Robyn Schroeder
@reconstitut.bsky.social
teacher of places, nostalgic for things, designated remember / public historian
We tried to find the real site of the College Camp, a Williamsburg place now on William & Mary's campus, where thousands of Virginians (free, enslaved, indigenous, some women camp followers) trained and served in the era of the revolution. This place must have been nuts.
news.wm.edu/2026/01/30/p...
news.wm.edu/2026/01/30/p...
Professor uncovers Revolutionary War history with class, tour
Through rigorous research on the revolutionary era highlighted on C-SPAN, History Professor Robyn Schroeder will launch a tour of various sites on campus in April 2026.
news.wm.edu
January 30, 2026 at 6:42 PM
We tried to find the real site of the College Camp, a Williamsburg place now on William & Mary's campus, where thousands of Virginians (free, enslaved, indigenous, some women camp followers) trained and served in the era of the revolution. This place must have been nuts.
news.wm.edu/2026/01/30/p...
news.wm.edu/2026/01/30/p...
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
One of the reasons this is so under-appreciated is that our university presidents have been & continue to be almost totally absent from the public square in loudly & collectively condemning this existential assault on our institutions & our industry coming from the far right authoritarian party.
one of the least-appreciated own-goals happening right now is the deliberate sabotage of our knowledge/research sector www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Texas Halts Hiring of H-1B Workers at State Colleges, Agencies
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies and public universities to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions, curtailing a program that has also been overhauled by President Donald Trump.
www.bloomberg.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:20 PM
One of the reasons this is so under-appreciated is that our university presidents have been & continue to be almost totally absent from the public square in loudly & collectively condemning this existential assault on our institutions & our industry coming from the far right authoritarian party.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
“Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, stole a bunch of its oil, sold it, and stashed the money in banks in Qatar” is a stone-cold CLASSIC of this genre
The stuff in the GOP bill is some of the clearest ever examples of "if you explain what Republicans are doing in straightforward factual terms an otherwise under-informed normie will think you have entirely lost your mind and can't be trusted"
January 17, 2026 at 2:48 AM
“Trump invaded Venezuela, kidnapped its president, stole a bunch of its oil, sold it, and stashed the money in banks in Qatar” is a stone-cold CLASSIC of this genre
Lincoln: Whenever I hear a man defend slavery, I have the worst urge to see it tried out on *him*.
Wonder what he'd think of the defenders of masked unidentified officials shooting the faces of people who don't comply?
Hard to say which defense lacks more instinct for self-preservation.
Wonder what he'd think of the defenders of masked unidentified officials shooting the faces of people who don't comply?
Hard to say which defense lacks more instinct for self-preservation.
The dishonesty of “conservatives” about the killing of Renee Good makes me want to quote Lincoln: “When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty -- to Russia where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”
January 10, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Lincoln: Whenever I hear a man defend slavery, I have the worst urge to see it tried out on *him*.
Wonder what he'd think of the defenders of masked unidentified officials shooting the faces of people who don't comply?
Hard to say which defense lacks more instinct for self-preservation.
Wonder what he'd think of the defenders of masked unidentified officials shooting the faces of people who don't comply?
Hard to say which defense lacks more instinct for self-preservation.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
As a government employee, my salary, my employment records, my research notes, even my email – all are public record.
Meanwhile this upholstery enthusiast thinks that simply revealing the identities of his goons is a crime.
Meanwhile this upholstery enthusiast thinks that simply revealing the identities of his goons is a crime.
January 8, 2026 at 6:07 AM
As a government employee, my salary, my employment records, my research notes, even my email – all are public record.
Meanwhile this upholstery enthusiast thinks that simply revealing the identities of his goons is a crime.
