Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
@melaniecrofts.bsky.social
Head of EDI, Ass Prof, Critical Race Theory, anti racist, EDI, intermittent runner, ex academic.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Resistance needs physical care of rest-in-motion - Exercise.
“Physiologically, what we know about adrenaline and oxytocin is that these things get lodged in your body. And so if you haven't been—this is an important time to keep your body in physical motion” organizingmythoughts.org/finding-your...
“Physiologically, what we know about adrenaline and oxytocin is that these things get lodged in your body. And so if you haven't been—this is an important time to keep your body in physical motion” organizingmythoughts.org/finding-your...
Finding Your Stride in the Struggle
“This is the moment to find a new gear,” says organizer Daniel Hunter.
organizingmythoughts.org
April 5, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Resistance needs physical care of rest-in-motion - Exercise.
“Physiologically, what we know about adrenaline and oxytocin is that these things get lodged in your body. And so if you haven't been—this is an important time to keep your body in physical motion” organizingmythoughts.org/finding-your...
“Physiologically, what we know about adrenaline and oxytocin is that these things get lodged in your body. And so if you haven't been—this is an important time to keep your body in physical motion” organizingmythoughts.org/finding-your...
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
All Labour has achieved by doing so is to alienate people who may have supported them and increase the salience of issues, such as trans individuals and migrants, for the likes of Reform to hammer them on. It is a lose/lose strategy from any way you look at it. 8/
March 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
All Labour has achieved by doing so is to alienate people who may have supported them and increase the salience of issues, such as trans individuals and migrants, for the likes of Reform to hammer them on. It is a lose/lose strategy from any way you look at it. 8/
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Labour is currently making the choice to abandon the principles which led people to support them in favour of chasing the votes of those who never will. In practical terms, benefits cuts, increased deportations, permanent puberty blockers ban, they've already gone further than Conservatives did. 7/
March 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Labour is currently making the choice to abandon the principles which led people to support them in favour of chasing the votes of those who never will. In practical terms, benefits cuts, increased deportations, permanent puberty blockers ban, they've already gone further than Conservatives did. 7/
@genkitchenmp.bsky.social This would be a popular move! Can't we punch up instead of punching down all the time!? Those with wealth have seen massive increases, while those already struggling will be screwed over more #NoToDisabilityCuts #NoMoreAusterity #ProgressiveTaxation
There is an alternative to Government welfare cuts - a 2% tax on wealth. There is no shortage of money here, we just need a fairer approach to tax - take more from the few not the many.
March 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
@genkitchenmp.bsky.social This would be a popular move! Can't we punch up instead of punching down all the time!? Those with wealth have seen massive increases, while those already struggling will be screwed over more #NoToDisabilityCuts #NoMoreAusterity #ProgressiveTaxation
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Austerity is a false economy
Soaring UK crime costing up to £250bn a year, says thinktank
Policy Exchange report blames austerity for breakdown in policing and criminal justice
buff.ly
March 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Austerity is a false economy
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
That’s a wider issue in any case:
This is the SPD’s worst result ever.
It is the CDU’s second worst result.
It is the AfD’s best result so far and basically a doubling of their %
So really: no time at all for any kind of complacency; the far right was not defeated.
/endPS
This is the SPD’s worst result ever.
It is the CDU’s second worst result.
It is the AfD’s best result so far and basically a doubling of their %
So really: no time at all for any kind of complacency; the far right was not defeated.
/endPS
February 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
That’s a wider issue in any case:
This is the SPD’s worst result ever.
It is the CDU’s second worst result.
It is the AfD’s best result so far and basically a doubling of their %
So really: no time at all for any kind of complacency; the far right was not defeated.
/endPS
This is the SPD’s worst result ever.
It is the CDU’s second worst result.
It is the AfD’s best result so far and basically a doubling of their %
So really: no time at all for any kind of complacency; the far right was not defeated.
