OiYan Poon (she/her)

The state could have backed him but instead they demonstrated for the thousandth time that there is no level of respectability that will prevent white people from serving you up on a platter in order to appease powerful racists.

Raids, Retaliation, and Radical Solidarity in Chicago “History shows us that repression always breeds resistance,” says Chicago organizer Miguel Alvelo Rivera.

As ICE storms Chicagoland, Chicago’s organizers speak. Stacy Davis Gates, Benji Hart, Arti Walker-Peddakotla, Ric Wilson, and others discuss ongoing ICE raids, Trump’s threats to send in the National Guard, and the solidarity we need to survive these times. Audio + transcript:

this is what we saw on the ground in Broadview today.

thetriibe.com/2025/09/and-...

Goebbels Ends Careers of Five 'Aryan' Actors Who Made Witticisms About the Nazi Regime (Published 1939)

These are precedented times and the precedent is a loud ass warning

www.nytimes.com/1939/02/04/a...

I’ve been reporting on influencers for more than seven years now and today I had an academic decline to do an interview about them for the first time out of fear of government retaliation.

The best thing I've read this week is this concise and brilliant essay by Ta-Nehisi Coates. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/c...

Admissions for Democratic Merit - The Thurgood Marshall Institute at LDF This brief examines admissions systems and practices in colleges and possibilities for changes that expand opportunity for Black students and low-income students who face persistent barriers.

A must read comprehensive brief by @oiyanpoon.bsky.social on college admissions practices, how they developed & work today, & strategies for improving equity in admissions systems.

Being a Good Mentor Mentorship is a powerful tool in accelerating the development and careers of all scientists.

‪ “One way to stay grounded is to remember that we still have to meet our vocational obligations—to teach.” 

In our forum section, @oiyanpoon.bsky.social responds to David Asai’s essay reflecting on the current state of DEI in science education: issues.org/inclusive-sc...

When I interviewed Asian Americans for my book, one guy (he’d been an international student from China) said affirmative action was the new Chinese exclusion act. I wish I could find him now and say: no my guy, THIS revocation of visas targeting Chinese students is the new Chinese exclusion act.

Mothering with a Capital M in These Times: A Mother’s Day Reading List By Christian Coleman | The start of the forty-seventh administration in the White House sounded off the red alert for mothers of all stripes in the US. They were already on high alert during the years...

These books by @carolejoffe.bsky.social, @dsc250.bsky.social, @oiyanpoon.bsky.social and others are for you if you’re a mother or know mothers who can’t anymore with this admin and are looking for guidance. 💐 #MothersDay H/T: @colemanthe2nd.bsky.social

Flyer for book talk with splashes of red, yellow, black and brown, orange cover of book and headshots of OiYan Poon & Elizabeth Todd-Breland. "Asian American is Not a Color. Paperback Book Launch & Signing with OiYan Poon in conversation with Elizabeth Todd-Breland. Wednesday April 30th at 7pm at Call & Response Books, 1390 E Hyde Park BLVD. Register at www.callandresponsechi.com/events

Chicago! Tomorrow--Wed. 4/30, 7pm at Call&Response Books. Hear @oiyanpoon.bsky.social talk about her fantastic book: Asian American Is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family!

Nobody told me that Sinners was a touching love story! The ending had me weeping.

a man is sitting in a chair and pointing at something with the words that right there behind him ALT: a man is sitting in a chair and pointing at something with the words that right there behind him

"Act like universities, not like businesses. Spend your endowments. Accept more, not fewer students. Open up your campuses and expand your reach not by buying real estate but by bringing education to communities. Create a base. Become a movement."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/o...

I’m an academic and don’t understand endowments. wealthy AF colleges/univs need to leverage their collective wealth especially w the higher ed existential crisis, facing a mass stalker/murderer of higher Ed/research infrastructures. Thx @kevincarey1.bsky.social. www.vox.com/education/40...

A must ready by @kevincarey1.bsky.social today. www.vox.com/education/40...

Why don't the richest universities strategically and collectively use their endowments to lead the fight! If a forever legacy is what these leaders (and boards?) want, they need to act from their positions of wealth.

Current Campus Context: Exec. Order Dismantling the Dept. of Education, Weaponizing Federal Funding, International Students & Scholars - Student Affairs NOW In this episode (recorded at 5:08 p.m. on March 20), Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Crystal Garcia join Dr. Heather Shea to discuss the executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the polit...

Grateful for the opportunity to join the conversation on Student Affairs Now this week w/ @oiyanpoon.bsky.social & @heather-shea.bsky.social. This limited series, Current Campus Context, unpacks current news & its impact on colleges & universities. Tune in here: studentaffairsnow.com/currentconte...

Current Campus Context: Exec. Order Dismantling the Dept. of Education, Weaponizing Federal Funding, International Students & Scholars - Student Affairs NOW In this episode (recorded at 5:08 p.m. on March 20), Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Crystal Garcia join Dr. Heather Shea to discuss the executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the polit...

Drs. @oiyanpoon.bsky.social & @crystalegarcia.bsky.social join @heather-shea.bsky.social to examine the impact on fed programs, like TRIO and Fed Student Aid, DEI policies, and academic freedom, highlighting the broader threats to equity and higer ed's future.
studentaffairsnow.com/currentconte...

Kid’s progress report came in and the only grade I cared about was the B in social science. She’s the daughter of TWO social scientists. What are we doing wrong?! 😂

As a Jewish faculty member at one of these institutions, I am saying right now, in the clearest tones possible: not in my name. This violent exploitation of Jews as an alibi for achieving Fascist ends is itself textbook antisemitism.

History has shown that a strong democracy is what keeps Jews safest. At the core of strong democracies are free speech and education.

Trump's cancellation of $400M in grants to Columbia University, falsely in the name of Jewish safety, actively puts Jews in danger.

This is astounding. and I guarantee you that Jewish students, faculty, and staff are being harmed with this cancelation under a banner of "antisemitism."

the hate for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and the shuttering of these efforts is about wanting to get back to a time when straight white men could say/do anything they want, and that "unqualified" meant not being a wealthy white dude descended from the original white colonizers.

I have been rewatching Mad Men this last week, and wow... the blatant and unapologetic racism, sexism, and classism in words, deeds, and actions, without penalty or shame, depicted on the show, which starts in 1960 is what you'd imagine and worse. It struck me that ...

@oiyanpoon.bsky.social
Excited for this coming up in SIX days!!!! RSVP to tune in!!

I’ll probably regret it but I just commented on a neighborhood moms fb group thread about diversity, equity, & inclusion and Target’s revenue dip. Someone said they prefer that “qualified people” get hired, and I just couldn’t leave it alone. I broke my rule that FB is only for getting free stuff.

Love to 15 Attorneys General (including in Illinois!) for this legal memo/guidance reminding higher ed that "Fear of the “Dear Colleague” letter or the loss of federal funding is not a justification to impose or reimpose discriminatory practices."
illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/News-Room/Cu...