@hollowsmith.bsky.social
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Essay: Our traditions are treated like folklore — optional, quaint, improvisational. Substitute salt pork. Make do. Adjust, writes Bridgit Brown. But this isn't just about taste. It's about cultural survival.
Looking for pork jowl in Boston
When I set out to find hog jowl on New Year's Eve, I wasn't just shopping, writes Bridgit Brown. I was looking for proof that parts of us still lived here.
www.wbur.org
January 9, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Essay: Our traditions are treated like folklore — optional, quaint, improvisational. Substitute salt pork. Make do. Adjust, writes Bridgit Brown. But this isn't just about taste. It's about cultural survival.
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No degree of expertise on colonialism & colonial extraction will convince white folks/countries that they're huge beneficiaries of that plunder & of the systems they put in place & 'continue' to benefit from it.
Nevertheless, we must make the point & repeat it in the hope that the point gets across!
Nevertheless, we must make the point & repeat it in the hope that the point gets across!
Julia Hartley-Brewer: Why is colonialism bad?
Me: “When Britain arrived in 1700s, India had 27% of global GDP. After 200 years of theft and millions starved to death, by 1947 India had 3% of global GDP, 90% living below the poverty line, a literacy rate of 17% and life expectancy of 27”
Me: “When Britain arrived in 1700s, India had 27% of global GDP. After 200 years of theft and millions starved to death, by 1947 India had 3% of global GDP, 90% living below the poverty line, a literacy rate of 17% and life expectancy of 27”
January 5, 2026 at 11:06 AM
No degree of expertise on colonialism & colonial extraction will convince white folks/countries that they're huge beneficiaries of that plunder & of the systems they put in place & 'continue' to benefit from it.
Nevertheless, we must make the point & repeat it in the hope that the point gets across!
Nevertheless, we must make the point & repeat it in the hope that the point gets across!
Reposted
Health care spending now represents about 18% of the US economy, meaning that roughly one out of every five dollars spent goes toward health care costs — more than what Americans spend on groceries or housing.
The spending is driving massive medical debt.
The spending is driving massive medical debt.
The Health Care Crisis Is Gobbling Up the Economy
Health care spending now represents about 18% of the US economy, meaning that roughly one out of every five dollars spent goes toward health care costs — more than what Americans spend on groceries or housing. The spending is driving massive medical debt.
jacobin.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Health care spending now represents about 18% of the US economy, meaning that roughly one out of every five dollars spent goes toward health care costs — more than what Americans spend on groceries or housing.
The spending is driving massive medical debt.
The spending is driving massive medical debt.
Reposted
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On @allinwithchris.bsky.social Gov Kathy Hochul responds to Rep Elise Stefanik’s repeated assertions that Zohran Mamdani is a “jihadist”:
“She’s full of shit.”
“She’s full of shit.”
November 22, 2025 at 1:25 AM
On @allinwithchris.bsky.social Gov Kathy Hochul responds to Rep Elise Stefanik’s repeated assertions that Zohran Mamdani is a “jihadist”:
“She’s full of shit.”
“She’s full of shit.”
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Rising global consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) poses a major threat to health, researchers warn
u.afp.com/Snrf
u.afp.com/Snrf
November 19, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Rising global consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) poses a major threat to health, researchers warn
u.afp.com/Snrf
u.afp.com/Snrf
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The industry, let's be honest about it, should reform and stop exploiting undocumented laborers. They should help them getting regular citizenship or, at least, what it takes to make a legal living and benefit of that few public welfare for which they pay taxes.
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM
The industry, let's be honest about it, should reform and stop exploiting undocumented laborers. They should help them getting regular citizenship or, at least, what it takes to make a legal living and benefit of that few public welfare for which they pay taxes.
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Typhoon exposes ancient shipwreck off historic Vietnam trading port.
Severe coastal erosion caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi exposed a centuries-old shipwreck in Vietnam, providing a narrow window to salvage what experts say could be a historically significant find
Severe coastal erosion caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi exposed a centuries-old shipwreck in Vietnam, providing a narrow window to salvage what experts say could be a historically significant find
November 11, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Typhoon exposes ancient shipwreck off historic Vietnam trading port.
