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Brian Halley

@brianbhalley.bsky.social

3.7K followers 470 following 240 posts

Executive Editor at University of Massachusetts Press, based at UMass Boston. Views here don’t reflect them. Feminist, progressive, 🏳️‍🌈, into books, dogs, ocean, print culture, lit studies, environmental studies/climate justice, and more.

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · Nov 16

I’m fortunate to work with brilliant authors & colleagues at @umasspress.bsky.social and it’s worth checking out website. I’ll be posting on range incl my areas (print culture, env studies, lgbtq+ and gender studies, African American studies, Native studies, New England, etc) & probs w/ #publishing.

Homepage - University of Massachusetts Press

Welcome to the online home of University of Massachusetts Press. We publish scholarship, literature, and books for general readers that reflect the quality and diversity of intellectual life on our ca...

www.umasspress.com

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 15h

If you can stand it, follow link for video of incident. It’s dramatic and powerful, and I don’t know how Christians can accept it and side with this militarization.

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 1d

Gonna be thinking about this lede for a minute.

(RNS) — Last month, the Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide. Adorned in all black and wearing a clerical collar, the pastor looked up at a group of masked, heavily armed ICE agents on the roof and began to pray.

“I invited them to repentance,” Black, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), said in an interview. “I basically offered an altar call. I invited them to come and receive that salvation, and be part of the kingdom that is coming.”

But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls, or chemical agents that cause eye irritation and respiratory distress, video footage shows. One struck Black in the head, exploding into a puff of white pepper smoke and forcing him to his knees. Fellow demonstrators rushed to his aid, and as the pastor rubbed his face in pain, the agents continued to fire.

“We could hear them laughing,” Black said.

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 17h

Like many others, I did some searching for what “plenary authority” means this morning, and a UK paper provided the answer rather than US media.

Plenary authority, the dictator phrase that caused Stephen Miller to stop talking

Miller suggests Trump wields absolute power over decisions to send in National Guard, before suddenly stopping speaking in awkward interview moment

www.independent.co.uk

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Reposted by Brian Halley

NEH Union - AFGE L3403 @nehafge3403.bsky.social · 1d

The cuts at the National Endowment for the Humanities go far deeper than any of these agencies - almost 70% of 179 people were terminated, despite no change to the agency's budget.

There were no savings here - only idealogical destruction. #NEH

Conrad Hackett @conradhackett.bsky.social · 2d

How much smaller the federal workforce is now vs. a year ago
Ed Dept 42%
OPM 33%
HUD 31%
Treasury 29%
Defense (civilian jobs) 22%
Small Biz Admin 21%
Energy 20%
Interior 15%
HHS 14%
SSA 11%
EPA 10%
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

How Much Smaller Is the Federal Work Force? Shutdown Plans Offer a Clue.

The number of federal employees has been trimmed by thousands since President Trump took office, according to contingency plans drawn up by federal agencies.

www.nytimes.com

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 2d

🕵🏻‍♂️ (it is a good idea and I appreciate when scholars do this, it’s generous!)

Chris Cooper @chriscooperwcu.bsky.social · 2d

Surprised there's not a definitive book on the history of government shutdowns in the United States.*

This seems unlikely to be the last shutdown, so if somebody wants to be momentarily relevant at some future date, start typing now.

*If there is one and I've missed it, please LMK

Reposted by Brian Halley

Rebecca Colesworthy @rcolesworthy.bsky.social · 2d

FYI happening this Thursday—free and open to all. Just click the link to register. Featuring @dwcongdon.com, @dawnd.bsky.social, and Alyssa Napier talking all things diss to book—what’s the diff b/w them, how to find a press/approach an editor, tips for proposal writing. Join us & spread the word!

Association of University Presses @aupresses.bsky.social · 2d

All are invited to the first in Publishing with University Presses Webinar Series, "Turning Your Dissertation into a Book," Oct 9 at 1pm ET. Organized by our Faculty Outreach Committee with the Rutgers Ctr for Minority Serving Institutions.

