James R. Jones, PhD
@blackcapitol
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TENURED Professor @rutgers_newark · Director @CPRARutgers · Author of #TheLastPlantation ( @PrincetonUPress ) · My dog is named after Beyonce.
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The Last Plantation is out May 21, 2024 via
@PrincetonUPress
and is available for preorder from all major book sellers.
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Meet my Uncle Greg.
For the last 34 years, he was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.
Yesterday, he was exonerated. 🙏🏾
🧵
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Timeline cleanse, here is my uncle
@Gregishome
trying sizzling fajitas for the first time.
There was so much stolen from him after being wrongfully imprisoned for 34 years, including trying different food.
I love spending time with him and exposing him to new cuisines.
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PSA: If you’re inviting Black speakers for Juneteenth you need to pay them.
Juneteenth is literally about paying folks for their labor.
Come on y’all, it’s 2021.
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In 1990, my uncle, Ronald Gregory Johnson, was wrongfully convicted of murder.
There were no fingerprints, DNA, or forensic evidence to support this conviction.
Instead, there is a mountain of evidence indicating police misconduct.
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We are now reunited.
We are all enjoying the small, and often humorous, moments of teaching my uncle what life is like now.
He is slowly learning how to use an iPhone and how to place his AirPods in his ear.
This morning he asked how to get an “operator” on the line 😂.
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I pray that others who have been wrongfully convicted get justice and that they too can be reunited with their families.
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His conviction hinged on the testimony of two eyewitnesses.
Initially, these witnesses told police that my uncle was not present at the crime and even identified a different perpetrator.
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It’s so surreal to have my uncle home.
I’ve never in my life seen him out of prison.
He missed the deaths of his mother and brother; his son graduating from high school; my 1/2 dozen graduations 🤣; the birth of his granddaughter; and so many other family moments.
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I am so grateful to
@PhillipsBlackPr
, my uncle’s legal team, for working so hard over the last three years to bring this injustice to light and bring my uncle home.
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Over several months, the accounts of these witnesses shifted from entirely exonerating my uncle to entirely incriminating him.
This drastic change was a direct result of police intimidation tactics.
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There is no reason why the fall semester should continue after Thanksgiving. None.
No one wants to be in class. Students and faculty are burnt out.
Make it end.
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This is also an important reminder that elections matter— that local elections matters. Without Philadelphia District Attorney
@DA_LarryKrasner
, who created the Conviction Integrity Unit, and aided in a thorough investigation, my uncle would still be behind bars.
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“At the trial, the police suppressed this critical evidence, and then lied about it on the stand.”
The police did not mention the numerous times they interviewed these witnesses off the record to get them to change their testimony.
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There were also other numerous constitutional violations that occurred, which the judge when vacating my uncle’s conviction said would have reasonable led the jury to issue a different verdict.
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It’s July 1st, which means I am officially an associate professor with tenure
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Also my mom turned my book cover into a pillow. 🤣🤣🤣
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Thinking about the Black and Brown workers in the White House and the Senate, where a Covid outbreak rages on, and whom must clean up after this malfeasance.
Concern rises for White House residence staff as their workplace emerges as a virus hot spot
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When Michelle says “when they go low, we go high” she is basically saying “Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper”
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I am beyond thrilled to announce that my book, The Last Plantation: Racism in the Halls of Congress, is now under contract and will be published by
@PrincetonUPress
!!!
#soctwitter
#academichatter
@POCalsoknow
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Yesterday, I earned tenure!
I’m not a very emotional person but when I heard the news I got teary-eyed.
I thought of how I’ve struggled to find my place in academia and had to continually push myself to be better, especially as a first gen college student and gay black man.
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I assume Pete Souza will do something similar today.
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@nytimes
@jenny_merrigan
@PhillipsBlackPr
I’ll add he was scared to order the shrimp with his steak because he thought it was too expensive.
We all enthusiastically screamed “you can order whatever you want”
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@nytimes
@jenny_merrigan
@PhillipsBlackPr
My uncle in his own words.
Mr. Johnson, who will turn 62 this summer, said he thinks he’s “going to have two birthdays now.”
