Monisha Bajaj

@monishabajaj.bsky.social

6K followers 1.7K following 210 posts

Professor & scholar of peace, human rights, migration & education
University of San Francisco
(views posted here are my own)
Debut picture book A YEAR OF KITES out in 2026 with Bloomsbury
www.monishabajaj.net

Pronouns: she/her/वह .. more

Videos

Political science 36%

Sociology 29%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Pinned

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · Apr 25

✨✨ COVER REVEAL ✨✨

Kites serve as a universal metaphor for hope, aspirations & transcendence across cultures 🪁

In A YEAR OF KITES - out Feb '26 w/
@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social - we explore 12 different kite-flying traditions across the world

📚 Pre-order at bit.ly/yearofkites or a.co/d/1XS2IAJ

Reposted by Mary Feeney, Sarah Colvin, Monisha Bajaj

Haymarket Books @haymarketbooks.org · 2d

Help us send 2,000 books to readers who are incarcerated this winter through our Books Not Bars program

Books Not Bars 2025 Holiday Campaign

BOOKS NOT BARS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Haymarket Books is committed to making our books available for free to people who are incarcerated. In an effort to support those inside who are dealing with the imm...

haymarketbooks.app.neoncrm.com

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 2d

Such an insightful piece!

Deepa Iyer @deepaiyer.bsky.social · 3d

My toughest audience taught me about what matters in the midst of harsh news headlines and hopelessness. Read my latest Substack here:

open.substack.com/pub/deepaiye...

What My Toughest Audience Taught Me (and an Invitation for 2026)

About a year ago, I nervously stood in front of an audience that I had never spoken to before...

open.substack.com

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Deepa Iyer @deepaiyer.bsky.social · 3d

My toughest audience taught me about what matters in the midst of harsh news headlines and hopelessness. Read my latest Substack here:

open.substack.com/pub/deepaiye...

What My Toughest Audience Taught Me (and an Invitation for 2026)

About a year ago, I nervously stood in front of an audience that I had never spoken to before...

open.substack.com

Reposted by Joanna Bryson, Jan W. Mueller, Elizabeth Saunders , and 38 more Joanna Bryson, Jan W. Mueller, Elizabeth Saunders, Nandita Sharma, Jonathan A. Eisen, Joe R. Feagin, Gavin A. Schmidt, Steve Peers, David H. Kaye, Tom Shakespeare, Rosemary A. Joyce, Diane Ravitch, Jonathan M. Gilligan, Anders Nilsson, Susan Hyde, Mary Corcoran, Kevin Carey, Daniel Stone, Daniel W. Drezner, Michael Kevane, Smith, Melanie C. Green, Janet Murray, Alan Richardson, Luis Garicano, John Palfrey, Caroline Fohlin, Erol Akçay, Jason Lyall, Nora V. Demleitner, Mark Rice, Paul Nightingale, Claire L. Adida, Daxton R. Stewart, Aviel Roshwald, Richard Moorhead, James M. Thomas, David Spurrett, Dunlap, David Darmofal, Monisha Bajaj

Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 7d

I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.

He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...

Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression

The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Dirk Pilat, Aaron Sojourner, Monisha Bajaj

Larry Ferlazzo @larryferlazzo.bsky.social · 8d

Elon Musk is set to make more than every U.S. elementary teacher combined www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...

a cartoon dog is sitting at a table in front of a fire with the words it 's fine everything is fine

ALT: a cartoon dog is sitting at a table in front of a fire with the words it 's fine everything is fine

media.tenor.com

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 8d

Check out the bookstop page with @scbwi.bsky.social for A YEAR OF KITES @amberren.bsky.social
www.scbwi.org/bookstop/boo...

A YEAR OF KITES

In this inviting and informative picture book, travel the globe and learn how kites are flown to honor gods and ancestors, bring good fortune, celebrate milestones, and join communities together. Kit...

www.scbwi.org

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 13d

🙏🏽🪁💕

Reposted by Will Jennings, Monisha Bajaj

Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 13d

The Epstein files are clearly more damning than we assumed, which is saying something.