Register here: https://buff.ly/UiOAr5M

Turning You Dissertation into a Book webinar promotional tile

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 3d

Great job to all the fantastic university presses who won #lammies - @ugapress.bsky.social, @uwiscpress.bsky.social, @dukepress.bsky.social, and U of Nebraska Press. @lambdaliterary.org

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 7d

I may be late to this particular title, but I’m so glad I found it anyways, and I urge anyone who hasn’t to read it. Immediately. @aaknopf.bsky.social

Cover of the book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 8d

We at @umasspress.bsky.social are doing a fundraising campaign for our Regional Books Fund. See what authors are saying, and click on "donate" at end of page if you can spare anything. Feel free to share. Thanks! #NewEngland #books #publishing

What Authors Are Saying About the Regional Books Fund - University of Massachusetts Press

We recently asked some authors of our regional books about their experience with the Regional Books Fund and the impact it had on their books as well as

www.umasspress.com

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Reposted by Brian Halley

Boston Public Health Commission @publichealth.boston.gov · 14d

We’re offering free vaccine clinics in Boston. Vaccines are safe, effective, and protect against serious illness. Getting vaccinated keeps you healthy and helps protect your family, friends, and community.

Learn more at boston.gov/vaccine-clinics.

A group of young people sit on a bench behind a fence at a baseball diamond. Text reads, “FREE Vaccine Clinics in Boston. Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines for free. No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome. Find dates, times, and locations at boston.gov/vaccine-clinics.” The logos for the City of Boston, Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Public Schools, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Legacy Care Group, and Shaw’s Star Market are at the bottom.

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 9d

I grew up in this “dark red part of Texas,” and I really appreciate this good work happening there now. As an angry teen, I would have loved to see these folks on the street corner protesting.

Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · 9d

In a dark red part of Texas, Indivisible Kingwood is proving that grassroots activism still works. Group leader Cindi Hendrickson talks about their recent protest outside of the prison that holds Ghislaine Maxwell and how local action can drive national change.

Epstein's Ghislaine Maxwell visited by Indivisible Kingwood protest at her Bryan, TX prison

Amidst growing authoritarianism, local heroes in Texas demonstrate that resistance begins with ordinary citizens taking action. They recently visited Epstein's Ghislaine Maxwell country club prison. *Article* https://egberto.substack.com/p/epsteins-ghislaine-maxwell-visited?utm_source=youtube --- *

youtu.be

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 15d

They keep saying the quiet part (they say to each other in private) out loud.

PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 @patriottakes.bsky.social · 15d

Fox News host Jesse Watters suggested bombing and gassing the United Nations over escalator and teleprompter issues

Reposted by Brian Halley

Gravel Influencer @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 15d

Great overview of how these cuts will make it harder for local governments to implement traffic calming and promote car-free transportation.

Drivers have always been a protected class in the U.S. but this administration is taking it to the extreme.

More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 15d

The Trump administration has canceled grants for street safety, pedestrian trails, and bike lanes in communities around the country. One official wrote that a project was canceled because it created "a road diet that is hostile to motor vehicles."

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump Cancels Trail, Bike-Lane Grants Deemed ‘Hostile’ to Cars

The Trump administration canceled grants for street safety measures, pedestrian trails and bike lanes in communities around the country this month, each time offering a simple rationale for yanking ba...

www.bloomberg.com

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 15d

Heading to @asalh-bhm.bsky.social conference this week, representing @umasspress.bsky.social. Stop by the Press table and say hello, and come to our #publishing panel on Thursday at noon!

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 16d

Coming off a celebration of #books at the #Provincetown Book Fest, where @umasspress.bsky.social author Cynthia Blakeley, author of a beautiful memoir on growing up in #Wellfleet on Cape, did a great job on a panel and sold fully out of her book! Get yours for a great read now. #CapeCod

The Innermost House

Finalist, 2025 Georgia Author of the Year Award in Memoir A stunning account of year-round life on the windswept shores of Cape Cod, threaded with meditation...

www.umasspress.com

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 19d

I grew up in a house that supported public media and now seems a really good time to remember and emulate that. @pbs.org and @npr.org, here I come. (For a year in college, I worked driving the lil red truck (no radio, no a/c) for UT Austin’s pbs station which said on the side, “KLRU JOIN US.”)

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 21d

Say this!

Gravel Influencer @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 21d

Listen, some of the behavior described is annoying, but this moral panic over kids on bikes is so silly compared to the behavior of drivers and the death and injury toll they leave behind. But the harms of car culture are rarely covered because we've just accepted all of that as part of our society.