Meanwhile this upholstery enthusiast thinks that simply revealing the identities of his goons is a crime.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
New at the Free Press: A College Student Interrupted My Talk On Why Colonialism Was Good For A Solid Minute - Here IS Why That Is The Biggest Threat to Free Speech in America
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Sen. Mark Kelly will face administrative action
January 5, 2026 at 4:06 PM
New at the Free Press: A College Student Interrupted My Talk On Why Colonialism Was Good For A Solid Minute - Here IS Why That Is The Biggest Threat to Free Speech in America
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
Currently at the funeral for the penny, happening at the Lincoln Memorial:
December 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Currently at the funeral for the penny, happening at the Lincoln Memorial:
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Opinion | Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Does. Why Don’t Democrats?
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
Powerful stuff.
Watch Rep. Sarah McBride's Powerful Statement on Republicans' Anti-Trans Obsession
The first openly trans member of Congress made a rare, personal appeal as the GOP wages an all-out assault on trans youth.
www.readtpa.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Powerful stuff.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
"the issue isn’t that we need more 'boy-friendly' reforms. It’s that boys are socialized to compete only with boys and to read girls’ success as illegitimate or emasculating. The result is dissonance, resentment, and disengagement for boys—and hostile climates for girls."
time.com/7335723/auto...
time.com/7335723/auto...
The Real Way Schools are Failing Boys
“If we really want boys to succeed, we need to ensure that they know how to both beat—and lose— to girls."
time.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:21 AM
"the issue isn’t that we need more 'boy-friendly' reforms. It’s that boys are socialized to compete only with boys and to read girls’ success as illegitimate or emasculating. The result is dissonance, resentment, and disengagement for boys—and hostile climates for girls."
time.com/7335723/auto...
time.com/7335723/auto...
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
What the hell is the point of the filibuster if not to prevent something like this? I'm at a loss for words.
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
What the hell is the point of the filibuster if not to prevent something like this? I'm at a loss for words.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
I’ve come to believe that we need to gather considerable forces and a campaign to demand the removal of face masks by ICE, Border Patrol, FBI and police.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
Video on social media shows an immigration agent pulling a gun in Little Village and holding it to the side — which is not an appropriate or safe way to hold a gun. (Among other issues.)
November 9, 2025 at 3:41 AM
I’ve come to believe that we need to gather considerable forces and a campaign to demand the removal of face masks by ICE, Border Patrol, FBI and police.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
yeah, the idea that Trump will stop Boko Haram types by ending aid to the Nigerian federal government is as confused as the idea that he is actually interested in the welfare of the same Nigerian Christians he put on a categorical travel ban 5 years ago
news-archive.hds.harvard.edu/news/2020/03...
news-archive.hds.harvard.edu/news/2020/03...
Faculty Insight: What Trump’s Nigeria Travel Ban Means | HDS News Archive
news-archive.hds.harvard.edu
November 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
yeah, the idea that Trump will stop Boko Haram types by ending aid to the Nigerian federal government is as confused as the idea that he is actually interested in the welfare of the same Nigerian Christians he put on a categorical travel ban 5 years ago
news-archive.hds.harvard.edu/news/2020/03...
news-archive.hds.harvard.edu/news/2020/03...
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
I'm shaking almost too hard to type. I entered SLC airport and heard screams and cries for help. I could see people gathered around, watching. I sped over to discover this woman face down on the floor, four grown men pushing her down, while she cried "HELP ME" and pled for her child.
October 29, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I'm shaking almost too hard to type. I entered SLC airport and heard screams and cries for help. I could see people gathered around, watching. I sped over to discover this woman face down on the floor, four grown men pushing her down, while she cried "HELP ME" and pled for her child.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
I'm not saying Trump is an authoritarian who would lock up reporters for investigating his party, I'me just saying his party members think that.
cool cool cool cool cool
October 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I'm not saying Trump is an authoritarian who would lock up reporters for investigating his party, I'me just saying his party members think that.
