46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
…you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
…gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed…
Matthew 25:34-46 NIV
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you…
June 28, 2021. Mekelle. A day when the sky held its breath. When hope marched through silence and sacrifice sang through the streets. To the women and men who gave it all for dignity and freedom: may your courage echo for generations.
📷: Finbarr O’Reilly
With summer term now behind me, I’m stepping away from teaching for the rest of the calendar year—I return to the classroom with my Department of Political Science students in January. Today is bittersweet. But I leave prison knowing I am deeply loved by my students and that I love them right back.
Grateful to the @tufts.edu Prison Initiative of Tisch College (TUPIT) for creating a pathway for incarcerated students to earn a B.A. in Civic Studies from Tufts. It’s an honor to play a role in this transformative and liberatory work. Learn and donate: tupit.org.
Teaching in prison is one of the greatest blessings of my life. Journey of humility, vulnerability, intellectual rigor, and deep love. Just wrapped up my summer term course—The Art of Good Trouble: Policy, Politics, and Advocacy—after 14 powerful class sessions over 7 weeks. Onward!
One of the key takeaways I offered these changemakers: change never starts at the United Nations. The UN is a collection of member states—those states change only when their people do. Change begins locally.
Thanks UNAGB for inviting me back to speak. Always a treat. Onward!
These young leaders are already organizing, advocating, & taking action on issues that matter. I also shared insights from my work at Black Lion Strategies & @tufts.edu, & reflections from my own journey, which began at age 13 when I started advocating for maternal health.
I discussed the international legal frameworks that protect them, shifting American policies & public attitudes, & how young people can be powerful advocates for refugee rights in their communities. It was energizing to be in conversation with such an engaged, thoughtful group.
My talk, From Camps to Classrooms: The Global & Local Fight for Refugee Rights, explored current realities facing refugees, asylum seekers, & internally displaced people around the world.
Honored to speak at UN Association of Greater Boston Summer Institute in Global Leadership. 45+ middle & high school students from New England & as far as Puerto Rico, Lebanon, Pakistan, & China are partaking in an immersive program on diplomacy, public speaking, civic engagement, & problem-solving.
Should he get elected mayor, Mamdani will have an oversized impact on national politics as the leader of our country’s largest city, a city larger than many of our states.
The voters chose courage over corruption, hope over fear, the future over the past, and people over money.
Most powerful of all is that a politician who few knew of before this year has just defeated Andrew Cuomo—the disgraced former governor, political dynasty heir, and sexual predator—marking a refreshingly new era for New York state and local politics.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani! 🇺🇸❤️✊🏾
At just 33 years old, this democratic socialist state legislator from New York has pulled off a political earthquake: winning the primary election for Mayor of New York City. His campaign was bold, his policies visionary, and his integrity unwavering.
🎓🐘🎉 A special message from Alula, my puppy and your favorite @tufts.edu pawfessor:
PAW-BOOYAH to the Class of 2025! You hoomans did it! Now hurry up and leave Tufts so I can reclaim my giant zoomies park. I got squirrels to chase and you got naps to take! Go Jumbos!
#classof2025
We enjoyed some sightseeing, including a visit to @tufts.edu, where I teach. Of course, the highlight was introducing them to my furry child, Alula.
Here’s to brighter days for Tigray and all of Ethiopia, and to those who never stop working to make them possible!
Honored to welcome 2 of Tigray, Ethiopia’s most impactful humanitarians, Rita Kahsay of @irobanina.bsky.social & Dr. Dawit Kassa of EASE (Extending Access & Systems Enhancement), to Massachusetts! Their commitment to rebuilding our native war-torn Tigray is matched only by their impatient optimism.
Nathan is the kind of person who lifts everyone around him. I feel lucky to have taught him, & I know the entire @tufts.edu community & the Tufts University Prison Initiative of Tisch College (TUPIT) are just as lucky that he chose us, as much as we chose him.
Meet my student Nathan Miksch, the first formerly incarcerated student to start his bachelor’s degree in prison & finish it at @tufts.edu. Nathan was in one of my courses this spring & truly shined—he earned an A & brought such incredible energy & optimism to our class. now.tufts.edu/2025/05/15/a...
We’re proud to co-sponsor Meet the Media 2025, a premier event hosted by @statehousenews.com & @massterlist.bsky.social convening 300+ people to explore the evolving Massachusetts media landscape.
📅 June 5
🕗 8:00-10:30AM
📍 10 Winter Place, Boston 02108
📩 events.humanitix.com/meet-the-med...
#mapoli
The students are earning their BA in Civic Studies through Tufts’ Tisch College of Civic Life—first degree program of its kind in the world. Civic Studies challenges students to think critically & ethically about how to foster just, inclusive societies, & how to take action to make change possible.
Overjoyed & honored to be back teaching in prison. This summer, I’m working with a dynamic cohort of 19 students at MCI-Shirley in Massachusetts. Grateful to Tufts University Prison Initiative of Tisch College (TUPIT) for making this transformative work possible. Learn more & support: www.tupit.org
Honored to serve on @aclum.bsky.social board & to stand with those who defend our rights. Thanks to everyone who fought for Rümeysa’s release: classmates, professors, university leadership, union members, Somerville neighbors, elected officials, & the broader public across our country.
As a Tufts professor, I saw firsthand how her extrajudicial arrest shook our campus. The persistence of Rümeysa & her legal team is inspiring. Road to freedom is not over; still a legal battle to reinstate her student visa. I know everyone at Tufts looks forward to welcoming her back.