Man says that large group of kids on bikes in Boston were aggressive toward his wife

A Massachusetts man is fed up with the hundreds of kids riding bikes on Boston roads after one was "aggressive" toward him and his wife over the weekend.

www.cbsnews.com

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 23d

“I want to write down everything I know about being afraid, but I’d probably never have enough time to write anything else. Afraid is a country where they issue us passports at birth and hope we never seek citizenship in any other country.“ -Audre Lorde, in “A Burst of Light” (2/18/84)

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 23d

“What happened to me is part of a broader purge of Black voices from academia, business, government, and media — a historical pattern as dangerous as it is shameful — and tragic.” -Karen Attiah

Elizabeth Spiers @espiers.bsky.social · 23d

Firing a Black woman for quoting Kirk’s horrific statements about Black women is insane. It seems the Washington Post would rather perform politeness (and demand that the people Kirk harmed do it too) that tell the truth: karenattiah.substack.com/p/the-washin...

The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced.

I spoke out against hatred and violence in America — and it cost me my job.

karenattiah.substack.com

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 23d

Because I’m proud to have written this up, and will forever be proud to be her son.

Obituary for Ann Marie Halley at Southcare Cremation & Funeral Society

Ann Marie Halley passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4th, with her four adult children present. She was in the compassionate care of hospice and the extraordinary staff of the Evergreen memo...

southcare-16518.meaningfulfunerals.net

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 24d

I am rather belatedly discovering poet and writer Fanny Howe, and really looking forward to the journey. Owe thanks to Devin Kelly for referencing her in his weekly poetry email today on Simic and other poets. #poetry

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · 27d

Huge congrats to @dorothyproject.bsky.social for getting a title on the @nationalbook.bsky.social NBA non-fiction longlist - The Autobiography of H. Lan Thao Lam by Lana Lin. #publishing

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Reposted by Brian Halley

Lisa Diedrich @lisadiedrich.bsky.social · Aug 23

Reading the selected writings of LGBTQ+ activist Urvashi Vaid, Dream of a Common Movement, & I'm struck by how prescient her term "virtual equality" ("conditional equality based on the appearance of acceptance") is proving to be in the aggressively regressive authoritarianism of the present moment.

The Dream of a Common Movement: Selected Writings of Urvashi Vaid
Edited by Jyotsna Vaid & Amy Hoffman
Foreword by Tony Kushner
Blurb from Rachel Maddow: "America's most talented & articulate exponent of LGBTQ+ rights & liberation."
Picture of a smiling Vaid holding up a sign (photo is by Donna Aceto & title is Urvashi at Dyke March, 2011):
The DYKE AGENDA
with the top item MARRIAGE EQUALITY checked
Followed by a long list of other items not checked:
JOBS for ALL
END VIOLENCE
RACIAL JUSTICE
IMMIGRATION RIGHTS
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
END CORPORATE WELFARE
PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP (nationally + globally)
LET'S KEEP GOING!

Since we seem to be regressing, this list is helpful for the present moment!

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Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · Aug 27

Come to @asalh-bhm.bsky.social in Atlanta next month! I’ll be at the @umasspress.bsky.social table and will also moderate a #publishing round table on Thursday at noon with Stephanie Williams of Wayne State Uni Press and Gianna Mosser of Vanderbilt UP. See you there!

Association for the Study African American Life & History @asalh-bhm.bsky.social · Jun 30

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2025 ASALH Annual Meeting & Conference!

Celebrate African Americans & Labor with scholars, educators & leaders.
✨ Early Bird pricing ends July 22!
📍 In-person & virtual options available
📚 Author events, tours & more.

Register now at asalh.org/conference/r...!

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · Aug 27

Have I got a new @umasspress.bsky.social book for y’all! #gardening #globalwarminb

The Garden at the End of Time

John Hanson Mitchell has long written about his garden outside of Boston, and about the plants and animals with whom he shares this land. In 2022, the Unite...

www.umasspress.com

Brian Halley @brianbhalley.bsky.social · Aug 27

“A sign I saw in a few places in coastal Maine seems relevant here: “More Gardens, Less Fascism.” … a call to retreat into the garden, to find a refuge in roses and vegetable plots, to be healed and renewed somewhere outside the political fight.” -Ross Douthat in @nytimes.com on #bookstores

Opinion | Small Bookstores and the Future of Liberalism