“The day I got out, and my regular birthday. I think I’m going to celebrate them two days the rest of my life.”
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I spent $250 on therapy so that my therapist could tell me “James just go to Costco, you’ve mentioned wanting to go 7 times during our session.”
😂😂😂
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I did it! I finished my book!!!
The Last Plantation: Racism and resistance in the halls of Congress will be out May 2024 via
@PrincetonUPress
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@nytimes
@jenny_merrigan
@PhillipsBlackPr
Mr. Johnson said he had spent the first 24 hours of his newfound freedom taking a bath, shopping for clothes and getting a driver’s license. He enjoyed a big meal with his family, with rib-eye steak, shrimp and steak fries.
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It’s my pub day!!!
In The Last Plantation,
@blackcapitol
provides a revealing look at the covert and institutionalized racism lurking in the congressional workplace.
This important book is now available. Learn more & order your copy:
#Congress
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I don’t typically air my grievances, but let me say this.
I’m getting tired of explaining why studying racism in one of the most powerful political institutions, Congress, matters for sociology.
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Apparently 8 years ago,
@DoctaValle
and I dressed like smurfs and walked across the stage for our phd graduation
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Meet Lauren Underwood, she is my dear friend.
She is 32 and the youngest Black woman running for Congress.
She is a nurse who decided to run after her member voted against the ACA.
Her race is a now listed as a toss-up.
We should all support Lauren.
TOSS. UP. That's how far we've come in 14 months,
#TeamUnderwood
—all thanks to you. In the final 23 days of this race, let's finish the job and flip
#IL14
. Let's go:
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I am thrilled to announce that next year I will be a postdoctoral fellow at
@PrincetonAAS
!
#AcademicTwitter
#soctwitter
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I have reached the point where I am no longer upset that people at conferences mistake me for a graduate student rather than an assistant professor because my undergrads continually make me feel like I’m ancient- I take this as a sign my moisturizing regime is working 😂
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#TheLastPlantation
has a cover!!!!
It’s real 😭
Coming to you in May 2024 by
@PrincetonUPress
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Pray for me y’all.
So I’ve started requiring students to visit me during office hours at least once, owing to the work of
@Tony_jack
showing that students from less privileged backgrounds are less likely to ask for help.
But I have 90 students this semester… Help😅
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Surreal. Joyful. Exuberant?
I wrote a lot of words in this book but it’s hard to describe what it feels like to finally hold it in my hands 🥰.
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I’m so excited to share this news.
I’m honored to serve as the inaugural director for the NEW Center for Politics and Race in America at
@Rutgers_Newark
!
Great coverage of what I’ve been working on this last year and some exciting things to come ⬇️
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I had a very stressful day but really happy to come home to this package. 🥰🥰
#TheLastPlantation
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Today, Joe Biden told a primarily Black audience, if you don’t vote for him
#YouAintBlack
, ironically, it is his own campaign staff that “ain’t Black”.
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@eveewing
Students in my "Black-ish and Black Middle-Class" course are writing proposals for new episodes of
@blackishabc
. For the assignment students choose an issue important in the study of the Black middle-class and pitch an episode based upon their research.
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When you are focused and wont let anything come between you and your work.....
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If you are watching the Session’s hearing, please note
@maziehirono
is the only POC on the Judiciary committee.
#SenateDiversity
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What a lovely email to read during the holidays. 🥰🥰🥰
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Celebrating my PhD anniversary !!!
Seven years later… this dissertation is soon to be a book via
@PrincetonUPress
in May 2024
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Super happy to announce I won the pre-tenure award for public sociology and was elected to the executive board of
@essnet
!!! 🎊🎉 🎊🎉 🎊🎉
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My advice on revising on syllabi.
It takes time, years even, to figure out what fits and what does not. Last semester, I revised only 2-3 weeks of my syllabi, but called that progress. Do not stress out because the perfect syllabus does not exist, it's always a work in progress
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Y’all the reviews for my book manuscript are in!!!
I received three POSITIVE and glowing reviews.
I’m over the moon🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾
Thank you to those 3 anonymous scholars who read my work (and in record time, 2 months) !
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Update: The Princeton University Press Editorial Board gave final approval to my book manuscript, “The Last Plantation”!
