Orlando Hawkins
@blacknihilist21.bsky.social
Philosophy Nerd (Ph.D Candidate in Philosophy— Phil of Race, Black Existentialism, Black Pessimism/Nihilism, Black Marxism, Black Feminism). “If the slave cannot be taken from Africa, slavery can be taken to Africa”- W.E.B. Du Bois
created November 17, 2024
226 followers 740 following 688 posts
view profile on Bluesky Posts
Hakeem Jefferson (@hakeemjefferson.bsky.social) reposted
Trump’s is an authoritarian project, to be sure. But it is also very much a project motivated by a politics of white grievance, white resentment, and white identity. And this govt will use its power to assert white dominance anyway it can—from brutalizing immigrants to restoring Lee’s portrait.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
The fact that little kids have to practice shooting drills in this country is really shameful (to say the least).
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
Good luck trying to get me to submit to any of that 😂
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I would have respected her more had she invoked critical theory 😂
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
If this was true, you’d provide specific examples with actual names, rather than saying “a significant number”.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I know the University of Oregon is also firing/laying off people too…
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
The problem Rufo et al. have is that the world they want to create is an inhospitable and unsustainable one, so the “restoration of [the old] republic” that he envisions is a project that will eventually fail, imo.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
A country built on death, destruction, warfare, and genocide (while doing nothing to ameliorate it) was eventually going to experience a death spiral (again if you count the civil war). The thing to remember is that what Trump is doing is unsustainable in the long-term.
Seth Cotlar (@sethcotlar.bsky.social) reposted
FWIW, "yours for the restoration of the Republic" was a common salutation American fascists gave to each other in the 1950s and 1960s. This is from a 1952 letter by Ohio white supremacist terrorist Peter Xavier. The rest of the rhetoric here might be familiar too.
Clint Smith (@clintsmithiii.bsky.social) reposted
I debated writing this. It can feel tempting, upon encountering yet another instance of this administration’s racism, to let it be. How many ways can you say the same thing over and over again? And yet we have to write it down, if for nothing else, so those who come after us know we were against it.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, from my perspective, it came off as “look what you’re forcing us to do”. Also, this decision was unilateral. The admin decided to make these cuts/firings and then decided to hold a town hall to discuss it but not in a way that would change their mind.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I’m an alum, and part of what’s going on, as I understand it, is the administration essentially told faculty, grad students, and student workers that their demands for higher pay/salaries is one reason why they’re making these cuts I also wouldn’t doubt that P. Knight would support these cuts
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you, though I don’t have tik tok so I’m unable to watch it.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Translation please? 😅
Jacobin (@jacobinmag.bsky.social) reposted
The Haitian Revolution began on this day in 1791. C. L. R. James’s landmark text, “The Black Jacobins,” is a majestic account of the Haitian Revolution and is still the authoritative history of a heroic struggle for freedom and dignity.
Boston Review (@bostonreview.bsky.social) reposted
“To assert that our societies in the Caribbean are connected to world history through the history of black civilizations, as well as of Asians, is to pose the question, at the same time, of how this connection ever got lost: who told the story the wrong way round? and why?” —Stuart Hall
Dr. Damien P. Williams Wants A Better Sociotechnical Paradigm (@wolvendamien.bsky.social) reposted
Chattel slavery was so bad that when we tell you how bad it in fact was most of y'all shut down and tell us we're making it up and pass laws against us ever telling you how bad it was again because your brains literally cannot handle how bad it in fact was.