/endPS
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
PS: I should also have mentioned that many, many constituencies, especially in the east, have the AfD at well over 30%. I’ve also seen plenty of results at over 40% there. That trend is very likely to continue as results continue to come in. The east will be AfD-land, likely no other way to put it.
February 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
PS: I should also have mentioned that many, many constituencies, especially in the east, have the AfD at well over 30%. I’ve also seen plenty of results at over 40% there. That trend is very likely to continue as results continue to come in. The east will be AfD-land, likely no other way to put it.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
That doesn’t have to happen. Grown-up politics could certainly offer better.
But given Merz’s record, and how he has positioned the CDU, I certainly don’t think tonight offers a reason for any kind of celebration.
The wind has not been taken out of the far right sails.
/end
But given Merz’s record, and how he has positioned the CDU, I certainly don’t think tonight offers a reason for any kind of celebration.
The wind has not been taken out of the far right sails.
/end
February 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
That doesn’t have to happen. Grown-up politics could certainly offer better.
But given Merz’s record, and how he has positioned the CDU, I certainly don’t think tonight offers a reason for any kind of celebration.
The wind has not been taken out of the far right sails.
/end
But given Merz’s record, and how he has positioned the CDU, I certainly don’t think tonight offers a reason for any kind of celebration.
The wind has not been taken out of the far right sails.
/end
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
“Schlimmer geht immer”, we say in German—it can always be worse. Yes, sure. But seriously: if that’s what we have to feel grateful for, the bar is truly low
This outcome, the way it looks now, is bad.
The fact that the AfD didn’t do even better really isn’t a good way of looking at this.
This outcome, the way it looks now, is bad.
The fact that the AfD didn’t do even better really isn’t a good way of looking at this.
February 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
“Schlimmer geht immer”, we say in German—it can always be worse. Yes, sure. But seriously: if that’s what we have to feel grateful for, the bar is truly low
This outcome, the way it looks now, is bad.
The fact that the AfD didn’t do even better really isn’t a good way of looking at this.
This outcome, the way it looks now, is bad.
The fact that the AfD didn’t do even better really isn’t a good way of looking at this.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
So what I am saying is this:
The top three parties are either far right (AfD) or happy to let pandering to the far right determine at least some of their policy.
In so doing, they primarily just enable the original.
That’s not a win; it’s not a good outcome.
The top three parties are either far right (AfD) or happy to let pandering to the far right determine at least some of their policy.
In so doing, they primarily just enable the original.
That’s not a win; it’s not a good outcome.
February 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
So what I am saying is this:
The top three parties are either far right (AfD) or happy to let pandering to the far right determine at least some of their policy.
In so doing, they primarily just enable the original.
That’s not a win; it’s not a good outcome.
The top three parties are either far right (AfD) or happy to let pandering to the far right determine at least some of their policy.
In so doing, they primarily just enable the original.
That’s not a win; it’s not a good outcome.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Anti-immigration policies inevitably don't "just" affect migrants. They have knock on effects which end up affecting everyone. You cannot push intrusive and hostile policies against migrants without them impacting on others.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Home Office contractor collected data on UK citizens while checking migrants’ finances
Official sent email to charity that suggested Home Office had data on ‘hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting Britons’
www.theguardian.com
February 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Anti-immigration policies inevitably don't "just" affect migrants. They have knock on effects which end up affecting everyone. You cannot push intrusive and hostile policies against migrants without them impacting on others.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
I do wonder how much we might start to see a backlash against the far right driven by disgust at Trump, Putin, etc in Europe.
People didn’t want to believe it could be this bad but now they get to see what the people who support the AFD like Musk are really about & overall we don’t want it.
People didn’t want to believe it could be this bad but now they get to see what the people who support the AFD like Musk are really about & overall we don’t want it.
February 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I do wonder how much we might start to see a backlash against the far right driven by disgust at Trump, Putin, etc in Europe.