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Oliver @oliver48.bsky.social · 16d

A story you won't see in the billionaire press ...

"The Indian state of Kerala has become the first in the country to eradicate extreme poverty – one year ahead of schedule – thanks to a 'meticulously planned' programme led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)"
www.facebook.com/novaramedia/...

Novara Media

The Indian state of Kerala has become the first in the country to eradicate extreme poverty – one year ahead of schedule – thanks to a “meticulously planned” programme led by the Communist Party of...

www.facebook.com

Reposted by Brooke Harrington, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Monisha Bajaj

s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 16d

Anyway a great way to radicalize people is for them to realize that you just abandoned their chance at being able to access and afford health care because you didn’t like waiting in line at the airport.

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Sanford F. Schram, Monisha Bajaj

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 19d

Tesla’s profit fell 37% in the third quarter. It's been in the process of laying off 14,000 workers. It had more cars impacted by recalls than any other brand in 2024.

Yet Elon Musk just got a pay package worth $1 trillion.

American capitalism is off the rails.

Reposted by Robert B. Reich, Monisha Bajaj

Brian Goldstone @brian-goldstone.bsky.social · 19d

The Trump administration is now literally *fighting* to deny food to 42 million people, more than a third of them children.

Read that again.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...

NYT headline: Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund Food Stamps This Month

The Justice Department later said it would appeal, leaving the program known as SNAP in limbo.

Reposted by Melissa R. Michelson, Fabián Muniesa, Laurent Dubois , and 2 more Melissa R. Michelson, Fabián Muniesa, Laurent Dubois, Nancy M. Wingfield, Monisha Bajaj

Mara Gay @maragay.bsky.social · 21d

Mamdani announces transition team:

All-female team led by Elana Leopold, a known Dem strategist; also Melanie Hartzog, who once led the NYC’s health and human services and budget offices; former dep mayor Maria Torres-Springer, and Lina Khan, the former FTC commissioner who campaigned with Mamdani

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 21d

BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.

Follow AP for live updates.

Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power

One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.

bit.ly

Reposted by W. Andy Knight, Monisha Bajaj

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 21d

The oligarchy came out in full force against Zohran Mamdani's fight for a more affordable NYC.

It didn't matter.

Let his victory in the face of Big Money serve as a reminder that people have the power.

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 21d

Powerful opening of #IPRA2025 in Aotearoa @iprasocials.bsky.social

Grateful to be here w/ students, faculty & alums of @usfca-ime.bsky.social @szunes.bsky.social + so many amazing scholars/activists from around the 🌍

"Māori use ceremony as a way to lay down pain in exchange for peace" (keynote)

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 26d

San Ramon in the “progressive” Northern California Bay Area 🙄

bookriot.com/the-day-the-...

Why Did These Authors Have Their School Visit Canceled? They Were Talking About Their Book About Book Bans.

Country Club Elementary School in California's Bay Area canceled an author visit moments before it began. Why? It covered book bans.

bookriot.com

Reposted by Ann Bartow, Monisha Bajaj

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 27d

The refusal to fund SNAP will drive millions into hunger.

But when the Trump administration chooses cruelty,
@newyorkstateag.bsky.social chooses courage.

Grateful for her joining this suit to keep people fed.

Dozens of States Sue Trump Administration Over Planned Food Stamp Cuts

www.nytimes.com

Monisha Bajaj @monishabajaj.bsky.social · 28d

First review of @amberren.bsky.social & my forthcoming picture book (my debut!), A YEAR OF KITES, is out from Kirkus:

"...A high-flying and illuminating celebration of kites, culture, and connection." ~Kirkus

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

A YEAR OF KITES | Kirkus Reviews

For almost 3,000 years, humans have flown kites in cultures across the globe.

www.kirkusreviews.com

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 28d

With Donald Trump's government shutdown halting SNAP food benefits, California is stepping up.

