The lack of solidarity and allyship, even from people who consider themselves allies. The lack of understanding of intersectional power structures, and how they may mean completely different experiences for different people.
Having a platform here has been great- it's the only place I've really felt I've had a voice. I've been targeted relentlessly, and while many people find the level of harassment shocking - honestly, this is just what many of us experience in academia but more out in the open
Normally, it's threatening conversations behind closed doors, marginalisation in collaborations, being excluded/not promoted. At least here it's out there for everyone to see - the misogyny, the racism, and just the hate against those who challenge mostly privileged white men
I've had more solidarity here, and developed more rewarding relationships than I have in probably a lifetime. It's one of the things that gave me the strength to take the huge step we did, moving to Australia.
I know things aren't necessarily going to be better on the COVID front in terms of policy- but the outdoor life, and weather & just the architecture (better ventilated) makes things a lot easier. And the fact that healthcare isn't decimated. Education is well funded.
Yes, the media is going to have the same issues, and the abelism, and normalisation of 'return to normal' and all of that. But I'm hoping that it'll be a friendlier place where we can live fuller lives.
I'm sorry I wasn't fully transparent about this from the start. Given the targeting I've been at the end of, I thought this would lead to further harassment, including attacks on my family, who have sadly also become targets through all this.
We moved a few weeks ago and are settling in. It's been overwhelming, exciting, but also emotional- processing the grief of leaving a place and people I love. I do miss home. But we had to leave because it stopped feeling like a safe place a while ago.
I'm sorry if people feel let down reading this. I know I'm in a very privileged position to be able to up and leave, and most people can't afford to do this. I will continue to be vocal on twitter when I can (& when mental health allows).
I'm continuing to follow the situation in the UK (and now in Australia as well), and the more I see, the more I feel like we made the right decision - however painful it might have been.
@dgurdasani1 Congratulations and good luck with the move!