Dr. Johnathan Flowers, Blade Wielding Bisexual (Lordean arc) (@shengokai.bsky.social) reposted
Absolutely this. In Illinois, everything south of Champaign would absolutely go MAGA.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
*view Du Bois had
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
— perception of it). I remember Du Bois saying that one of the grave errors of the Planter class was that they were stuck 3 centuries in the past and didn’t realize that the global economy was moving away from slavery. But they had become accustomed to living a lavish lifestyle.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
The economics and the social go hand-in-hand. That’s the view Du Bois most had. I don’t necessarily disagree with you per se. I’m only maintaining the view that the Planter class wouldn’t have fought so hard to maintain & expand slavery if the economic benefits weren’t there (or at least the—
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
The South wouldn’t have fought a civil war and wanted to expand slavery (and the British would not have contemplated supporting the Confederacy) if the economic benefits weren’t there. I wouldn’t say slavery in itself made the U.S. a superpower, but it most certainly contributed.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Her original thread was a response to the Free Press article denying existing famine in Gaza. It’s still perplexing how she goes from that to “Nazi’s are more welcoming than the DSA” when her evidence is 3 random people online posting nonsense.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh it gets worse: bsky.app/profile/shro...
Elad Nehorai (@eladn.bsky.social) reposted
Everything fascists attack is what makes us strong. It's why they go for them. And it's why, rather than retreat, we can't give up an inch. Journalism. Humanities. Universities. Education. Art. Culture. Museums. All targets. All essential to defeating fascism.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Also, a lot of track/field competitions happen at UO. Idk how much money the school makes from that, but given that it’s televised and well attended, I can only imagine the financial benefits.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
From my time there, football and women’s basketball were the most popular sports. Like extremely popular.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
It’s a bit hypocritical to say “sacrifices need to be made” when your own salaries remain untouched.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
From my pov, it feels like a punishment: “because you demanded an equitable and livable wage/salary, we have to get rid of these jobs and programs”.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I’m a UO alum and I’d like to add that the administration blamed (in part) graduate students, faculty, and student workers for making these cuts/firings. Briefly put, all 3 groups (rightfully) demanded higher pay/salaries, and by granting these demands, the administration needed to make said cuts.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
lol 😂 that’s a horrible name.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
This is certainly one reason to never trust AI 😅🙄
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, but for some people, they vote and still don’t see improvement in their lives. I can understand why they’d feel helpless and resigned when it comes to democracy.
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 (@chanda.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
We are seeing in realtime that many US-born US citizens have been raised to believe that the US should be a white Christian Nationalist monarchy They are actively not committed to democracy And not enough people are talking about the significance of this as a feature of today’s political situation
Elliott Blackwell (@elliottblackwell.bsky.social) reposted
The dream
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
Naw!
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Nope.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
“What do you mean by political psychology?” Basically what would motivate people to vote for Trump, knowing the type President he was the first time. I feel like the same people who are dissatisfied w/Trump now (based on polling), are the same people who voted him into office in 2024.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Respectfully, nothing you’ve said explains the political psychology of voters, which was my question. I know about Trump and neoliberal corporate Dems. If Dems want to win in the future, they need to abandon neoliberalism and offer voters a better future.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I see your point. Trump has been public eye for a long time and in our political and cultural consciousness for a decade. You’d think some people would have memory of that. And yet, he got treated as a blank slate by some in 2024.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I’m genuinely confused by the political psychology in the U.S. Voters clearly knew what type of person and President Trump was, so their dissatisfaction with him (based on polling) is very perplexing. His first term (and campaign promises) was evidence for the type of President he’d be this time.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
Based on his manifesto alone, I guarantee he’d argue that there were too many minorities on the grand jury and thus, the charges should be dropped. abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireS...
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Sorry that this is belated, but congratulations 🎈🍾🎉🎊
Jenny Cohn (@jennycohn.bsky.social) reposted
NatCon’s Statement of Principles—signed by Peter Thiel, Yoram Hazony, Russ Vought, etc.—says the “national govt must intervene energetically” to “restore order” in “states or subdivisions” where “law & justice have been manifestly corrupted” or where “lawlessness, immorality, & dissolution reign” 1/
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
Challenge: post your last photo taken in DC to show what a hellhole it is.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I agree with everything you’re saying. I would only add that some of this isn’t new and Trump benefits from 400+ years of racism on this continent (and many more if we consider the Iberian prelude to all of this).
