Matt Nelsen
@mattnelsen.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Political Science | Author of The Color of Civics | Civic Education Advocate | Race, Place, and Young People | All Things Chicago
Pinned
Matt Nelsen
@mattnelsen.bsky.social
· Jul 10
Forty Acres and a Mule: Symbolic Politics and the Pursuit for Black Reparations in the United States | Perspectives on Politics | Cambridge Core
Forty Acres and a Mule: Symbolic Politics and the Pursuit for Black Reparations in the United States
doi.org
I’m excited to share that “Forty Acres and a Mule: Symbolic Politics and the Pursuit for Black Reparations in the United States” (co-authored with Monique Newton and @asdurso.bsky.social ) is now available #OpenAccess at @poppublicsphere.bsky.social @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org
(1/12)
(1/12)
The 47th Ward shows up.
Easily several hundred people have packed into this plaza in Chicago's North Center tonight in response to ICE abducting a daycare worker early this morning.
This is a neighborhood that has largely been spared until now from the "Midway Blitz" terror campaign. But everyone knows someone affected.
This is a neighborhood that has largely been spared until now from the "Midway Blitz" terror campaign. But everyone knows someone affected.
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 AM
The 47th Ward shows up.
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
The Democrats won several VA House seats where winning looked like a pipe dream going into the election. The Dems won these seats because they recruited candidates and actually campaigned. Important lesson for 26--the electorate is pissed--but you can only win when you run. Run everywhere!
Democrats contested all 100 Virginia House of Delegates races. Part of the party’s statewide success is due to the synergies between the legislative and statewide campaigns—even the losing ones. This is a big reason why Jay Jones won comfortably. This is a model the Dems should emulate everywhere
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Democrats won several VA House seats where winning looked like a pipe dream going into the election. The Dems won these seats because they recruited candidates and actually campaigned. Important lesson for 26--the electorate is pissed--but you can only win when you run. Run everywhere!
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
The gift I am giving myself today is a refusal to be baited into reading any of the many opinion pieces trivializing the results of NYC’s mayoral race
Focusing on the concerns of working people is a winning strategy across contexts, and it’s time we embrace authentic regional variation in tactics
Focusing on the concerns of working people is a winning strategy across contexts, and it’s time we embrace authentic regional variation in tactics
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The gift I am giving myself today is a refusal to be baited into reading any of the many opinion pieces trivializing the results of NYC’s mayoral race
Focusing on the concerns of working people is a winning strategy across contexts, and it’s time we embrace authentic regional variation in tactics
Focusing on the concerns of working people is a winning strategy across contexts, and it’s time we embrace authentic regional variation in tactics
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
What we know, 10:20pm
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
What we know, 10:20pm
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
Mamdani has performed particularly well among young voters 18-30. This has not been surprising to us at the GenForward Survey. For years, our data has shown that young adults across racial, partisan, and regional divides are open and enthusiastic about a leftist, economic populism.
Democrat’s Key for Winning Back Young Voters? A Progressive Economic Agenda – GenForward Survey
genforwardsurvey.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Mamdani has performed particularly well among young voters 18-30. This has not been surprising to us at the GenForward Survey. For years, our data has shown that young adults across racial, partisan, and regional divides are open and enthusiastic about a leftist, economic populism.
The media is doling out a lot of caveats about NYC being a unique context while discussing what Mamdani’s campaign might signal for the future of the Democratic Party.
While this may be true, we also shouldn’t write off the significance of a message that can drive urban turnout to historic levels.
While this may be true, we also shouldn’t write off the significance of a message that can drive urban turnout to historic levels.
November 5, 2025 at 2:34 AM
The media is doling out a lot of caveats about NYC being a unique context while discussing what Mamdani’s campaign might signal for the future of the Democratic Party.
While this may be true, we also shouldn’t write off the significance of a message that can drive urban turnout to historic levels.
While this may be true, we also shouldn’t write off the significance of a message that can drive urban turnout to historic levels.
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Several hundred kids just marched past my house because John Marshall High is doing an anti-ICE walk out.
LA's tradition of high schoolers using their voices to push back on racism and inequality is really an inspiring thing.
LA's tradition of high schoolers using their voices to push back on racism and inequality is really an inspiring thing.
November 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Several hundred kids just marched past my house because John Marshall High is doing an anti-ICE walk out.
LA's tradition of high schoolers using their voices to push back on racism and inequality is really an inspiring thing.
LA's tradition of high schoolers using their voices to push back on racism and inequality is really an inspiring thing.
We appreciate the opportunity to share our work about Evanston’s reparations initiative—and its implications for multiracial democracy in the U.S.—with @lseusablog.bsky.social!
