected with how people live. Fuck you, the politicians, and the landlords that did this.
February 2, 2026 at 3:36 AM
People order out because they are exhausted fool. Literally to tired to cook. I used to drive 10-12 hours then order McDonalds and that would be the meal for the whole day. You are so disconnected with how people live. Fuck you, the politicians, and the landlords that did this.
100 percent. Settler colonialism, fascism, and white supremacy all go hand in hand. We can't have any kind of anti-fascist politics that's effective without fully rejecting settler colonialism and systematic racism as well.
We must also be viligant against settler colonialist mentalities as well 🙂↕️
"No one is illegal on stolen land."
Based Billie Eilish speaking truth at The Grammys. Keep that in mind too. Native American Rights and sovereignty, anti-racism, and anti-fascism are deeply connected. We need to fight for all of these if we wish to offer real resistance.
Based Billie Eilish speaking truth at The Grammys. Keep that in mind too. Native American Rights and sovereignty, anti-racism, and anti-fascism are deeply connected. We need to fight for all of these if we wish to offer real resistance.
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 AM
100 percent. Settler colonialism, fascism, and white supremacy all go hand in hand. We can't have any kind of anti-fascist politics that's effective without fully rejecting settler colonialism and systematic racism as well.
No one is illegal on stolen land,
Billie Eilish is right.
Fuck the colonial state and its illegitimate borders. Fuck its stormtroopers and pervert elite.
Billie Eilish is right.
Fuck the colonial state and its illegitimate borders. Fuck its stormtroopers and pervert elite.
February 2, 2026 at 3:22 AM
No one is illegal on stolen land,
Billie Eilish is right.
Fuck the colonial state and its illegitimate borders. Fuck its stormtroopers and pervert elite.
Billie Eilish is right.
Fuck the colonial state and its illegitimate borders. Fuck its stormtroopers and pervert elite.
"No one is illegal on stolen land."
Based Billie Eilish speaking truth at The Grammys. Keep that in mind too. Native American Rights and sovereignty, anti-racism, and anti-fascism are deeply connected. We need to fight for all of these if we wish to offer real resistance.
Based Billie Eilish speaking truth at The Grammys. Keep that in mind too. Native American Rights and sovereignty, anti-racism, and anti-fascism are deeply connected. We need to fight for all of these if we wish to offer real resistance.
February 2, 2026 at 3:18 AM
"No one is illegal on stolen land."
Based Billie Eilish speaking truth at The Grammys. Keep that in mind too. Native American Rights and sovereignty, anti-racism, and anti-fascism are deeply connected. We need to fight for all of these if we wish to offer real resistance.
Based Billie Eilish speaking truth at The Grammys. Keep that in mind too. Native American Rights and sovereignty, anti-racism, and anti-fascism are deeply connected. We need to fight for all of these if we wish to offer real resistance.
We are living in a fascist state complete with its own Vichy stormtroopers.
Jesus and Raymundo.
And this, my friends, is how white supremacy works. The detained and tortured are brown and black and so too are those doing the dirty work of repression.
And this, my friends, is how white supremacy works. The detained and tortured are brown and black and so too are those doing the dirty work of repression.
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
February 1, 2026 at 10:29 PM
We are living in a fascist state complete with its own Vichy stormtroopers.
Is Elon saying he's not stressed because he can just sex traffic his own girls for pervert parties? This timeline fucking sucks.
February 1, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Is Elon saying he's not stressed because he can just sex traffic his own girls for pervert parties? This timeline fucking sucks.
Why the fuck does it always have to be a cop show. We don't need more copaganda. You could do one about teachers, social workers, EMTs, firefighters.
February 1, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Why the fuck does it always have to be a cop show. We don't need more copaganda. You could do one about teachers, social workers, EMTs, firefighters.
History has always had people like Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez. Frenchmen who fought for the Nazis against the resistance, folks who joined colonial constabularies, there have and always will be traitors who collaborate with the oppressor for money and privilege.
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 10:17 PM
History has always had people like Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez. Frenchmen who fought for the Nazis against the resistance, folks who joined colonial constabularies, there have and always will be traitors who collaborate with the oppressor for money and privilege.
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
We are definitely in a folk protest music renaissance.
February 1, 2026 at 7:24 PM
We are definitely in a folk protest music renaissance.