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
— I’m thinking of attempts to prevent the enslaved from reading, suppressing David Walker’s appeal, and the Red Scare. I would argue the consolidation of authorial power has been in the works since to at least post-Civil rights, and have come to fruition under Trump.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
There are things that are new with Trump (like the demagoguery) but Trump is really just using old authoritarian tactics that had already existed in the U.S. Like, his immigration policy can be found in Bush 2, the Bracero Program, and Operation Wetback. Censorship is an American pastime—
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I understand your point, but I have to respectfully disagree. Slavery, Jim Crow, Japanese interment were authoritarian systems. My partner is from Puerto Rico and she would characterize both Spanish and U.S. colonial rule as also authoritarian as well.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
The only part I disagree with this thread is that I think the consolidation of power occurred long ago and Black activists and intellectuals have consistently warned a lot this. Trump is just the tip of a long iceberg.
Ida B Wells' Winchester Rifle (@dytsras.bsky.social) reposted
Imagine being born in slavery and living up until 5 months before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Anna Julia Cooper is one of my favorite people in history. She was born on August 10, 1858, and lived to the age of 105. I can't sum her up in a single post, but she was born 167yrs ago today
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I recently learned that Du Bois may have stolen some of her ideas (or didn’t cite her properly). “A Voice from the South” was a great read.
KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 (@kojamf.bsky.social) reposted
South Park
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
They’re simply returning to the 1950’s where institutions of higher learning was a safe-space for white men.
Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones.bsky.social) reposted
Re-upping this from November. Some of us have consistently tried to warn about what was to come. Many of us were treated as hysterical.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Because university administrators actually agree with Trump and he’s giving them the permission structure to enact changes they already wanted. It’s why the were quick to abolish DEI on campus’s. It also shows that they care about money more than they care about their own values and principles.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
If the U.S. said they were going to [X] country or community to liberate the LGBTQ+ population, while existing transphobia, homophobia, etc exist at all levels of government and society, what moral high-ground does the U.S. government actually have in saying “hey, don’t do that”?
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
No, but what colonizing nation would actually care about saving LGBTQ+ people? Said nation(s) would most likely discriminate against their own LGBTQ+ people. Saving condemned souls is a classical colonial trope, so I’d be skeptical of any developed nation using such an excuse to justify intrusion.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
This is an insult to her constituents and yet, they’ll most likely rally behind her and vote her back into office. I think the anger and frustration is real, but I don’t see politicians like her facing the consequences
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Dennis Rodman has entered the chat…
Jess Calarco (@jessicacalarco.com) reposted
They want to go back to a time when college was only for wealthy White men. Because that will make the rest of the population easier to manipulate with misinformation and easier to force into unpaid care roles (women) or underpaid manual labor jobs that remain as more jobs get AI-ed (men).
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Wasn’t he just praising Trump’s deal with Columbia a few days ago?
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Also, the NBA came up with a study that said high minutes/games don’t lead to injuries. I’m very skeptical of that study, especially where money is involved.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Respectfully, some have. Even TV companies like Comcast complained because they had/have TV deals with the NBA.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
A shorter season, in their view, will lead to better quality basketball and less injuries in the playoffs. I agree with the players.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Complaints about the NBA all-star game goes back years, which is why they keep changing the format. Additionally, people complained that NBA players didn’t value the regular season, which is why they have an In-Season tournament. In fairness to players, they have asked for the season to be shorter
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
That’s not true. I watch sports debate shows all the time and that topic has certainly came up, especially on ESPN First Take w/Stephen A Smith. This was also the case when NBA players were sitting out games. There’s most certainly sexism and double standard in sports, but this is one of them.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
lol I’m not talking about companies. I’m talking about the players and their effort in playing in all-star games (across all sports). Corporations are always going to prioritize profits over players and fans, which is why I support WNBA players getting paid more.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, which can seen as undermining their cause. I see your point now.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, I’d disagree w/anyone saying the all-star game performance is justification for less pay. But I agree with Candice’s statement about effort. But I can see why they wouldn’t want to play hard if they’re not getting paid well.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Nope, which is why I started off saying that you make a fair point.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
when it comes to salaries. The game doesn’t expand w/o fans. I do agree that WNBA players deserve better pay and they should be able to get it. But I also think fans deserve to see elite competition, and that’s across all sports.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I’m not an MLB fan, so I’m going to bracket that. But the NBA All-Star game ha been (and continues to be) heavily criticized and scrutinized for lacking competitiveness. It’s why they keep changing the All-Star game format. As for your first question, the fan matters a lot 1/2
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I think this is fair take, but what about respect for the fans who came to watch the best of the best play?
