Rani Bagai
@ranibagai.bsky.social
Just another half Indian woman married to a Jewish lawyer | Granddaughter of Indian immigrants | family archivist | retired engineer | I enjoy collecting historians, fellow resisters and pottery
Pinned
Rani Bagai
@ranibagai.bsky.social
· Feb 19
United States of America vs. Vaishno Das Bagai
The Thind decision dealt a devastating blow to all South Asians in the United States, especially those who had become naturalized citizens. It disrupted dreams. It put already vulnerable people at fur...
www.saada.org
102 yrs ago US vs Thind ruled Indians weren't considered white, leading to citizenship nullification of all *naturalized* South Asian Americans including my own grandfather Vaishno Das Bagai. Betrayed & hopeless, he ended his life.
This is why the move to revoke birthright citizenship horrifies me.
This is why the move to revoke birthright citizenship horrifies me.
"It's simple economics. Today it's oil, right? In ten or fifteen years, food. Plutonium. Maybe even sooner. Now, what do you think the people are gonna want us to do then? Ask them? ... They won't want us to ask 'em. They'll just want us to get it for 'em!"
Cliff Robertson - 3 Days of the Condor
Cliff Robertson - 3 Days of the Condor
January 4, 2026 at 3:53 PM
"It's simple economics. Today it's oil, right? In ten or fifteen years, food. Plutonium. Maybe even sooner. Now, what do you think the people are gonna want us to do then? Ask them? ... They won't want us to ask 'em. They'll just want us to get it for 'em!"
Cliff Robertson - 3 Days of the Condor
Cliff Robertson - 3 Days of the Condor
Reposted by Rani Bagai
the only person who should "run venezuela" is matilda after she take me money
January 3, 2026 at 5:29 PM
the only person who should "run venezuela" is matilda after she take me money
Reposted by Rani Bagai
We’re in a moment now where it would be worth people taking three hours to watch Gandhi, particularly the scene of the salt march. There is value to making the brutality of your opponent so plain as day that no one can argue with it. The clarity of that brought down an empire
October 7, 2025 at 3:54 AM
We’re in a moment now where it would be worth people taking three hours to watch Gandhi, particularly the scene of the salt march. There is value to making the brutality of your opponent so plain as day that no one can argue with it. The clarity of that brought down an empire
This is what every Blue State governor should be doing —targeting their attackers in the same voice.
Be as offensive as all hell, make the same kind of bs threats, and when they get outraged just smirk & say they should take you seriously but not literally.
Be as offensive as all hell, make the same kind of bs threats, and when they get outraged just smirk & say they should take you seriously but not literally.
August 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This is what every Blue State governor should be doing —targeting their attackers in the same voice.
Be as offensive as all hell, make the same kind of bs threats, and when they get outraged just smirk & say they should take you seriously but not literally.
Be as offensive as all hell, make the same kind of bs threats, and when they get outraged just smirk & say they should take you seriously but not literally.
How does a society, let alone an individual, ever break this cycle of behavioral reinforcement?
This is what it is, along with a financial incentive to play up anecdotes for the algorithm. For a lot of Americans, their feeds both locally and nationally have turned into Best Of Liveleak, an outgrowth of a political project Musk and Congressional Republicans have wanted for years.
I keep seeing the media say crime is down but people feel like it is up without mentioning the role of phone notifications and social media like Nextdoor, Ring Alerts, and Facebook Groups that not only make people more aware of any crime nearby they wouldn’t have known about in the past… (1/3)
August 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
How does a society, let alone an individual, ever break this cycle of behavioral reinforcement?
What magic is this.
This video from Fairmount Bagels in Montreal from their Instagram is the most impressive thing I've ever seen
August 15, 2025 at 11:43 PM
What magic is this.
Sigh. I love the idea that he was “turned away” --but if you read all the way through it seems to indicate he never even went— nor was he ever aware of the staff’s hostile reaction.
Maybe *he would have been turned away had he gone* wouldn't be as satisfying for readers but I'd prefer the clarity.
Maybe *he would have been turned away had he gone* wouldn't be as satisfying for readers but I'd prefer the clarity.
August 15, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Sigh. I love the idea that he was “turned away” --but if you read all the way through it seems to indicate he never even went— nor was he ever aware of the staff’s hostile reaction.
Maybe *he would have been turned away had he gone* wouldn't be as satisfying for readers but I'd prefer the clarity.
Maybe *he would have been turned away had he gone* wouldn't be as satisfying for readers but I'd prefer the clarity.
Unbelievable that he was permitted on US soil, let alone riding in the same car. It feels like the same horror that @hcrichardson.bsky.social expressed about the confederate flag being inside the US Capital on J6.
Russian media reports there was a car waiting for President Putin on the tarmac in Alaska.