When designing reparations policies, authorities must ensure Black Americans have a seat at the table from the start write @mattnelsen.bsky.social of @univmiami.bsky.social, Monique Newton of @polisciatnu.bsky.social and @asdurso.bsky.social of Georgetown University
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
When designing reparations policies, authorities must ensure Black Americans have a seat at the table from the start | USAPP
As the beneficiaries of reparations policies, Black Americans must have a close part of the policy development process.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
We appreciate the opportunity to share our work about Evanston’s reparations initiative—and its implications for multiracial democracy in the U.S.—with @lseusablog.bsky.social!
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
When designing reparations policies, authorities must ensure Black Americans have a seat at the table from the start write @mattnelsen.bsky.social of @univmiami.bsky.social, Monique Newton of @polisciatnu.bsky.social and @asdurso.bsky.social of Georgetown University
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
When designing reparations policies, authorities must ensure Black Americans have a seat at the table from the start | USAPP
As the beneficiaries of reparations policies, Black Americans must have a close part of the policy development process.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 28, 2025 at 12:24 PM
When designing reparations policies, authorities must ensure Black Americans have a seat at the table from the start write @mattnelsen.bsky.social of @univmiami.bsky.social, Monique Newton of @polisciatnu.bsky.social and @asdurso.bsky.social of Georgetown University
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
I really enjoyed this conversation with @smettler.bsky.social about America’s urban-rural divide. In particular, emphasizing that Democrats should be consistently organizing—not just messaging—to rural Americans (and everyone for that matter) should be front of mind for the party.
(1/4)
(1/4)
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
Why Rural America Turned on the Democratic Party | The Ezra Klein Show
YouTube video by The Ezra Klein Show
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I really enjoyed this conversation with @smettler.bsky.social about America’s urban-rural divide. In particular, emphasizing that Democrats should be consistently organizing—not just messaging—to rural Americans (and everyone for that matter) should be front of mind for the party.
(1/4)
(1/4)
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
Why Rural America Turned on the Democratic Party | The Ezra Klein Show
YouTube video by The Ezra Klein Show
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
The Rural Power Behind Trump’s Assault on Blue Cities
The political scientist @smettler.bsky.social examines the roots of America’s urban-rural divide and how Democrats can win back rural voters.
open.spotify.com/episode/2zQ9...
youtu.be/M9bjypc1rS4?...
Whether you believe the purpose of education is democracy or academic achievement, walking away from critical, engaging, and inclusive social studies curricula will negatively impact both.
We need to start embracing the politics of curriculum debates and defend interventions that benefit kids.
We need to start embracing the politics of curriculum debates and defend interventions that benefit kids.
How Politics Is Changing the Way History Is Taught
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Whether you believe the purpose of education is democracy or academic achievement, walking away from critical, engaging, and inclusive social studies curricula will negatively impact both.
We need to start embracing the politics of curriculum debates and defend interventions that benefit kids.
We need to start embracing the politics of curriculum debates and defend interventions that benefit kids.
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Counterpoint: Teaching history is inherently and always political.
In San Antonio, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, the county's elected top administrator, decried Patrick's “gross political interference.”
"We need to get politics out of our teaching of history. Period,” he said in a statement Friday.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/wir...
"We need to get politics out of our teaching of history. Period,” he said in a statement Friday.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/wir...
CEO of the Alamo's historic site has resigned after a top Republican criticized her
The CEO of the nonprofit managing the Alamo has resigned after a powerful Republican state official criticized her and suggested she has views that are not compatible with the Texas shrine's history
abcnews.go.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Counterpoint: Teaching history is inherently and always political.
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Read a free sample! It's enough for a citation for sure :)
In Backlash Presidents, @juliaazari.bsky.social reveals how most presidents avoid upsetting the racial status quo—and why those who do pave the way for lawless, norm-violating successors.
Read a free sample of this incisive book: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
#PoliSci #PoliticalScience
Read a free sample of this incisive book: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
#PoliSci #PoliticalScience
October 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Read a free sample! It's enough for a citation for sure :)
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Matt was a student of mine when he was an undergrad. Sometimes the student exceeds the teacher so much he must have started out halfway there in the first place.
It was great chatting with @gorenlj.bsky.social from the @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social about The Color of Civics.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
Matthew D. Nelsen,
Podcast Episode · New Books in American Politics · 10/23/2025 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Matt was a student of mine when he was an undergrad. Sometimes the student exceeds the teacher so much he must have started out halfway there in the first place.