One thing that has always struck me about British Terfs & their hypocrisy is how they reacted to Gaza. An in your face, world historic act of mass sexual violence by Israel. Most said nothing, some ran interference for it or supported it. You're right, it's just about hating Trans folks nothing else
February 1, 2026 at 7:29 PM
One thing that has always struck me about British Terfs & their hypocrisy is how they reacted to Gaza. An in your face, world historic act of mass sexual violence by Israel. Most said nothing, some ran interference for it or supported it. You're right, it's just about hating Trans folks nothing else
What are you talking about? There have been mass movements for years, decades. Native American Rights, anti-Fascism, BLM. You're erasing the work of millions of people and thousands of organizers. This is racist, it ignores the work BIPOC, especially WOC have done.
Just want to point out that Americans bragging about who has "more experience" doing activism is like children bragging about job experience. This isn't France, or the 1960s, modern Americans don't have experience with successful mass activism - the Minnesotans tailing ICE are the pioneers rn.
You're being incredibly cavalier about this Stancil. You should listen to experienced activists and stop broadcasting shit for clout. That is what this looks like, you want clout.
February 1, 2026 at 7:03 PM
What are you talking about? There have been mass movements for years, decades. Native American Rights, anti-Fascism, BLM. You're erasing the work of millions of people and thousands of organizers. This is racist, it ignores the work BIPOC, especially WOC have done.
We already live in a dictatorship
They aren’t deescalating anything. They’re claiming new extra-constitutional powers.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
ICE Expands Power of Agents to Arrest People Without Warrants
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:28 PM
We already live in a dictatorship
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
Will Stancil now: “democrats lost because of Society 🧐”
Will Stancil 10 minutes ago: “shut up about Gaza you’re helping Trump shut up shut up shut up” (1/7)
Will Stancil 10 minutes ago: “shut up about Gaza you’re helping Trump shut up shut up shut up” (1/7)
October 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Will Stancil now: “democrats lost because of Society 🧐”
Will Stancil 10 minutes ago: “shut up about Gaza you’re helping Trump shut up shut up shut up” (1/7)
Will Stancil 10 minutes ago: “shut up about Gaza you’re helping Trump shut up shut up shut up” (1/7)
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
Stancil spent 2023-2025 using his substantial platform to question the motives of anti-genocide protestors
bsky.app/profile/devi...
bsky.app/profile/devi...
Will Stancil now: “democrats lost because of Society 🧐”
Will Stancil 10 minutes ago: “shut up about Gaza you’re helping Trump shut up shut up shut up” (1/7)
Will Stancil 10 minutes ago: “shut up about Gaza you’re helping Trump shut up shut up shut up” (1/7)
January 18, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Stancil spent 2023-2025 using his substantial platform to question the motives of anti-genocide protestors
bsky.app/profile/devi...
bsky.app/profile/devi...
I was there and got attacked. This is historical revisionism.
This is *just not true*. I am appalled at the way that almost every news organization is pretending to believe the unsubstantiated allegations of organized right-wing actors, to the point where this lie has now become settled fact.
January 31, 2026 at 9:26 PM
I was there and got attacked. This is historical revisionism.
That shit kills me. It was a pro-Israel lynch mob attacking a peaceful demonstration. I know, I was there and was attacked myself.
Thank you. Some press still refers to the bloody 2024 mob attack on the peaceful UCLA Gaza solidarity encampment as a “clash.” It’s like calling a rape a “sexual encounter.”
January 31, 2026 at 9:05 PM
That shit kills me. It was a pro-Israel lynch mob attacking a peaceful demonstration. I know, I was there and was attacked myself.
Reposted by Mathew Foresta
“There’s no single answer that will solve all our future problems. There’s no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be.”
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
January 31, 2026 at 7:57 PM
“There’s no single answer that will solve all our future problems. There’s no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be.”
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
Common media misogyny.
"Once exiled."
You mean had his career ruined after being exposed as a rapist and sex pest right? One who shows up in the Epstein Files. Fucking hell. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
"Once exiled."
You mean had his career ruined after being exposed as a rapist and sex pest right? One who shows up in the Epstein Files. Fucking hell. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
How once-exiled filmmaker Brett Ratner staged a Hollywood comeback with ‘Melania’
Once considered a box-office king for hits like 'Rush Hour,' Ratner was banished during #MeToo. With President Trump's support and ‘Melania,’ he’s returned.
www.latimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Common media misogyny.
"Once exiled."
You mean had his career ruined after being exposed as a rapist and sex pest right? One who shows up in the Epstein Files. Fucking hell. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
"Once exiled."
You mean had his career ruined after being exposed as a rapist and sex pest right? One who shows up in the Epstein Files. Fucking hell. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...