Shamira A. Meghani
@drmeghani.bsky.social
Assistant Prof in Dept of English Studies, Durham University
~ postcolonial, anti-colonial & diaspora, queer, trans & feminist, lit & film ~
Vegan (since 2001!); as low-carbon as I can; often angry, ever hopeful. non-binary (they/them)
~ postcolonial, anti-colonial & diaspora, queer, trans & feminist, lit & film ~
Vegan (since 2001!); as low-carbon as I can; often angry, ever hopeful. non-binary (they/them)
Have just listened to Bregman’s excellent first lecture (questions still going) and am deeply disappointed (but sadly not surprised) that the BBC has censored this year’s Reith Lecturer! Short🧵below.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Have just listened to Bregman’s excellent first lecture (questions still going) and am deeply disappointed (but sadly not surprised) that the BBC has censored this year’s Reith Lecturer! Short🧵below.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
I share this with respect for the many excellent journalists at the BBC.
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I share this with respect for the many excellent journalists at the BBC.
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
This has happened against my wishes, and I’m genuinely dismayed by it.
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
This has happened against my wishes, and I’m genuinely dismayed by it.
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
This sentence was taken out of a lecture they commissioned, reviewed through the full editorial process, and recorded four weeks ago in front of 500 people in the BBC Radio Theatre.
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
This sentence was taken out of a lecture they commissioned, reviewed through the full editorial process, and recorded four weeks ago in front of 500 people in the BBC Radio Theatre.
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
Hopefully you’ve all read this excellent piece by Peter Coviello, about why you should never talk to the New York Times, or in general any media with a preconceived agenda. But also see his “Is there God after Prince?”, written just after Prince’s passing… lareviewofbooks.org/article/is-t...
November 8, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Hopefully you’ve all read this excellent piece by Peter Coviello, about why you should never talk to the New York Times, or in general any media with a preconceived agenda. But also see his “Is there God after Prince?”, written just after Prince’s passing… lareviewofbooks.org/article/is-t...
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
My old pal Pete Coviello — one of the best writers and thinkers I've ever known — wrote the piece of the moment
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:17 AM
My old pal Pete Coviello — one of the best writers and thinkers I've ever known — wrote the piece of the moment
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
"A publicly accessible tool that invents false criminal allegations about a sitting US senator represents a catastrophic failure of oversight and ethical responsibility.”
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Experts find flaws in hundreds of tests that check AI safety and effectiveness
Scientists say almost all have weaknesses in at least one area that can ‘undermine validity of resulting claims’
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"A publicly accessible tool that invents false criminal allegations about a sitting US senator represents a catastrophic failure of oversight and ethical responsibility.”
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
@zackpolanski gives a masterclass in how to deal with the bad faith questioning and constant attempts at interrupting of Trevor Phillips. Phillips' gotchas all fall flat as Zack walks all over him.
Zack Polanski, "I'm not alone in my disillusionment with Labour"
"The two child benefit cap, the disability cuts, the genocide in Gaza"
"Keir Starmer is not a man I would be willing to work with"
"The two child benefit cap, the disability cuts, the genocide in Gaza"
"Keir Starmer is not a man I would be willing to work with"
November 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM
@zackpolanski gives a masterclass in how to deal with the bad faith questioning and constant attempts at interrupting of Trevor Phillips. Phillips' gotchas all fall flat as Zack walks all over him.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
Just read a passage in a book that describes elderly people as time machines: able to recall the past whilst being reminders to younger people of the future that awaits them. I think that’s a pretty magical understanding of age.
November 9, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Just read a passage in a book that describes elderly people as time machines: able to recall the past whilst being reminders to younger people of the future that awaits them. I think that’s a pretty magical understanding of age.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
I knew @northumbriauni.bsky.social had taken away staff desks in NBS this summer, making them essentially hotdesk. Now the employer has informed staff that they are gutting their pensions, too.
If there was EVER a time to join @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social, NOW is the time!
If there was EVER a time to join @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social, NOW is the time!
November 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I knew @northumbriauni.bsky.social had taken away staff desks in NBS this summer, making them essentially hotdesk. Now the employer has informed staff that they are gutting their pensions, too.
If there was EVER a time to join @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social, NOW is the time!
If there was EVER a time to join @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social, NOW is the time!
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
Around 10,000 university workers being made redundant this year. Labour policies are definitely cutting through in higher education …
November 8, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Around 10,000 university workers being made redundant this year. Labour policies are definitely cutting through in higher education …
I absolutely love this vision of change and change-making as well as Polanski’s rethinking of the transatlantic ‘special relationship’.