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Such a timely book… really recommend this episode and The Color of Civics by @mattnelsen.bsky.social
It was great chatting with @gorenlj.bsky.social from the @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social about The Color of Civics.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
Matthew D. Nelsen,
Podcast Episode · New Books in American Politics · 10/23/2025 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Such a timely book… really recommend this episode and The Color of Civics by @mattnelsen.bsky.social
It was great chatting with @gorenlj.bsky.social from the @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social about The Color of Civics.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
Matthew D. Nelsen,
Podcast Episode · New Books in American Politics · 10/23/2025 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
It was great chatting with @gorenlj.bsky.social from the @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social about The Color of Civics.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
In the episode, we discuss key findings from the book, my experiences as a public school teacher that sparked my interest in civic education, and the story behind the book’s cover.
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior By Allison P. Anoll, Vanderbilt University, Lauren D. Davenport, Stanford University, and Rachel Lienesch, Vanderbilt University Since Key and Allport, scholars have argued that racial context affects…
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior By Allison P. Anoll, Vanderbilt University, Lauren D. Davenport, Stanford University, and Rachel Lienesch, Vanderbilt University Since Key and Allport, scholars have argued that racial context affects…
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior By Allison P. Anoll, Vanderbilt University, Lauren D. Davenport, Stanford University, and Rachel Lienesch, Vanderbilt University Since Key and Allport, scholars have argued that racial context affects political behavior, with some finding out-group contact increases intergroup hostility and others showing the opposite. We argue that Americans exist in multiple racial contexts simultaneously that may overlap or conflict, helping to explain past discord.
politicalsciencenow.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior By Allison P. Anoll, Vanderbilt University, Lauren D. Davenport, Stanford University, and Rachel Lienesch, Vanderbilt University Since Key and Allport, scholars have argued that racial context affects…
Racial Context(s) in American Political Behavior By Allison P. Anoll, Vanderbilt University, Lauren D. Davenport, Stanford University, and Rachel Lienesch, Vanderbilt University Since Key and Allport, scholars have argued that racial context affects…
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
State rep. Hoan Huynh shared video of agents surrounding his vehicle/stopping him + staffers shortly after he said one agent pointed a gun inside his vehicle at him while another threatened to break a window. They were following feds in Albany Park after four people were reportedly taken.
Story tk.
Story tk.
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 AM
State rep. Hoan Huynh shared video of agents surrounding his vehicle/stopping him + staffers shortly after he said one agent pointed a gun inside his vehicle at him while another threatened to break a window. They were following feds in Albany Park after four people were reportedly taken.
Story tk.
Story tk.
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
Hoan Huynh was alerting the community on the Northwest Side to the presence of federal agents when they blocked his vehicle on a residential street and an agent pointed a gun at him and others in the vehicle, according to a statement from his office.
trib.al/edi6hIM
trib.al/edi6hIM
ICE agents accused of pointing gun at state Rep. Hoan Huynh in Albany Park
Hoan Huynh was alerting the community on the Northwest Side to the presence of federal agents when they blocked his vehicle on a residential street and an agent pointed a gun at him and others in the vehicle, according to a statement from his office.
trib.al
October 22, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Hoan Huynh was alerting the community on the Northwest Side to the presence of federal agents when they blocked his vehicle on a residential street and an agent pointed a gun at him and others in the vehicle, according to a statement from his office.
trib.al/edi6hIM
trib.al/edi6hIM
Reposted by Matt Nelsen
white reactionaries disenfranchising black voters to secure political power? that’s a jim crow. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
The Supreme Court Case That Could Hand the House to Republicans
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
white reactionaries disenfranchising black voters to secure political power? that’s a jim crow. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Strong neighborhoods are precisely why Robert Sampson calls Chicago the “Great American City.”
“Residents have begun forming volunteer groups to monitor their neighborhoods for federal immigration agents. Others honk their horns or blow whistles when they see agents nearby.”
“Residents have begun forming volunteer groups to monitor their neighborhoods for federal immigration agents. Others honk their horns or blow whistles when they see agents nearby.”
ICE Is Cracking Down on Chicago. Some Chicagoans Are Fighting Back.
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Strong neighborhoods are precisely why Robert Sampson calls Chicago the “Great American City.”
“Residents have begun forming volunteer groups to monitor their neighborhoods for federal immigration agents. Others honk their horns or blow whistles when they see agents nearby.”
“Residents have begun forming volunteer groups to monitor their neighborhoods for federal immigration agents. Others honk their horns or blow whistles when they see agents nearby.”
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to share my research with students and faculty at my alma mater—St. Olaf College (Um Yah Yah!)
Talking about the enormous and life changing potential of education at the place that helped lay the path for a research career has me feeling all the feels.
Talking about the enormous and life changing potential of education at the place that helped lay the path for a research career has me feeling all the feels.
October 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to share my research with students and faculty at my alma mater—St. Olaf College (Um Yah Yah!)
Talking about the enormous and life changing potential of education at the place that helped lay the path for a research career has me feeling all the feels.
Talking about the enormous and life changing potential of education at the place that helped lay the path for a research career has me feeling all the feels.