It’s unclear why the Russian leader instead got inside “The Beast” with President Trump, Keir Simmons reports. nbcnews.to/3HDRAx7
It’s unclear why the Russian leader instead got inside “The Beast” with President Trump, Keir Simmons reports. nbcnews.to/3HDRAx7
August 15, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Unbelievable that he was permitted on US soil, let alone riding in the same car. It feels like the same horror that @hcrichardson.bsky.social expressed about the confederate flag being inside the US Capital on J6.
One of those events one can't believe could ever happen.
Like J6 waving the Confederate flag in our Capital.
Like J6 waving the Confederate flag in our Capital.
JUST IN: Vladimir Putin has landed in the United States
August 15, 2025 at 6:11 PM
One of those events one can't believe could ever happen.
Like J6 waving the Confederate flag in our Capital.
Like J6 waving the Confederate flag in our Capital.
Seems like our institutional memory hit its expiration date. All it took was a couple generations and now it's like we've learned nothing. So it has to be re-learned again...painfully.
Threads is full of posts about the Sydney Sweeney ads like, "Oh my GOD people are overreacting SO MUCH 🙄 like is it WRONG to want to THANK your parents for giving you superior genes?? all of a sudden we can't say she has GOOD GENES 🤣"
August 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Seems like our institutional memory hit its expiration date. All it took was a couple generations and now it's like we've learned nothing. So it has to be re-learned again...painfully.
Yep, we broke it.
Or as Peter Fonda said as Captain America, we blew it.
Or as Peter Fonda said as Captain America, we blew it.
Harris tells Colbert, in first interview out of office, that the U.S. system is 'broken'
Harris tells Colbert, in first interview out of office, that the U.S. system is 'broken'
Former Vice President Kamala Harris told Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show" Thursday that she decided not to run for California governor because she believes the American system is "broken."
www.latimes.com
August 1, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Yep, we broke it.
Or as Peter Fonda said as Captain America, we blew it.
Or as Peter Fonda said as Captain America, we blew it.
Reposted by Rani Bagai
With Tom Lehrer's passing, I suppose this is a moment to share the story of the prank he played on the National Security Agency, and how it went undiscovered for nearly 60 years.
July 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
With Tom Lehrer's passing, I suppose this is a moment to share the story of the prank he played on the National Security Agency, and how it went undiscovered for nearly 60 years.
Reposted by Rani Bagai
"The gutting of The Washington Post is not a separate event from the algorithmic manipulation of X. The defunding of PBS is not disconnected from the weaponization of the…FCC. These are interconnected fronts in a single, undeclared war on the very concept of an informed public."
The Oligarchs' Coup Against the Free Press Is Happening Now
The American information space is not merely changing; it is undergoing a hostile takeover. It is a deliberate, coordinated campaign by a new class of oligarchs out of Silicon Valley that includes…
www.thedissident.news
July 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
"The gutting of The Washington Post is not a separate event from the algorithmic manipulation of X. The defunding of PBS is not disconnected from the weaponization of the…FCC. These are interconnected fronts in a single, undeclared war on the very concept of an informed public."
Can't wait till I'm there next.
Their original Berkeley walking tour is not to be missed.
Their original Berkeley walking tour is not to be missed.
Opening weekend of our new San Francisco South Asian Radical History Walking Tour was better than we could have imagined.
We ran four lovely, emotional sold-out tours over two days, operating on love and adrenaline. People came from as close as the neighborhood, and as far away as Amsterdam.
We ran four lovely, emotional sold-out tours over two days, operating on love and adrenaline. People came from as close as the neighborhood, and as far away as Amsterdam.
July 15, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Can't wait till I'm there next.
Their original Berkeley walking tour is not to be missed.
Their original Berkeley walking tour is not to be missed.
Yes! Something like what Robert Pirsig said in his parable, that a true churchman of the Church of Reason must ignore threats and continue right on pursuing truth. When someone orders an illegal action, one must act as if you never heard these threats. Make them arrest you, fire you, etc.
Hey, I know the people who need to hear this are probably not on this site, but here’s a free tip:
Stop resigning. Make the fascists fire you. Make them own their actions, then fight it with whatever legal remedies you can find.
We can’t win if people don’t fight.
Stop resigning. Make the fascists fire you. Make them own their actions, then fight it with whatever legal remedies you can find.
We can’t win if people don’t fight.
June 27, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Yes! Something like what Robert Pirsig said in his parable, that a true churchman of the Church of Reason must ignore threats and continue right on pursuing truth. When someone orders an illegal action, one must act as if you never heard these threats. Make them arrest you, fire you, etc.
I do too! That and a "Hot Commie Summer" tee.
I really want a “ZOHRAN THE DESTROYER” tee shirt now.
I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Please,
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social?
I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Please,
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social?
June 27, 2025 at 1:43 AM
I do too! That and a "Hot Commie Summer" tee.
This is a masterpiece video by Zohran. I had no idea halal carts existed in NYC till a couple days ago.
