Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
@profirmf.bsky.social
tired Islam, South Asia, race, & religion professor. podcaster. parent. enthusiastic killjoy. drama & drag & bad movie fan. adoptee. occasional TikTokker. she/her.
(specifics @ profirmf.com)
(specifics @ profirmf.com)
Pinned
Religion Is Not Done with You by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst, Megan Goodwin: 9780807012758 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
A smart, irreverent, and accessible guide to thinking more deeply about how religion permeates and shapes the world around us –and why you need to understand the work it's doing Religion lurks...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
our book is about systems of power—& especially religion
we say repeatedly that religion is what people do
the good & bad & everything
enough white Christian Americans are doing fascism that that is the whole game now
so study up
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/757650...
we say repeatedly that religion is what people do
the good & bad & everything
enough white Christian Americans are doing fascism that that is the whole game now
so study up
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/757650...
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Talked to a Somali man today who said his mosque last night was surrounded by neighbors ready to protect them against ICE if needed. Made me feel proud to live in this city.
January 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Talked to a Somali man today who said his mosque last night was surrounded by neighbors ready to protect them against ICE if needed. Made me feel proud to live in this city.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
ICE has kidnapped so many people from their cars that the city had to put out this statement. Let that sink in.
Vehicles that are abandoned due to an ICE detention and towed to the City's impound lot will be released to their owners or a representative at no cost.
Learn more: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/impound-lot/#d.en.200746
Learn more: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/impound-lot/#d.en.200746
January 16, 2026 at 11:42 PM
ICE has kidnapped so many people from their cars that the city had to put out this statement. Let that sink in.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
If anyone was still pretending this isn’t just about excluding trans kids from public life, the Trump administration just opened a Title IX investigation into a Maine school district because a trans student is on a *co-ed* cheerleading squad.
Newport co-ed cheerleading team is at center of Trump transgender athlete crackdownTrump admin focuses on swimming, cheerleading in Maine transgender athlete probes
The U.S. Department of Education announced a slew of Title IX-related investigations this week that include 2 school districts in Maine.
www.pressherald.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 AM
If anyone was still pretending this isn’t just about excluding trans kids from public life, the Trump administration just opened a Title IX investigation into a Maine school district because a trans student is on a *co-ed* cheerleading squad.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Important to note that christian nationalism’s assault on adoptees (esp those who are not Christian and/or white) has partly brought us here.
Read: Religion Is Not Done with You by @mpgphd.bsky.social & @profirmf.bsky.social
Listen: keeping it 101 podcast, ep. on adoption: keepingit101.com/e703
Read: Religion Is Not Done with You by @mpgphd.bsky.social & @profirmf.bsky.social
Listen: keeping it 101 podcast, ep. on adoption: keepingit101.com/e703
January 14, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Important to note that christian nationalism’s assault on adoptees (esp those who are not Christian and/or white) has partly brought us here.
Read: Religion Is Not Done with You by @mpgphd.bsky.social & @profirmf.bsky.social
Listen: keeping it 101 podcast, ep. on adoption: keepingit101.com/e703
Read: Religion Is Not Done with You by @mpgphd.bsky.social & @profirmf.bsky.social
Listen: keeping it 101 podcast, ep. on adoption: keepingit101.com/e703
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
My reach as an "influencer" barely extends beyond my living room. But may I say that some of the best, most mind-changing books I read in the year of some people's lord 2025 were written by @mpgphd.bsky.social & @profirmf.bsky.social, @johnfugelsang.bsky.social & @lkatfield.bsky.social. Plus ultra.
January 2, 2026 at 11:30 PM
My reach as an "influencer" barely extends beyond my living room. But may I say that some of the best, most mind-changing books I read in the year of some people's lord 2025 were written by @mpgphd.bsky.social & @profirmf.bsky.social, @johnfugelsang.bsky.social & @lkatfield.bsky.social. Plus ultra.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Antisemitic, extremist Christians have always been the biggest threat to Jewish folks and the rest of us.
Religion scholars have been yelling about this for awhile.
@mpgphd.bsky.social
@profirmf.bsky.social
@kellyjbaker.bsky.social
@shreenaniketa.bsky.social
@ichatterjea.bsky.social
Religion scholars have been yelling about this for awhile.
@mpgphd.bsky.social
@profirmf.bsky.social
@kellyjbaker.bsky.social
@shreenaniketa.bsky.social
@ichatterjea.bsky.social
The FBI says that a suspect in the arson fire at the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, admitted to targeting the institution because of its “Jewish ties.”
Court documents say 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman called the historic house of worship "a synagogue of Satan."
Court documents say 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman called the historic house of worship "a synagogue of Satan."
Suspect in Beth Israel Burning Called It a ‘Synagogue of Satan’
A suspect in the arson fire at the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, allegedly admitted to targeting it because of its “Jewish ties.”
