Caleb Smith

@smithcal

Historian, Professor at Hamilton College (all views and opinions expressed are mine alone), PhD, writing about the neoliberal shift of Black politics in Chicago from 1929 to 1994, race, class, and 20th century U.S. political history. he\him\his

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Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jun 27

Sheriff Bart takes himself hostage forcing the townspeople to lower their guns.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· May 25

I get the revolt against it, but I'm a sucker for the kind of nostalgic sensory candy Annapurna is pumping out. Also, the release window and song selection made it hard to ignore. After completing it, I fully enjoyed my time with Mixtape.

Teenagers driving down a moonlit beach under a parade of fireworks while More Than This by Roxy Music plays in the background.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· May 11

If you know the history of Lowndes County then you are aware of Alabama's decades long repression of Black voters there. The origins of the Black Panther Party run deep through it. Lowndes has always reflected fights over whether African Americans are equal citizens. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/u...

Member of the Lowndes County Freedom Organization holding rifle in front of an election billboard.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jan 24

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jan 18

Hobbs convinces Calvin to enjoy appreciate the moment and not to hold on to it by releasing a butterfly

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jan 12

Best games ever? Certainly not. But if I'm being honest with myself, it's these games. Ocarina just barely got squeezed out.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (PS2)

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Nov 11

Dems: "It's over Anakin, I have the public support and the high ground. But if you pinky swear promise to give up this dark side thing, allow the senate to vote on making Palpatine emperor for life and creating a galactic empire, I'll reopen the government."

Anakin Skywalker looking up at Obi Wan Kenobi, on a planet of lava, who is claiming the high ground.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Oct 29

If you see this, quote with a vampire that isn't Dracula

Three vampires covered in blood going in for the kill

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Oct 17

Noob Nobb from Rick and Morty says "God-Damn!"

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jul 28

Now that I’ve seen Fantastic Four, I’m even more annoyed Marvel retconed him out of being a mutant. All the stories and ties they could have told wasted.

Poster from Marvel’s “Fall of the Mutants,” parodying the “Do you you know where your children” are campaign featuring a slur against Franklin Richards.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jul 26

LOL

Thomas Chatterton Williams has bad taste.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jun 25

Liz Lemon expresses what a week it's been to her boss Jack, who reminds her it's Wednesday.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Jun 5

Me after learning about "Harriet Tubman trutherism" this morning:

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Feb 21

I also recommend Garrett Felber's Those Who Know Don't Say The Nation of Islam, the Black Freedom Movement, and the Carceral State.

Cover of the book, Those Who Know Don't Say
The Nation of Islam, the Black Freedom Movement, and the Carceral State, by Garrett Felber.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Feb 21

Also recommended is Les and Tamara Payne's The Dead Are Rising: The Life of Malcolm X

Cover of Les Payne and Tamara Payne's The Dead Are Rising book.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Feb 16

Echoing others, there are many great historical examples of anti-fascist fighters in Europe we use for inspiration. But when it comes to fighting fascism here in the States, we have a centuries long playbook too.

Gloria Richardson pushes away state trooper's gun.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Dec 22

January 20, 2025: Elon Musk and President Trump ruminate over Inauguration Day's reception by the public.

Penguin and Max Schreck from Batman Returns stand in for Elon Musk and Donald Trump

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Oct 26

This week's Agatha All Alone wasn't just the best episode of the show. It was one of the best episodes put out by Marvel ever and one of the highlights of the year for all of television. Kudos to Jac Schaeffer, writers Gia King and Cameron Squires, and the immaculate Patti Lupone.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Oct 20

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Mar 23

X-Men97 delivered on all my hopes for it and more. Great adaptations of The Trial of Magneto, de-powered Storm, and set up for Madelyne Pryor. I was worried about the voices, but Sealy-Smith and Dodd sound great! It has stirring drama and action. It's a great time to be a fan.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Dec 25

One of the greatest films of all time. Both weird and unabashedly punk at the same time.

Caleb Smith@smithcal· Dec 10

I really love Comparative Religion. It is one of the many reasons I love Community's first season the most. But I can't argue that Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas or Regional Holiday Music aren't better.