Its coming to you (this time next year) 🕺🏾 🕺🏾 🕺🏾
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Biden isn't going to pick a Republican as VP, but the fact that he thinks this is good politics is actually worse. Republicans would never say or do such a thing. They understand it is more important to excite your base.
The degree to which this web site takes everything Biden says literally, as opposed to politically, is odd.
He's not going to choose a Republican VP. He thinks it's good politics to signal that he'll work with Republicans if they'll meet him halfway. He's probably right.
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My mom has started filming promotional material. Don’t let her down, get your copy of “The Last Plantation” now!
(And yes she did get her hair done for the occasion)
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Confession: I’ve been having a really rough time finishing this book. I keep telling myself I have to make it more sophisticated, more quantitative, more complex.
A dear friend reminded me that centering Blacks folks in my analysis is in itself a radical act, so just write.
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Tenure comes with a slight pay bump and the first thing I am doing today is contributing to the Columbia Bail fund to support Columbia students.
Join me: venmo bcabolitioncollective
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Clinton's favorite part of Beyoncé's performance was her back up dancers in pantsuits
.
@HillaryClinton
speaks about the Beyoncé & Jay Z
#GetOutTheVote
concert at her rally today.
#ImWithHer
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The Sen Judiciary Committee is tasked with our protecting civil rights, however, its lack of diversity severely weakens its legitimacy
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There is another way that does not require an army to arrest students
Brown University has reached an agreement with student organizers to disband pro-Palestine encampments and to bring their divestment demands to a vote.
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In my Black Middle Class course, we delved into E Franklin Frazier's Black Bourgeoisie & connected it to Real Housewives of Atlanta, particularly
@IamSheree
's audition tape.
I’ve taught this book almost every September, or Spring Summer since 2018 & this was the best discussion
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It's my birthday!!!
I'm 36 today.
If you are wondering what to get me, the ultimate gift is to pre-order my forthcoming book, "The Last Plantation”.
Available on Amazon
Bookshop and (with all other book retailers)
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I am really bad a self promotion these days but I got a grant from
@ASAnews
to continue studying racial representation and inequality among political professionals!
Congrats to all the other grant winners announced in the latest issue of “Footnotes”.
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I don't say this lightly (or often), but I’m so damn proud of myself.
It's taken me a year to figure out my book talk. You'd think it'd be easy after finishing the book, but it's not.
Excited to share what I’ve worked so hard on when y'all invite me places 😉😉
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I propose conferences start offering time for coffee and writing.
My mind is over flowing with som many ideas and connections being the space of so many brilliant scholars.
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This is my research in a nutshell.
Biden’s debate performance was a disaster & increased speculation about his capacity to govern.
However, what is left unsaid is how it is staff, who are unelected and in most cases almost exclusively white, who are making critical decisions.
Joe Biden will not step down because his inner circle will never give up the tiny crumb of power they have right now. Expect to see them dig their heels in today. They have names and they are doing this to us out of pure selfishness.
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As lawmakers investigate ties between Capitol Police and White supremacists, they must also investigate long-standing allegations of racism within its ranks.
My latest op-ed about racism and Congress for
@thedailybeast
@JamaalBowmanNY
@CoriBush
@AOC
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2 months into his presidency Trump is finally meeting with Black lawmakers today. This comes after meeting Kanye, Don King, and Steve Harvey
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Boko Haram is deadlier than ISIS, but nobody cares because they kill Africans | theGrio
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Not me learning 7 years into teaching that there are syllabus generators online that will format your teaching dates. 😅
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Dr.
@Tiffanyheard
is in the news today for standing up for her students, and speaking truth to power in the midst of being arrested. I have had the pleasure of meeting her and she is a real one.
UC Irvine, one of the most sterile backdrops for a college campus you will ever witness. And a woman with a soul
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Blurbs for my first book are in!
I am deeply humbled and appreciative to the kind words that
@alondra
@KeeangaYamahtta
@BrownPhDGirl
and
@DerekKilmer
offered about
#TheLastPlantation
.
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I really love my department 🥰🥰🥰.
