Robin Bernstein

Author of Freeman's Challenge: The Murder that Shook America's Original Prison for Profit. Reposts are not endorsements.

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

Available now! Freeman's Challenge: The Murder that Shook America's Original Prison for Profit.

Angela Y. Davis calls Freeman's Challenge "A provocative, robust and rigorously researched interrogation of the historical meaning of imprisonment."

https://t.co/eDgRD09Rsm

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

I'm stunned to announce that #FreemansChallenge has won the Herbert Lehman Award for Distinguished Scholarship. This prize, given by the New York Academy of History, "honors outstanding contributions to #NewYork State and City history." This means so much to me!
@UChicagoPress

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

If you could cast #TimCurry or #DollyParton, at any age, in any #Sondheim show, what characters would they play?

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

Thank you,
@scholars_choic_, for including #FreemansChallenge in your display at #c19!

@UChicagoPress

[#WOMENSART @womensart1]

Kantha in Bengali means cloth, traditionally made from the best parts of old worn saris or dhotis. Also the name of a way of stitching in which variations of running stitch are worked though all the layers of cloth, quilting them together, creating intricate designs #WomensArt

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

Today I had a phone call with a repairman. He called me Carol. I let it slide. After we hung up, he called me back.
Repairman: I just realized I called you Carol. I'm sorry.
Me: That's OK. I've been called worse.
Repairman: Thanks for understanding, Robin.
Me: No problem, Carol.

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

Thank you, Kate Carpenter, for your amazing podcast, Drafting the Past! Kate interviews #historians about how--and why--we do what we do. I loved talking with her about what I call the "disco ball of integrity." https://t.co/GUoPgNnM7r. Plus: swag!

[📚The Writing Community Chat Show / The WCCS 📚 @writing_show]

Robin Bernstein – Freeman's Challenge: The Murder that Shook America's First Prison for Profit. https://t.co/NzuGWiHRBJ

[UChicagoPress @UChicagoPress]

Many congratulations to historian Robin Bernstein, whose book FREEMAN'S CHALLENGE was named a nonfiction honoree by the Massachusetts Book Awards! Read more about the award and the book here: https://t.co/sd1gK76o5I

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

@ievaju @ucpress Yes!!!

[#WOMENSART @womensart1]

'Sunshine'
by Delita Martin,
contemporary US artist #WomensArt #July

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

Many thanks to @blstpodcast for this great interview! It was an honor to talk with you about the true origins of #PrisonForProfit (spoiler alert: it started half a century before the #CivilWar and the #13thAmendment).

@UChicagoPress #FreemansChallenge

[The Black Studies Podcast @blstpodcast]

Listen in as Robin Bernstein talks about Black Studies, historical writing, and the inheritances of our antiblack history. Here or at your fave stream:

https://t.co/agnO97jDcV

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

PS: What's my favorite poem by Chocolate Waters @choczilla? Probably "Question/Answer." P. 68 in the new issue of @Sinister_Wisdom. Get it and you'll have it.

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

How excited am I about the newest issue of @Sinister_Wisdom ? It's a compendium of poetry by Chocolate Waters. This is the perfect way to introduce a new #Sapphic generation to this biting, sexy, funny, intense work. Thank you, editor @JulieREnszer and @choczilla!

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

I came up with some rhymes that tickle me. My GF says they're awful.
"We can make bricolage in my ecolodge,
But Baby, don't bogart the folk art."

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

In this clip with @positivetradio , I talk about what the #UndergroundRailroad was--and wasn't--and how #WilliamFreeman 's family was a part of this heroic effort.

@UChicagoPress #BlackHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory #Slavery #Freedom

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

TODAY! Live at 3pm!

[📚The Writing Community Chat Show / The WCCS 📚 @writing_show]

Upcoming Interview: Robin Bernstein!

This Friday, join us for an incredible conversation with Robin Bernstein, Harvard professor and acclaimed cultural historian!

We'll be diving into her groundbreaking new book, Freeman's Challenge: The Murder that Shook America's Original Prison for Profit, which has won multiple prestigious awards, including the 2025 PROSE Award and the Montaigne Medal. 📚

Robin will share insights into her exploration of U.S. racial history, the origins of the prison-for-profit system, and the profound impact of her work on today's conversations about justice and inequality.

Whether you're passionate about history, race studies, or social justice, this episode is a must-watch! 🔥

👉 Tune in this Friday to hear from one of the leading scholars in the field! 8pm UK time.

#RobinBernstein #FreemansChallenge #USHistory #CulturalHistory #RacialJustice #HarvardProfessor #BookInterview #SocialJustice #PrisonForProfit #TheWritingCommunityChatShow

[Robin Bernstein @RobinMBernstein]

Airing TODAY!

@UChicagoPress

[Positive Talk Radio @positivetradio]

This week on Brushwood Media Network, Robin Bernstein uncovers the disturbing roots of America’s first for-profit prison and its impact on justice today. Eye-opening and essential. ⚖️

📅 Airs July 9 at 5:00 PM & 12:00 AM EST
Listen here: https://t.co/BnZzx89fX7

[📚The Writing Community Chat Show / The WCCS 📚 @writing_show]

Upcoming Interview: Robin Bernstein!

This Friday, join us for an incredible conversation with Robin Bernstein, Harvard professor and acclaimed cultural historian!

We'll be diving into her groundbreaking new book, Freeman's Challenge: The Murder that Shook America's Original Prison for Profit, which has won multiple prestigious awards, including the 2025 PROSE Award and the Montaigne Medal. 📚

Robin will share insights into her exploration of U.S. racial history, the origins of the prison-for-profit system, and the profound impact of her work on today's conversations about justice and inequality.

Whether you're passionate about history, race studies, or social justice, this episode is a must-watch! 🔥

👉 Tune in this Friday to hear from one of the leading scholars in the field! 8pm UK time.

#RobinBernstein #FreemansChallenge #USHistory #CulturalHistory #RacialJustice #HarvardProfessor #BookInterview #SocialJustice #PrisonForProfit #TheWritingCommunityChatShow

[📚The Writing Community Chat Show / The WCCS 📚 @writing_show]

Opportunity! 🔥

This Friday, The Writing Community Chat Show welcomes Robin Bernstein – Harvard Professor, award-winning author, and one of the leading voices on race, culture, and history in America.

Robin’s latest book, “Freeman's Challenge: The Murder that Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit,” is already earning high praise from Angela Y. Davis, Ibram X. Kendi, Heather Ann Thompson, and more. Her work has changed how we see race, childhood, and performance in US history.

🎙️ Here’s the twist… CJ won’t be in the hot seat this week. Instead, YOU could join Chris Hooley live to co-host and interview Robin yourself. That’s right: a rare chance to sit across (virtually) from one of Harvard’s most compelling minds and ask your own questions.

✨ This is your moment to step into the spotlight. Will you take it?

👀 Tag someone who would absolutely smash this opportunity or drop us a message if you’re brave enough to join.

📅 Friday, 8PM UK Time.