I also have to mention how many people are intrigued by "$8 halal cart", which is the point, because "Halalflation" gave Zohran Mamdani an accessible way to explain NYC food vendor permits, intermediaries, and years-long wait lists in 90 seconds: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyL4...
NYC is Suffering from Halalflation
YouTube video by Zohran Mamdani for NYC
www.youtube.com
June 26, 2025 at 11:58 PM
This is a masterpiece video by Zohran. I had no idea halal carts existed in NYC till a couple days ago.
Best news this year.
In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done.
My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.
My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.
June 25, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Best news this year.
Reposted by Rani Bagai
She only meant for them to “stand back and stand by!”
June 25, 2025 at 2:01 AM
She only meant for them to “stand back and stand by!”
Reposted by Rani Bagai
The thing about the Khalil case is that it's very very good that he's free now but you can't have it take three months between "the government kidnaps you off the street for no basis reason whatsoever" and "a judge makes them let you go." You just can't.
June 21, 2025 at 12:11 AM
The thing about the Khalil case is that it's very very good that he's free now but you can't have it take three months between "the government kidnaps you off the street for no basis reason whatsoever" and "a judge makes them let you go." You just can't.
Oh and presumably our senators and congress people ran for office because they believe in governing, they believe in democratic principles, and they believe in upholding the Constitution. But like law firms, they're ignoring, fudging, and compromising on that commitment too.
President Obama spoke yesterday about the need for law firms to stand up to Trump.
"Presumably, you went into the law because you believe in the law. If you are getting pressure from government saying ignore, fudge, or compromise that commitment. You have to push back."
"Presumably, you went into the law because you believe in the law. If you are getting pressure from government saying ignore, fudge, or compromise that commitment. You have to push back."
June 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Oh and presumably our senators and congress people ran for office because they believe in governing, they believe in democratic principles, and they believe in upholding the Constitution. But like law firms, they're ignoring, fudging, and compromising on that commitment too.
NY Gov Kathy Hochul: “You want to know what I really think? It’s bullshit. How dare they take an elected official who’s been going down there for weeks to escort people who are afraid to walk into a courthouse in the USA. What the hell is happening to this country?”
Yeah you’ve got hochul uploading an official nygov social video calling lander’s arrest, and I’m quoting here, “bullshit.” They think the feds have overreached and are vulnerable.
June 17, 2025 at 10:39 PM
NY Gov Kathy Hochul: “You want to know what I really think? It’s bullshit. How dare they take an elected official who’s been going down there for weeks to escort people who are afraid to walk into a courthouse in the USA. What the hell is happening to this country?”
Approximately one in every ten Indian immigrants in the United States experienced a violent expulsion in the early twentieth century.
publication day.
the history of racial violence against immigrants in the early 20th c. remains as important to history as it does to our present
academic.oup.com/jah/article/...
With many thanks to those who supported me on this journey.
the history of racial violence against immigrants in the early 20th c. remains as important to history as it does to our present
academic.oup.com/jah/article/...
With many thanks to those who supported me on this journey.
June 17, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Approximately one in every ten Indian immigrants in the United States experienced a violent expulsion in the early twentieth century.
"It’s essential to recognize the absurdity inherent in viewing a woman dining alone as a brave act performed in the face of embarrassment. It is neither brave nor sad for a woman to dine alone."
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/26/o...
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/26/o...
Opinion | Why Are People Weird About Women Dining Alone?
www.nytimes.com
May 26, 2025 at 8:18 PM
"It’s essential to recognize the absurdity inherent in viewing a woman dining alone as a brave act performed in the face of embarrassment. It is neither brave nor sad for a woman to dine alone."
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/26/o...
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/26/o...
Excellent article, with an important contribution by Dr Dhillon.
“...it was the specific fear of Chinese Americans’ enfranchisement and of the bestowal of other legal rights upon them that ultimately precipitated the drive to curtail birthright citizenship more than a century ago.”
“...it was the specific fear of Chinese Americans’ enfranchisement and of the bestowal of other legal rights upon them that ultimately precipitated the drive to curtail birthright citizenship more than a century ago.”
Why meticulous research in the archives is ALWAYS necessary.
"Last year, Hardeep Dhillon, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, shared some research with me that is instructive in this current moment...
Dhillon...argues that the Wise letter casts the Wong Kim Ark case in a new light..."
"Last year, Hardeep Dhillon, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, shared some research with me that is instructive in this current moment...
Dhillon...argues that the Wise letter casts the Wong Kim Ark case in a new light..."
May 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Excellent article, with an important contribution by Dr Dhillon.
“...it was the specific fear of Chinese Americans’ enfranchisement and of the bestowal of other legal rights upon them that ultimately precipitated the drive to curtail birthright citizenship more than a century ago.”
“...it was the specific fear of Chinese Americans’ enfranchisement and of the bestowal of other legal rights upon them that ultimately precipitated the drive to curtail birthright citizenship more than a century ago.”