I am back from Perth, which is just over 3000 km from where I live, still in the same country, and at sea level. I saw the Indian Ocean and dreamed of vast explorations that are unlikely to happen. I learned a great deal about many things.
The one I want to talk about today is what happens when the object of hate moves away from the finely-targeted despite and sees old friends and colleagues. While there were a few individuals I avoided talking at any length with and one person who had no idea what has been and is being done to Jewish Australia, I had an amazing and warmly welcoming 8 days in Perth. Everyone else saw me as an old friend or colleague or a new friend or colleague. My paper and my workshop had excellent attendees and a good number of them. The IHWA (horror writers!) sold my books for me and let me sit at their table and chat (and yes, I sold a bunch of books while I was there, some of which were mine) and… maybe the hate hasn’t yet changed the whole of Australia. Maybe there is hope.
I still have to write about the other stuff, because I’m still experiencing it every single day. Except… I didn’t experience it in Perth because I was surrounded by caring people who protected me.
How do we make that warmth and caring grow faster than the hate?