Severe coastal erosion caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi exposed a centuries-old shipwreck in Vietnam, providing a narrow window to salvage what experts say could be a historically significant find
Severe coastal erosion caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi exposed a centuries-old shipwreck in Vietnam, providing a narrow window to salvage what experts say could be a historically significant find
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After his pathetic surrender to Republicans on the government shutdown, it's time for Chuck Schumer to go, writes @jeetheer.bsky.social.
After This Shutdown Surrender, Chuck Schumer Needs to Go
The Democratic leader’s cave-in makes it all too clear: It’s time to clean house in the Senate.
www.thenation.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
After his pathetic surrender to Republicans on the government shutdown, it's time for Chuck Schumer to go, writes @jeetheer.bsky.social.
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Ever since the reasonable woman lost to an autocrat wannabe, the Democrats have been going through another painful round of debate: Should the party move to the center or adopt a more progressive stance?
But with the election results last week, the debate is over. Or, at least, it should be.
But with the election results last week, the debate is over. Or, at least, it should be.
Did the off-year elections settle the Democrats’ big debate?
It'd better have.
www.motherjones.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Ever since the reasonable woman lost to an autocrat wannabe, the Democrats have been going through another painful round of debate: Should the party move to the center or adopt a more progressive stance?
But with the election results last week, the debate is over. Or, at least, it should be.
But with the election results last week, the debate is over. Or, at least, it should be.
Reposted
Remembering what @sarahkendzior.bsky.social said about the government being shutdown a long time ago in 2016 at the end of October.
substack.com/app-link/pos...
substack.com/app-link/pos...
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Remembering what @sarahkendzior.bsky.social said about the government being shutdown a long time ago in 2016 at the end of October.
substack.com/app-link/pos...
substack.com/app-link/pos...
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The Republicans will kill you, and the Democrats will let you die.
An explainer on enablers from last year -- and before: sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/ten-articl...
An explainer on enablers from last year -- and before: sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/ten-articl...
Ten Articles Explaining the 2024 Election
Some background reading
sarahkendzior.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 AM
The Republicans will kill you, and the Democrats will let you die.
An explainer on enablers from last year -- and before: sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/ten-articl...
An explainer on enablers from last year -- and before: sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/ten-articl...
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Definition of a gerontocracy: fatigue, lack of energy to fight, innovate and tired of doing their jobs but insistent on keeping their position in order to maintain their exalted privileges = Democratic leadership.
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Definition of a gerontocracy: fatigue, lack of energy to fight, innovate and tired of doing their jobs but insistent on keeping their position in order to maintain their exalted privileges = Democratic leadership.
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Capitalism requires endless growth. It's the business model of cancer and is exactly what is destroying the planet, the media, and the government. Dialing back the population can be done with fewer billionaires sucking up resources.
November 9, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Capitalism requires endless growth. It's the business model of cancer and is exactly what is destroying the planet, the media, and the government. Dialing back the population can be done with fewer billionaires sucking up resources.
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Anecdolts
there should be a word in English for when somebody tells a story that they think valorizes them but they're the obvious villain
"No one likes me, I win."
November 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Anecdolts
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"why is everything like this?" we're in a transitory period because there are no new frontiers for empire to conquer
October 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"why is everything like this?" we're in a transitory period because there are no new frontiers for empire to conquer
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In 1912, a group of Polish and Franco-Belgian women weavers abruptly marched out of one of the mills in response to the mill owner trying to cut wages. This brave move of defiance inspired other workers in the area who were sick of being exploited and soon the strike spread to some 20,000 workers.
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
In 1912, a group of Polish and Franco-Belgian women weavers abruptly marched out of one of the mills in response to the mill owner trying to cut wages. This brave move of defiance inspired other workers in the area who were sick of being exploited and soon the strike spread to some 20,000 workers.