People didn’t want to believe it could be this bad but now they get to see what the people who support the AFD like Musk are really about & overall we don’t want it.
People didn’t want to believe it could be this bad but now they get to see what the people who support the AFD like Musk are really about & overall we don’t want it.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Yet women are less likely to be in leadership positions than men.
Good article here countering the meritocracy myth. www.forbes.com/sites/tomasp...
Good article here countering the meritocracy myth. www.forbes.com/sites/tomasp...
Women, Men, And Meritocracy: A Scientific Perspective
Will the current backlash against diversity and inclusion boost or harm meritocracy?
www.forbes.com
February 22, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Yet women are less likely to be in leadership positions than men.
Good article here countering the meritocracy myth. www.forbes.com/sites/tomasp...
Good article here countering the meritocracy myth. www.forbes.com/sites/tomasp...
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
A classic quote from Malcolm X, who was assassinated 60 years ago today.
A classic quote from Malcolm X, who was assassinated 60 years ago today.
February 22, 2025 at 4:50 AM
“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
A classic quote from Malcolm X, who was assassinated 60 years ago today.
A classic quote from Malcolm X, who was assassinated 60 years ago today.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Good piece by @focusonlabour.bsky.social on how Labour's new Borders Bill will inevitably end up benefiting human traffickers, and punishing victims.
As with previous policies, the focus on "tougher measures" continues to leave people at more risk of exploitation.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gove...
As with previous policies, the focus on "tougher measures" continues to leave people at more risk of exploitation.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gove...
UK immigration policy is stuck in a race to the bottom
To eliminate the exploitation of migrants we must challenge and transform the systems and structures that make workers vulnerable to abuse.
www.bigissue.com
February 22, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Good piece by @focusonlabour.bsky.social on how Labour's new Borders Bill will inevitably end up benefiting human traffickers, and punishing victims.
As with previous policies, the focus on "tougher measures" continues to leave people at more risk of exploitation.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gove...
As with previous policies, the focus on "tougher measures" continues to leave people at more risk of exploitation.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/gove...
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
We need facts as never before.
3 years after Putin invaded Ukraine, I spent 24 hours with combat medics on the Ukrainian frontline.
Their courage, compassion, dedication & skill are astounding.
Please read & please never stop standing up for Ukraine. 🇺🇦
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
3 years after Putin invaded Ukraine, I spent 24 hours with combat medics on the Ukrainian frontline.
Their courage, compassion, dedication & skill are astounding.
Please read & please never stop standing up for Ukraine. 🇺🇦
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
‘We have a rule when we hear the sirens: if you’ve started operating, you don’t stop’: 24 hours with doctors on the Ukrainian frontline
Like the soldiers they battle to save, combat medics in Ukraine are under constant attack. Three years after the invasion, one NHS doctor bears witness
www.theguardian.com
February 22, 2025 at 8:19 AM
We need facts as never before.
3 years after Putin invaded Ukraine, I spent 24 hours with combat medics on the Ukrainian frontline.
Their courage, compassion, dedication & skill are astounding.
Please read & please never stop standing up for Ukraine. 🇺🇦
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
3 years after Putin invaded Ukraine, I spent 24 hours with combat medics on the Ukrainian frontline.
Their courage, compassion, dedication & skill are astounding.
Please read & please never stop standing up for Ukraine. 🇺🇦
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Minimum Income Requirements continue to rip families apart, leave children without a parent, and destroy lives. No-one should be forced to see their family split up based on how much they earn.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
'I don't earn enough money for family to be together - my son calls for his dad'
Jade Binmuda, her partner Thanawut Sriyaemwong, and their two children had hoped to settle back in the UK after falling in love and starting a family in Thailand
www.mirror.co.uk
February 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Minimum Income Requirements continue to rip families apart, leave children without a parent, and destroy lives. No-one should be forced to see their family split up based on how much they earn.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
The new US rules seem to be: If you’re not a white straight male, you got your job by DEI and are fair game for being removed.
