Amrita Chakrabarti Myers

Tomorrow! National Day of Action in Support of Higher Ed. Find an action near you. See attached flyer for IU Bloomington events. And, join the #aaup if you've not already done so. @aaup.bsky.social #academicsky #historysky #solidarity

...and broader climate in which I would be undertaking such a long-term and demanding academic commitment."

I can't blame them. Not. One. Bit. 2/2 #historysky

In my inbox today:

"After considerable reflection, I have ultimately decided to pursue doctoral studies in Canada. This decision was influenced in large part by the current political volatility in the United States, which has raised personal concerns about the stability... 1/2 #academicsky

Oh, thank you so much! I appreciate the affirmation. Look forward to hearing what you think of the book!

Additional details on my own page. Be well, all.

...and make the decisions to work with the conference. This is how many universities work, and it has been how the Big Berks has worked. For example, the contract with Santa Clara for the July 2023 Big Berks was signed on May 16, 2023, less than two months before the conference began."

But the Provost's office had the emails with all the components confirming, multiple times, their agreements to let us use the spaces & that their services were available. Indeed, the Provost's office helped us put this all together by sending us to the right people who could confirm availability...

From inside the Berks: "Contracts are not with the University; it's with the individual components at NU providing spaces and services. We had the dorms, the University Center, all the venues, etc. lined up. And they (NU) don't do contracts until February the year of for something in the summer...

From inside the Berks: "I do not know why they (Northwestern) pulled out. I do know that their withdrawal more than a month ago is not a plausible reason to cancel the Berks, given that our pivot to a hotel venue was going well & we had excellent, financially viable bids from Chicago area hotels."

Folks: do what you feel is right re: Berks. I will focus my support & energies, as I long have, on ASALH and ABWH. I've been a life member of these two organizations for many, many years, and I will continue to serve them as best I can. 🙏🏾🤎🧘🏾‍♀️ #historysky #academicsky

"I do not know why they (Northwestern) pulled out. I do know that their withdrawal more than a month ago is not a plausible reason to cancel the Berks, given that our pivot to a hotel venue was going well and we had excellent, financially viable bids from Chicago area hotels."

"...and make the decisions to work with the conference. This is how many universities work, and it has been how the Big Berks has worked. For example, the contract with Santa Clara for the July 2023 Big Berks was signed on May 16, 2023, less than two months before the conference began."

"But the Provost's office had the emails with all the components confirming, multiple times, their agreements to let us use the spaces & that their services were available. Indeed, the Provost's office helped us put this all together by sending us to the right people who could confirm availability."

From inside the Berks: "Contracts are not with the University; it's with the individual components at NU providing spaces and services. We had the dorms, the University Center, all the venues, etc. lined up. And they (NU) don't do contracts until February the year of for something in the summer..."

Someone who confirmed this yesterday and who, despite being unceremoniously FIRED without cause or explanation, is taking the high road and not publicly tanking an organization they love and have long served.

No. But why would I disbelieve someone who I know, who told me directly, who works at NU, and who has been working on the '26 Berks for a year?

💯.

So different from school to school!

I am not accusing Amy of anything, btw. I will note also that the co-presidents, both of whom are woc, were fired last week with no warning, effective immediately, and with no explanation as to why. So... I think there's a lot of stuff we just don't know.

Also, most University services don't sign final contracts for summer event services until spring the year of. Santa Clara signed off in May 2023, just weeks prior to the Berks. And, it's contracts made with individual offices, not the whole university...

I think there's a difference between the BoT of the Berks, which sent that email, and the conference co-presidents, who were doing all the work on the ground. They have a paper trail confirming the dorms, room venues, the University Center, and emails from the Provost, etc.

Indeed. One of the co-presidents of the 2026 Berks. And, of course, it was announced in Tokyo last summer. Most troubling is that Berks insiders claim NU didn't pull out until just last month. It's all very...odd. idk.

I read it, yes. I'm simply relaying what I know firsthand (from having been asked to serve on the program committee last May). And from my own conversations with Berks conference organizers.

It was confirmed, publicly, at more than one venue, prior to and after the CFP went out. And I'm hearing that NU didn't back out until last month... So something is off. 🤷🏾‍♀️

I'm confused. I was asked to serve on the '26 cmte in May '24. I declined for work reasons, but I was told then that it would be at Northwestern. Additionally, folks who attended related events in Tokyo last year confirm that NU was publicly announced there as the site for the 2026 conference...

Today: 1 day national purchasing boycott. No food, no gas, nothing. If you must buy something, buy local, & from a Black vendor.

Long term? Buy nothing but essentials from now on. Groceries & gas. Buy local when needed. Buy used from neighbors. Rent from the library. Support Black shops. #boycott

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Thank you for the opportunity. 🙏🏾

Today! Tune in at 6pm EST to hear us talk about Black women, labor, the dangers of historical erasure, and US History. Timely! #BlackHistoryMonth #Blacksky #Authorsky #History #Booksky