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Antisemitic, extremist Christians have always been the biggest threat to Jewish folks and the rest of us.
Religion scholars have been yelling about this for awhile.
@mpgphd.bsky.social
@profirmf.bsky.social
@kellyjbaker.bsky.social
@shreenaniketa.bsky.social
@ichatterjea.bsky.social
Religion scholars have been yelling about this for awhile.
@mpgphd.bsky.social
@profirmf.bsky.social
@kellyjbaker.bsky.social
@shreenaniketa.bsky.social
@ichatterjea.bsky.social
infinity this. co fucking sign. —this adoptee
Like... as an adoptee from California I'm not ALLOWED to see my original birth certificate. The state has decided I can never know who birthed me.
If you're not adopted you have no idea how unmoored that makes a person feel.
If you're not adopted you have no idea how unmoored that makes a person feel.
Frustrating to see #adoption myths regurgitated.
My original birth certificate is locked away in some dingy file cabinet somewhere, and I will never be able to see it unless elected officials in my state change the laws.
And yes. You read that right. I have a falsified birth certificate.
🥚
My original birth certificate is locked away in some dingy file cabinet somewhere, and I will never be able to see it unless elected officials in my state change the laws.
And yes. You read that right. I have a falsified birth certificate.
🥚
January 14, 2026 at 8:04 PM
infinity this. co fucking sign. —this adoptee
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
my hetero lifemate @profirmf.bsky.social is adopted
we've been friends for nearly two decades
let me let you know that most folks have ZERO idea how few rights adoptees have and how nasty people are to them
*I* did not know until we did this series
keepingit101.buzzsprout.com/810974/episo...
we've been friends for nearly two decades
let me let you know that most folks have ZERO idea how few rights adoptees have and how nasty people are to them
*I* did not know until we did this series
keepingit101.buzzsprout.com/810974/episo...
January 14, 2026 at 2:45 PM
my hetero lifemate @profirmf.bsky.social is adopted
we've been friends for nearly two decades
let me let you know that most folks have ZERO idea how few rights adoptees have and how nasty people are to them
*I* did not know until we did this series
keepingit101.buzzsprout.com/810974/episo...
we've been friends for nearly two decades
let me let you know that most folks have ZERO idea how few rights adoptees have and how nasty people are to them
*I* did not know until we did this series
keepingit101.buzzsprout.com/810974/episo...
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Maybe people'll stop talking about midterms and calling senators when they start asking for all this *to leave* the US even temporarily. I promise you that's coming if we stay on this trajectory.
(Source is in the second skeet of thread)
(Source is in the second skeet of thread)
NEW: Five years of social media history is only a fraction of what the US Government will shortly demand of overseas visitors.
The full requirements will end tourism in the United States.
Below is the full, mind-blowing list.
🚨THEY. WANT. YOUR. DNA.🚨
1/
The full requirements will end tourism in the United States.
Below is the full, mind-blowing list.
🚨THEY. WANT. YOUR. DNA.🚨
1/
December 11, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Maybe people'll stop talking about midterms and calling senators when they start asking for all this *to leave* the US even temporarily. I promise you that's coming if we stay on this trajectory.
(Source is in the second skeet of thread)
(Source is in the second skeet of thread)
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
I’ve heard from immigration attorneys that clients say ICE guards lay out the WRAP device (essentially a full-body straitjacket) on the tarmac as a threat — “do what we say or you’re getting the WRAP on the whole flight.”
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
December 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I’ve heard from immigration attorneys that clients say ICE guards lay out the WRAP device (essentially a full-body straitjacket) on the tarmac as a threat — “do what we say or you’re getting the WRAP on the whole flight.”
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Historian focusing on early modern book culture here. I am not sure that feeding a private company with all our past handwritings from archives is a solution or a way forward. Google‘s AI studio is a data trap. #skystorians
Gemini’s ability to read handwritten archival documents has importance beyond the humanities. It opens new frontiers for scientific research and collaboration with the humanities.
foundhistory.org/seeing-old-s...
#ClimateScience #DataScience #Agriculture #Archives #Research #LandGrant #AI
foundhistory.org/seeing-old-s...
#ClimateScience #DataScience #Agriculture #Archives #Research #LandGrant #AI
Seeing Old Science
Gemini’s ability to read handwritten archival documents has importance beyond the humanities
foundhistory.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Historian focusing on early modern book culture here. I am not sure that feeding a private company with all our past handwritings from archives is a solution or a way forward. Google‘s AI studio is a data trap. #skystorians
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Well, college clearly wasn't going to work out for her with that tragedy of an essay. On to a MAGA podcast it is then.