What’s worse is that their peers seem to be sitting back and letting them.
What’s worse is that their peers seem to be sitting back and letting them.
“Was it because of his skin color? Or his skill? We’ll never know…”
Trump fires Black joint chiefs chair Hegseth accused of “DEI woke shit”
I know BlueSky is supposed to be all nice and positive, etc, but more people should be reading about stuff like this…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump fires Black joint chiefs chair Hegseth accused of “DEI woke shit”
I know BlueSky is supposed to be all nice and positive, etc, but more people should be reading about stuff like this…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump fires Black joint chiefs chair Hegseth accused of promoting diversity
US secretary of defense had questioned whether history-making air force general CQ Brown Jr got job because of race
www.theguardian.com
February 22, 2025 at 8:57 AM
The new US rules seem to be: If you’re not a white straight male, you got your job by DEI and are fair game for being removed.
What’s worse is that their peers seem to be sitting back and letting them.
What’s worse is that their peers seem to be sitting back and letting them.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Meritocracy means if you're a white man, you get the gig.
February 22, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Meritocracy means if you're a white man, you get the gig.
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
Just once, just *once*, I would love to see some interrogate the thought process which runs "BLM makes me uncomfortable. This is clearly a problem with the movement". Like, there's another possible explanation there guys?
February 22, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Just once, just *once*, I would love to see some interrogate the thought process which runs "BLM makes me uncomfortable. This is clearly a problem with the movement". Like, there's another possible explanation there guys?
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
This week on Wonkhe: TASO's Omar Khan presents evidence that inequality is a factor in a growing student demand for mental health support
Student mental health difficulties are on the rise, and so are inequalities
TASO's Omar Khan presents evidence that inequality is a factor in a growing student demand for mental health support
bit.ly
February 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
This week on Wonkhe: TASO's Omar Khan presents evidence that inequality is a factor in a growing student demand for mental health support
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
I have insomnia a lot lately so may as well share what’s literally keeping me up at night.
It’s a long list but tonight it’s flu. Yes, H5N1, but also seasonal flu. Firing federal scientists brings a flu-filled future.
Have you ever wondered how flu vaccine strains are chosen?
It’s a long list but tonight it’s flu. Yes, H5N1, but also seasonal flu. Firing federal scientists brings a flu-filled future.
Have you ever wondered how flu vaccine strains are chosen?
February 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I have insomnia a lot lately so may as well share what’s literally keeping me up at night.
It’s a long list but tonight it’s flu. Yes, H5N1, but also seasonal flu. Firing federal scientists brings a flu-filled future.
Have you ever wondered how flu vaccine strains are chosen?
It’s a long list but tonight it’s flu. Yes, H5N1, but also seasonal flu. Firing federal scientists brings a flu-filled future.
Have you ever wondered how flu vaccine strains are chosen?
Reposted by Dr Mel Crofts (she/her)
“The inhumane is being perpetrated on our watch. I’m here … to lend my unwavering solidarity to all those who recognise the unacceptable complacency of our greed-addicted governments who make nice with planet wreckers and war criminals, wherever they come from.” Tilda Swinton
February 15, 2025 at 7:46 AM
“The inhumane is being perpetrated on our watch. I’m here … to lend my unwavering solidarity to all those who recognise the unacceptable complacency of our greed-addicted governments who make nice with planet wreckers and war criminals, wherever they come from.” Tilda Swinton
This 👇🏼
Vance showing it's never been about "free speech". It's about boosting "their speech". It's perfectly reasonable to ban people causing distress outside of abortion clinics. It's not to ban words like trans and women from official documents as his government has #r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
JD Vance attacks Europe over free speech and migration
The vice-president's speech at the Munich Security Conference was denounced by several European leaders.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2025 at 8:14 AM
This 👇🏼