"Bold politics works. Not managerialism. Not triangulation. But the courage to tell the truth, and show how you will act on that truth": @zackpolanski.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Zack Polanski: ‘Hope has just won in New York – it can win here too’ | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I absolutely love this vision of change and change-making as well as Polanski’s rethinking of the transatlantic ‘special relationship’.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
This is complete hogwash
November 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
This is complete hogwash
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
A Whitehall source said: “Unfortunately this looks like the EHRC deflecting – they still haven’t sent ministers the information requested in order to assess the draft code. The EHRC should be cracking on with their job, not giving lectures on timing while government still awaits their material” 🔥
EHRC drops interim trans advice and urges ministers to act fast to approve its guidance
Equalities watchdog removes interim response to supreme court ruling on legal definition of a woman from its website
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:57 PM
A Whitehall source said: “Unfortunately this looks like the EHRC deflecting – they still haven’t sent ministers the information requested in order to assess the draft code. The EHRC should be cracking on with their job, not giving lectures on timing while government still awaits their material” 🔥
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
Many of the 90 bodies of Palestinians returned to Gaza by Israeli authorities under the ceasefire deal showed signs of torture and execution, including blindfolds, cuffed hands and bullet wounds in the head, according to doctors’ accounts.
Palestinian bodies returned by Israel show signs of torture and execution, say doctors
Almost all had been blindfolded and had gunshot wounds between the eyes, says medic at Nasser hospital in Gaza
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Many of the 90 bodies of Palestinians returned to Gaza by Israeli authorities under the ceasefire deal showed signs of torture and execution, including blindfolds, cuffed hands and bullet wounds in the head, according to doctors’ accounts.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
Keep it going. Get your family and friends to join
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Boycotting Israel has gone mainstream: ‘We’ve never seen such traction before’
After decades of being dismissed as fringe, the boycott call has been taken up by leading figures across arts, sports and politics
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Keep it going. Get your family and friends to join
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
Men like Piers Morgan have found women in trans women who it is socially acceptable to abuse.
Every time they do this stuff they are telling you how they'd treat cis women if they could get away with it.
Every time they do this stuff they are telling you how they'd treat cis women if they could get away with it.
October 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Men like Piers Morgan have found women in trans women who it is socially acceptable to abuse.
Every time they do this stuff they are telling you how they'd treat cis women if they could get away with it.
Every time they do this stuff they are telling you how they'd treat cis women if they could get away with it.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
The grand tradition of lying to strangers asking you survey questions
Job occupations, from an 1881 census. Every one of these sounds like something a sorely provoked Captain Haddock would should at someone in times of heavy stress.
October 12, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The grand tradition of lying to strangers asking you survey questions
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
One hundred percent this. Transmisogyny is misogyny.
Men like Piers Morgan have found women in trans women who it is socially acceptable to abuse.
Every time they do this stuff they are telling you how they'd treat cis women if they could get away with it.
Every time they do this stuff they are telling you how they'd treat cis women if they could get away with it.
October 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
One hundred percent this. Transmisogyny is misogyny.
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
“I’m old enough to remember when mainstream British politicians, who should know better, stirred up racial hatred as a path to power. You’re old enough to remember too because it was last Tuesday. And it was Robert Jenrick”
Cathartic anger at flag-flying racism.
www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
Cathartic anger at flag-flying racism.
www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
Stewart Lee: The thugs have taken my flag. So I’ve taken theirs
What do you do with a lot of cheap banners hanging from motorway bridges once you’ve torn them down?
www.thenerve.news
October 12, 2025 at 8:44 AM
“I’m old enough to remember when mainstream British politicians, who should know better, stirred up racial hatred as a path to power. You’re old enough to remember too because it was last Tuesday. And it was Robert Jenrick”
Cathartic anger at flag-flying racism.
www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
Cathartic anger at flag-flying racism.
www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
Reposted by Shamira A. Meghani
"A message of neighbourly solidarity is thriving in Birmingham against a backdrop of racist intimidation"
#antifa #StGeorge #racism #flags
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
#antifa #StGeorge #racism #flags
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Brummies united against racism’: poster campaign takes on the far right
A message of neighbourly solidarity is thriving in Birmingham against a backdrop of racist intimidation
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
"A message of neighbourly solidarity is thriving in Birmingham against a backdrop of racist intimidation"
#antifa #StGeorge #racism #flags
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
#antifa #StGeorge #racism #flags
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...