December 6, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Well, college clearly wasn't going to work out for her with that tragedy of an essay. On to a MAGA podcast it is then.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Unfortunately evergreen
They’re forming a CDC workgroup to decide which line on this graph looks better and their answer may surprise you
December 6, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Unfortunately evergreen
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
It might be easy to find things like this merely petty or superficial, but that would be a mistake. Demeaning, erasing or eliminating celebrations or acknowledgments of Black America is straight from Redemption playbook, and is intended to reinforce the racial hierarchy and signal its reinstatement.
National parks change prioritizes Trump birthday over days honoring Black people
Free entrance days at national parks no longer include MLK Day and Juneteenth.
www.sfgate.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM
It might be easy to find things like this merely petty or superficial, but that would be a mistake. Demeaning, erasing or eliminating celebrations or acknowledgments of Black America is straight from Redemption playbook, and is intended to reinforce the racial hierarchy and signal its reinstatement.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
I've become deeply radicalized against gambling. It's just getting more evil the longer it's allowed to fester unregulated
"Soon, CNN will run live odds on world events where its viewers can gamble on them in real time on their smartphones."
CNN Partners With a Gambling App That Lets You Wager on Starvation in Gaza
The app company’s two biggest investors are also heavily invested in the Israeli military.
truthout.org
December 6, 2025 at 3:36 AM
I've become deeply radicalized against gambling. It's just getting more evil the longer it's allowed to fester unregulated
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
It remains fucking crazy that we've turned the entire federal government over to a bunch of internet trolls.
Sabrina Carpenter ratioed the White House after it used her song in an ICE video.
The WH deleted the post…but now it’s back with a new ICE video, this time using an altered clip from Carpenter’s SNL monologue.
The WH deleted the post…but now it’s back with a new ICE video, this time using an altered clip from Carpenter’s SNL monologue.
December 6, 2025 at 4:55 AM
It remains fucking crazy that we've turned the entire federal government over to a bunch of internet trolls.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Pastor Black: While I was in the middle of using the words of Jesus, they opened fire on me. It was so clear that they had been so poorly trained, or — the alternative — that they had been deliberately told to escalate violence against peaceful protesters.
December 5, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Pastor Black: While I was in the middle of using the words of Jesus, they opened fire on me. It was so clear that they had been so poorly trained, or — the alternative — that they had been deliberately told to escalate violence against peaceful protesters.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Every billionaire is a policy failure.
(I make no claims as to the accuracy of the quoted post, but my point stands)
(I make no claims as to the accuracy of the quoted post, but my point stands)
There are now 2,900 billionaires, and they hold $15.8 trillion.
The wealth of the bottom 50% of the global population, over 4 billion people, is estimated at $3.7 trillion.
The wealth of the bottom 50% of the global population, over 4 billion people, is estimated at $3.7 trillion.
December 5, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Every billionaire is a policy failure.
(I make no claims as to the accuracy of the quoted post, but my point stands)
(I make no claims as to the accuracy of the quoted post, but my point stands)
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
helps to think about the details like any regular crime you'd see on one of the 800 cop shows that run on TV constantly: these guys committed one set of murders, thought it over, and then decided to kill the witnesses as part of the coverup. mention of drugs is just jingling keys at this point
December 5, 2025 at 3:14 AM
helps to think about the details like any regular crime you'd see on one of the 800 cop shows that run on TV constantly: these guys committed one set of murders, thought it over, and then decided to kill the witnesses as part of the coverup. mention of drugs is just jingling keys at this point
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Today I'm teaching the last few classes of the worst semester of my career. Just poor attendance, rampant AI use, disruptive students, and a sea of blank, disinterested faces. That last one is especially tough. It's hard to perform for a crowd that seems intent on giving no reaction whatsoever.
December 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today I'm teaching the last few classes of the worst semester of my career. Just poor attendance, rampant AI use, disruptive students, and a sea of blank, disinterested faces. That last one is especially tough. It's hard to perform for a crowd that seems intent on giving no reaction whatsoever.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
Like I've said before, if you have any doubts about climate change, just go to a super-boring insurance conference and listen to the super-boring panels where they dryly talk about the growing threat of disasters so catastrophic and unpredictable in scope they simply cannot be insured at any price.
Wild how the Fed chair saying that *entire regions of the United States* won’t be able to get a mortgage in the next decade barely registered as a news event
June 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Like I've said before, if you have any doubts about climate change, just go to a super-boring insurance conference and listen to the super-boring panels where they dryly talk about the growing threat of disasters so catastrophic and unpredictable in scope they simply cannot be insured at any price.
Reposted by Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
🚨 Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Koch History Centre Fellowships at Oxford!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
🚨 Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Koch History Centre Fellowships at Oxford!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!
We are seeking 12 historians (9 junior, 3 senior) for a one-year fellowship at Wadham College & the Faculty of History.
This year’s theme: “Scarcity and Abundance”
Deadline: 17 Dec 2025
Please share widely!