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Has this dude ever considered that he just might not be good at what he does?
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
@eladn.bsky.social is one of my favorite people to follow on this site. Always on point.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Looking forward to reading it.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
They literally argued that the civil rights movement wasn’t about anti-racism, but rather color blindness because of that one paragraph from MLK’s “I Have Dream Speech” 😂
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Respectfully, you’re wasting time. The moment they said Rufo wanted colorblind meritocracy (rather than segregation, which is Rufo’s real goal), I should have stopped engaging. This person is just repeating debunked right-wing talking points. There’s better use of your time.
Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
This is a running theme of the book, but if you want a short version on public spaces alone, I did that for an article in the Journal of Urban History:
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I wasn’t picking a fight. I was merely sharing my thoughts (which was prompted by the question you asked). I understand the tendency on social media is debate, but that’s not what I was doing.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
It’s certainly not impossible, but it’s also not inevitable that Trump and MAGA will succeed in the long-term either. The total destruction of all existing institutions is an untenable situation that’s not built to last.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Administrators might be complying, but there’s an entire body of students, faculty and workers who exist and aren’t just passive mindless people and indeed pushing back. And while things aren’t looking great, that doesn’t mean MAGA will achieve their goals and ends.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
“He never convinced of anti-racism being the answer”. What did you think the civil rights movement was about? LMAO 😂 Ok, I’m out. Take care.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
lol ok this was fun, but I’m leaving the conversation. P.S. I’m not pro-DEI, nor do I believe Black conservatives are white supremacist. Bye ✌️
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
“We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: for whites only” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
of course he’d reject color blindness. Any reasonable person would.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Systemic racism is a descriptive and empirical term that isn’t exclusive to critical race theory nor derived from it. Color blindness either assumes a blindness to racial difference (which is an act of bad faith) or an attempt to conceal existing racism (which is also an act of bad faith). So 1/2
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I’d respect you more if you could admit it because it’s pretty transparent lol
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Because, we all know you’re primarily referring to discrimination against white people when you talk about merit, color blindness and Harvard. It’s also why you’re critical of Kendi and CRT and favorable to Chris Rufo, despite the fact that Rufo’s entire project is white grievance and victimhood.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I somewhat feel bad for you because 1) I said nothing about Asian people but you still think this is a gotcha & 2) you have completely bought into the conservative framing of AA (which only demonstrates that you lack a historical understanding of AA).
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Kendi is a historian and has stated that he’s not a critical race theorist, so idk what you’re referring ti when you say he see’s everything through CRT. He’s against color-blindness on the the grounds that color-blindness can be used to conceal existing racism. Rufo doesn’t care about any of that
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Conservatives have against AA from the start and finally found find a sympathetic SC to strike it down. A SCOTUS ruling isn’t indicative of the existence of discrimination against white people, especially with bad actors like Ed Blum.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I was a graduate student in Oregon and let me tell you, 80-90% of the classes I taught was filled with white students, so the notion that Universities all of a sudden need “colorblind admissions” because of a lack of white students is ridic
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
Why is Kendi seen as someone who has a victim ideology but not Chris Rufo?
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
“Stop them from teaching oppressors/oppressed ideology”. Is this what you really think is being taught in classrooms? Come on now 😂
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social)
Yup! And it’s blatantly transparent and obvious.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
And worse yet, people voted for this.
Orlando Hawkins (@blacknihilist21.bsky.social) reply parent
I think he was already like that, but religion gives him the appearance of being virtuous.
Dr. Hilary Agro, PhD 🍄 (@hilaryagro.com) reposted
A lot of people need to hear this