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Gail Drakes

@gaildrakes.bsky.social

1.8K followers 500 following 3.6K posts

Bad at bios, but I’m not a bot. 💁🏽‍♀️ 🏳️‍🌈 Trained as a historian, surviving late-stage capitalism by giving away Other People’s Money.

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Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

That’s great! Shout out to @rude1.blacksky.team and the team!

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

There are videos! And people (who might be kinda swamped now) who have been helping since the Blacksky team is even busier.

Good luck!

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

AND to be clear, the jealousy comment was b/c I saw non Black folks making comments that showed they felt that this iteration of the decentralized social media platform was the only one available to them.

I wanted to make clear that everyone has options beyond waffles & going to “Threads”…

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

It’s late Joey, so I can’t go there with you rn… & you have the right to feel your feelings. (And please make no assumptions about mine…).

But I just wanna be sure that you understand that folks “on Blacksky” are still *on here*, yes?

Folks still benefit from all the mixing and cross pollination…

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

Which one did you go to? Congrats!

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

Zero worries- happy to help! MUCH respect to Rudy and the Blacksky team for sharing their talents with all of us!

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

WHEW!! That’s going to be a story to tell when Dolly is back up and around! Blessed be!!

Dolly Parton really seems like a QUALITY person. She’s one of the few white people I’ve never met that I’ll fight you over. And if you fuck around and badmouth Mr. Rogers you gonna find out, frfr. 💁🏽‍♀️

Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 6h

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious … She’s been a little under the weather and I simply asked for prayers bc I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up.”

Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 6h

DON’T SCARE US LIKE THIS, FREIDA www.wsmv.com/2025/10/08/i...

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 5h

Lordy, is this the part where people teach the Black lady **trained as a historian of the 20th century Black experience** about racial segregation using “Back to the Future” memes?

This alternative timeline we are in is truly bizarre…🫤

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

I’m in NO WAY QUALIFIED to answer that question (lol), but there are tons of knowledgeable people who are helping field questions right now, esp. as the Blacksky team are in overdrive to meet this moment (which is coming at them fast).

The migration doc I posted which might answer some questions.

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

*NANA not MAMA!

That was a typo. Obviously, Ghislaine’s mother was not Amelia’s father lover! It was her GRANDMOTHER. It’s impossible for it to be her mum and saying son would make me seem like a total weirdo conspiracy theorist!!

Never that! Apologies!

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

Groovy - happy it was helpful!

Much respect and appreciation to Rudy and the Blacksky team for creating these resources!

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

No worries! Thanks for asking…

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

That’s an accusation that seems to be unaware of the nuances of life within racialized communities and one that ignores a great deal of important history, but na gabh dragh, friend.

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

If you look around for threads on the recent banning of “Link” you might find better explanation than I could offer.

If I come across any I might send.

Blacksky is separate but related. Bluesky is designed a decentralized platform so folks can create diff variations but we can all still interact.

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

I’m too sleepy to explain at the moment! But in terms of “leadership” it was b/c the CEO responded poorly (like to a “are you okay?” level) to push back from users about decisions that were made to permanently ban a popular Black user when previous calls to ban regulate hateful users were ignored.

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

Now you are operating on a level most don’t understand!

Ghislaine Maxwell’s mama was Amelia’s father’s lover and pushed him to cultivate a love of aviation in his daughter. She refused to fly for the Epstein family, the Ghislaine’s granny pushed Amelia’s dad to a mental breakdown. UNDERSTAND?!? 😏🫠

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

Finch knows what time it is!! lol And we have fabulous mutuals so hi!👋🏾

Non tech people who did it said it was easier than they thought plus there are lots of folks offering to volunteer to help.

Also, if you read the migration guide there are SUPER simple ways to check it out w/o migration!

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

I thought you were referring to Jay the CEO and I was sincerely like, “if y’all are friends, you really should go check in on her, because she doesn’t seem to be doing well!” 😔☺️🫤

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 6h

Are you a non-Black person pissed at Bluesky leadership and feeling a little jealous of all the good vibes coming from Blacksky?

There are Blacksky adjacent options for you! Here’s info from the Blacksky migration guide!

docs.blacksky.community/migrating-to...

Screengrab from Blacksky migration guide:

blacksky algorithms

A Warning: Anyone else using a blacksky.app handle will receive a warning at first and then a suspension.

Alternative PDSs for Everyone
Blacksky Algorithms also operates two other
PDSs that are open to anyone:
• myatproto.social - Open to all
• cryptoanarchy.network - Open to all

These servers run on the same infrastructure as blacksky.app and are maintained by the same team, but are available for anyone to use regardless of background.

Reposted by Gail Drakes

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 7h

The Blacksky migration guide makes clear that there are separate Blacksky adjacent spaces where non Black folks can support/benefit the Blacksky algorithm. Those are open to all!

Screengrab from Blacksky migration document:

“blacksky algorithms

blacksky.app is exclusively for members of the Blacksky community.

This PDS has specific membership requirements and is reserved for Black folks building communal infrastructure.
Warning: Anyone else using a
blacksky.app handle will receive a warning at first and then a suspension.

Alternative PDSs for Everyone:

Blacksky Algorithms also operates two other PDSs that are open to anyone:

• myatproto.social - Open to all
• cryptoanarchy.network - Open to all”

Reposted by Gail Drakes

Dr ICE Scream Maker: Slasher of Fash 🔪 @pwr2dppl.bsky.social · 8h

An orange Black Panther Party campaign button that says Free Link.

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 7h

Yesssss, THAT’S what I’m talking about!! Now you’re posting like you mean it! Love to see it!

Release the Earhart files! All that sex trafficking stuff was a distraction! 🌊🌊✈️✈️🚨🚨

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 7h

Also, from the migration guide…

Screengrab from Blacksky migration document:

“blacksky algorithms

blacksky.app is exclusively for members of the Blacksky community.

This PDS has specific membership requirements and is reserved for Black folks building communal infrastructure.
Warning: Anyone else using a
blacksky.app handle will receive a warning at first and then a suspension.

Alternative PDSs for Everyone:

Blacksky Algorithms also operates two other PDSs that are open to anyone:

• myatproto.social - Open to all
• cryptoanarchy.network - Open to all”

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 7h

The Blacksky migration guide makes clear that there are separate Blacksky adjacent spaces where non Black folks can support/benefit the Blacksky algorithm. Those are open to all!

Screengrab from Blacksky migration document:

“blacksky algorithms

blacksky.app is exclusively for members of the Blacksky community.

This PDS has specific membership requirements and is reserved for Black folks building communal infrastructure.
Warning: Anyone else using a
blacksky.app handle will receive a warning at first and then a suspension.

Alternative PDSs for Everyone:

Blacksky Algorithms also operates two other PDSs that are open to anyone:

• myatproto.social - Open to all
• cryptoanarchy.network - Open to all”

Gail Drakes @gaildrakes.bsky.social · 7h

But you got good vibes from the tone and goals, amirite?!That counts for a lot too! lol