We've fast-tracked $80 million to food banks across the state and deployed hundreds of California National Guard service members to help make sure Californians in need don't go hungry.

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 28d

Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab says satellite images seem to show mass killings in Sudan's western city of el-Fasher.

Yale report finds evidence of RSF mass killings in Sudan’s el-Fasher

Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab says satellite images seem to show mass killings in Sudan's western city of el-Fasher.

bit.ly

Reposted by Suzanne Conklin Akbari, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Monisha Bajaj

Dheepa Sundaram, PhD (she/her) @themodsisyphus.bsky.social · 29d

Here are some places to donate $$ to help. In south FL, there are places to donate provisions.

1. American Friends of Jamaica: shorturl.at/HqzGw
2. Americares Hurricane Fund: shorturl.at/dkdqB
3. Direct Relief: shorturl.at/uLeWw
4. WCK: shorturl.at/l6tgj
5. Other vetted charities: shorturl.at/WI4q6

Reposted by Gerald Friedman, Ann Bartow, Monisha Bajaj

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 29d

Here's my full interview with Jon Stewart on @thedailyshow.com.

Zohran Mamdani - Reimagining NYC Through Safety and Affordability | The Daily Show

YouTube video by The Daily Show

youtu.be

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Efrén O. Pérez, Philip Nel , and 9 more Joe R. Feagin, Efrén O. Pérez, Philip Nel, Harry Ferguson, Sanford F. Schram, Janet Murray, Carlos Nunes Silva, Christopher Peters, Erin O’Donnell, Clayton Littlejohn, Farah Mendlesohn, Monisha Bajaj

Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 29d

The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP.

Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP.

The people who need help are not the problem.

It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.

Reposted by Monisha Bajaj

Dean Obeidallah @deanobeidallah.bsky.social · Oct 24

WOW: "The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help fund military pay." Trump is doing his best to make the US military his own private militia. This is very dangerous. www.mediaite.com/media/news/t...

Trump to Use $130 Million From Private Donor to Help Pay Troops Amid Shutdown

The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to help fund military pay during the ongoing government shutdown — an extraordinary move made under its general gif...

www.mediaite.com

Reposted by Dorothy Bishop, Monisha Bajaj

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · Oct 23

My friend told me that her 14 year old son started doing laundry on Sundays for some of his elderly neighbors. He doesn't charge for the labor. And now he is the most popular person in the building and has non stop pies, cookies, and cake. The 14 year old should be our model of modern masculinity.

Reposted by Robert Black, Maya Sen, Adrian Daub , and 4 more Robert Black, Maya Sen, Adrian Daub, Nicole Guenther Discenza, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Monisha Bajaj, Jesse R. Lasky

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · Oct 22

absolutely shameful that the university has embraced the administration’s demand that it discriminate against its students. this is the board of visitors telling UVA students that if they aren’t white and cisgendered then they don’t belong.

mady castigan✨ 🏳️‍⚧️ @madycast.com · Oct 22

The University of Virginia has capitulated to Trump on transgender and race (affirmative action) issues.

The details are currently sparse, but reporting suggests they've agreed to define trans people out of existence and ban trans students from facilities.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

That includes any race-based scholarships and programs, including any promotion of external scholarships that consider race, and DEI trainings and workshops. Institutions were also told they should no longer prioritize “underrepresented groups” for admissions or hiring, and they must prohibit transgender students from playing on sports teams and using facilities designated for women and girls.

Reposted by Rebecca Tushnet, Monisha Bajaj

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · Oct 19

I've mentioned this before but it bears repeating. Don't leave FSA funds on the table at the end of the year. LOTS of places like homeless shelters etc... would love donations of FSA eligible items. For the past 2 years, I've used left over funds to shop here: fsastore.com - then donate the items.

The FSA Store - Browse and Buy over 2,500+ Flexible Spending Account Eligible Items Online

The FSA Store carries over 2,500+ guaranteed FSA-eligible products, health essentials, and more.

fsastore.com