@RUNafam
surprised me on my last day of class with cake and sparkling cider to celebrate me receiving tenure.
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Black Facebook Workers Write Open Letter to Company: We Are Treated Every Day 'As If We Do Not Belong Here'
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So I sent my mom an advance copy of my book and she refuses to open it until she gets her hair done next week. 🤣🤣🤦🏾♂️
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It’s really mind boggling how badly universities and Democrats are responding to protests against genocide on college campuses.
But then I remember that a key component to upholding White supremacy, empire, and colonialism is an adherence to an epistemology of ignorance.
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Great day picketing.
I heard stories of a part-time faculty member sleeping in their car & another who teaches 30 % of their department’s courses.
I heard of students, who’ve for weeks been showering in cold water in their dorms.
We are striking because they deserve better.
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2) The congressional intern pipeline extends all the way to members of Congress.
@AOC
@AyannaPressley
@LaurenUnderwood
were all congressional interns. If you want diversity at the top you need to consider making Congress more accessible at entry level positions.
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This is major!
2 weeks,
@payourinterns
, released my report showing House interns are overwhelmingly White and segregated by race.
Members of Congress read the report and now are adopting the leading recommendation, the collection of intern demographic data to track this issue
WATCH: Congressional Intern Success! We’re excited to hear the House will begin collecting demographic data on interns! Additionally, the Diversity and Inclusion Office and CAO will study if offering intern compensation among committees will diversify their intern class. 1/
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Next week, the House votes to remove Confederate statues from the Capitol.
Each state gets to have two statues in the Capitol and currently, one of Georgia’s honors Alexander Hamilton Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy.
Georgia should replace it with one of
#JohnLewis
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Last night was magical! I couldn’t have asked for a better book launch.
Immense gratitude to my dear friend, Congresswoman
@LaurenUnderwood
, for an engaging & honest conversation.
And thank you, DC, for showing up & selling out all of
@busboysandpoets
’s
#TheLastPlantation
!
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Had I known ASA would feature the book party of all book parties and have sociologists dancing to Break My Soul, I would have drained my travel budget to come. 😭 😭 😭 😭
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Today is my 5 year PhD anniversary!!!
The lesson I took away from that day is that 1) I can do anything and 2) I deserve to be in any room I enter.
Glad to have a supportive group of mentors by my side then and now. Cc
@alondra
@shamuskhan
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One of the benefits of having an academic conference in my hometown is that I can go from hanging with sociologists to watching paternity court with my grandma.
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Surprised by the inaction of Capitol Police?
I’m not.
Here’s why: Black officers have long alleged that Capitol Police is rampant with discrimination.
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That feeling when the sociology conferences are over and you can go back to being introverted.
#soctwitter
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Many corporations are stepping up to say how they value Black lives and are donating to many grassroot organizations. However, they should go one step further and direct their personal lobbyists to advocate for anti-racist public policies.
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In college I was a congressional intern. Seeing how white Capitol Hill was (except for the service workers) inspired “The Last Plantation”. I discuss with Jim Saska (
@saksappeal
) how unequal staff representation subverts democracy and how to fix it.
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I’ve often get lost and confused during book writing.
So now I’ve started writing myself notes to remind me what that book is really about.
#AcademicTwitter
#soctwitter
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Chaffee: we can't trust Hillary decision making
Hillary: Obama does.
http://t.co/P1WOpPXFyM
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I’ve been waiting all semester to teach Omi and Winant’s racial formation, mostly so I can use the class to talk about Beyonce.
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Patricia Hill Collins message to future scholars “don’t cede intersectionailty and don’t cede blackness”
#ABS2018
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Shoutout to all the black people in Newark who saw me running to make commencent in my regalia and shouted congratulations.
I’m not graduating but this is my first commencement as a faculty member, which I think is to be congratulated I think.
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I’m so excited to have my first public conversation about “The “Last Plantation”with my dear friend, US Congresswoman
@LaurenUnderwood
.
We’ll discuss the book and how we became friends as interns.
Next Thursday (6/13) at 5:30
@busboysandpoets
in DC
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This is true, but Congress will still be 80 percent white and 80 percent male. We need to raise the bar for what consider diverse
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