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Mill owners initially counted on these ethnic and linguistic differences to thwart collective action. They segregated workers by nationality, kept skilled native-born workers separate from the unskilled immigrants; and structured wage scales and job assignments along ethnic lines.
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Mill owners initially counted on these ethnic and linguistic differences to thwart collective action. They segregated workers by nationality, kept skilled native-born workers separate from the unskilled immigrants; and structured wage scales and job assignments along ethnic lines.
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There are many such stories in labor history. For instance, the US garment industry has long been primarily composed of newly arrived immigrants. In the early 20th century, the textile mills in Lawrence, MA employed people from over 50 diff backgrounds: Italian, Polish, Jewish, Syrian, Irish, etc.
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
There are many such stories in labor history. For instance, the US garment industry has long been primarily composed of newly arrived immigrants. In the early 20th century, the textile mills in Lawrence, MA employed people from over 50 diff backgrounds: Italian, Polish, Jewish, Syrian, Irish, etc.
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The coal miners lost that 1921 battle, but they also laid the groundwork for future labor gains. The Battle of Blair Mountain became a rallying point for labor rights in Appalachia, catalyzing the United Mine Workers of America. The red bandana also stood for multi-ethnic class solidarity.
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The coal miners lost that 1921 battle, but they also laid the groundwork for future labor gains. The Battle of Blair Mountain became a rallying point for labor rights in Appalachia, catalyzing the United Mine Workers of America. The red bandana also stood for multi-ethnic class solidarity.
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In this moment, coal miners turned their red bandanas into a symbol of solidarity — both to distinguish themselves from the enemy and to show that, across racial lines, coal miners were united along class interests
For this reason, they were known as the "Redneck Army."
For this reason, they were known as the "Redneck Army."
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
In this moment, coal miners turned their red bandanas into a symbol of solidarity — both to distinguish themselves from the enemy and to show that, across racial lines, coal miners were united along class interests
For this reason, they were known as the "Redneck Army."
For this reason, they were known as the "Redneck Army."
Reposted
Known as the Battle of Blair Mountain, this was the largest labor uprising in US history and the largest armed uprising since the Civil War. For a month, 10,000 coal miners confronted some 3,000 company guards, state soldiers, and strikebreakers. Nearly a million rounds were shot.
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Known as the Battle of Blair Mountain, this was the largest labor uprising in US history and the largest armed uprising since the Civil War. For a month, 10,000 coal miners confronted some 3,000 company guards, state soldiers, and strikebreakers. Nearly a million rounds were shot.
Reposted
Tensions ran high in the summer of 1921 when union-sympathizers Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers were gunned down on the courthouse steps by company-hired gunman as part of a company-sponsored terror campaign. In response, 10,000 coal miners marched in Charleston, West Virginia.
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Tensions ran high in the summer of 1921 when union-sympathizers Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers were gunned down on the courthouse steps by company-hired gunman as part of a company-sponsored terror campaign. In response, 10,000 coal miners marched in Charleston, West Virginia.
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At the time, coal operators and their political allies conspired to pit workers against each other along racial lines. They segregated housing and work assignments; used Black and immigrant workers as strikebreakers; and tried to discredit organizers as “socialists” or tools of a "Negro uprising."
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
At the time, coal operators and their political allies conspired to pit workers against each other along racial lines. They segregated housing and work assignments; used Black and immigrant workers as strikebreakers; and tried to discredit organizers as “socialists” or tools of a "Negro uprising."
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For instance, coal miners have long worn bandanas around their neck because it prevents coal dust from dropping into their work shirt or getting into their lungs. They can also be used to wipe sweat from a brow.
But in the early 20th century, the bandana became more than a practical accessory.
But in the early 20th century, the bandana became more than a practical accessory.
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
For instance, coal miners have long worn bandanas around their neck because it prevents coal dust from dropping into their work shirt or getting into their lungs. They can also be used to wipe sweat from a brow.
But in the early 20th century, the bandana became more than a practical accessory.
But in the early 20th century, the bandana became more than a practical accessory.