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
Step by step guide to higher ed crisis for Dem candidates giving stump speeches. This isn’t hard:
1) States cut taxes to serve the rich
2) with less revenue, they cut public higher ed budgets
3) with lower budgets, schools raise tuition and throw money at investments, athletics, and development
1) States cut taxes to serve the rich
2) with less revenue, they cut public higher ed budgets
3) with lower budgets, schools raise tuition and throw money at investments, athletics, and development
October 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Step by step guide to higher ed crisis for Dem candidates giving stump speeches. This isn’t hard:
1) States cut taxes to serve the rich
2) with less revenue, they cut public higher ed budgets
3) with lower budgets, schools raise tuition and throw money at investments, athletics, and development
1) States cut taxes to serve the rich
2) with less revenue, they cut public higher ed budgets
3) with lower budgets, schools raise tuition and throw money at investments, athletics, and development
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
The East Wing Desecrators
Given the extraordinary and unprecedented destruction of the entire East Wing, built in 1942 for the Office of the First Lady, it’s important to note who enabled this.
In this thread, I run through the companies and organizations involved and provide contact info.
🧵
Given the extraordinary and unprecedented destruction of the entire East Wing, built in 1942 for the Office of the First Lady, it’s important to note who enabled this.
In this thread, I run through the companies and organizations involved and provide contact info.
🧵
October 22, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The East Wing Desecrators
Given the extraordinary and unprecedented destruction of the entire East Wing, built in 1942 for the Office of the First Lady, it’s important to note who enabled this.
In this thread, I run through the companies and organizations involved and provide contact info.
🧵
Given the extraordinary and unprecedented destruction of the entire East Wing, built in 1942 for the Office of the First Lady, it’s important to note who enabled this.
In this thread, I run through the companies and organizations involved and provide contact info.
🧵
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay. n.pr/4ngKyx3
It's supposed to be payday for many federal workers. Instead, they're getting nothing
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay.
n.pr
October 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay. n.pr/4ngKyx3
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
The title?
"Observations Upon Certain Passages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, Which Appear to Have a Tendency to Subvert Religion, and Establish a False Philosophy."
"Observations Upon Certain Passages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, Which Appear to Have a Tendency to Subvert Religion, and Establish a False Philosophy."
learned recently that the guy who wrote "The Night Before Christmas," clement clarke moore, also wrote a takedown of thomas jefferson's proto-scientific racism in "Notes on the State of Virginia," basically accusing him and others of making it up to justify slavery. which, that's right.
October 21, 2025 at 2:46 AM
The title?
"Observations Upon Certain Passages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, Which Appear to Have a Tendency to Subvert Religion, and Establish a False Philosophy."
"Observations Upon Certain Passages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, Which Appear to Have a Tendency to Subvert Religion, and Establish a False Philosophy."
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
Many of my liberal peers see clearly how mainstream outlets have ruined their already imperiled businesses by capitulating to bad-faith right-wing criticism. They have a harder time seeing that the Democratic Party has fallen victim to the same kind of self-sabotage.
Democrats Fell Prey To The Same Toxic Dynamics That Destroyed Mainstream News
Instead of fighting smears, they appeased the smear merchants.
www.offmessage.net
October 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Many of my liberal peers see clearly how mainstream outlets have ruined their already imperiled businesses by capitulating to bad-faith right-wing criticism. They have a harder time seeing that the Democratic Party has fallen victim to the same kind of self-sabotage.
Emphases I saw here in Williamsburg, VA: much more insistent anti-fascism than last time, even more insistent centrality of constitutional order, rule of law. A lot appeals to history here: "If they want 1939 Germany, we'll give them 1789 France." Some very simple principles as below:
October 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Emphases I saw here in Williamsburg, VA: much more insistent anti-fascism than last time, even more insistent centrality of constitutional order, rule of law. A lot appeals to history here: "If they want 1939 Germany, we'll give them 1789 France." Some very simple principles as below:
Reposted by Robyn Schroeder
Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.
October 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.