Natasha's Legal Fund
Donation protected
About me
Hi there, thank you so much for being here! I’m Natasha, a final year medical student. It’s been quite a while since I started my journey to becoming a doctor (2013) – my mum is waiting patiently to dance and ululate when I graduate (one more year mum!) – and part of the reason why it’s taken me so long is that I have had a turbulent time at medical school, at the hands of doctors, faculty, patients, and students who racially harassed me until my mental health deteriorated and I had no choice but to leave.
Backstory
In the wake of George Floyd's murder, I imagine you have seen many institutions get called out for traditions and rituals steeped in racism, and creating an isolating experience for black people and other POC. This University was no different. During my time, there was an annual production that used blackface and derogatory depictions of black people. Watching this get celebrated year on year by other students and professors alike was such a deeply painful experience for black students. You can read more about the play here .
Eventually, I was part of a group that called the institution out on this, and other events of a similar nature. In raising this alarm, however, I was targeted and became a victim of racial harassment by students, doctors, and other faculty members.
University was already an isolating experience. But, I could not have imagined the intensity of the feeling of not belonging: in the aftermath of the play, the behaviour was relentless. Eventually, my mental health suffered and I physically could not carry on studying. My story is not unique, many people have experienced similar difficulties and face barriers when they whistleblow. I want to find a way to stop this happening to other people and so I’m looking for legal support.
The legal costs
The process of finding legal representation is long, exhausting and retraumatising – I have had to tell details of my story so many times to many different legal representatives and found myself close to giving up at each step. The good news is that I have found a firm willing to take on my case (wahoo)! However, this comes at a price. The first stage of the process involves the legal team acquiring all the information to set out a legal precedence to hold my previous institution accountable. This work will require:
10-15 hours of a solicitor’s time
6-10 hours of a Trainee or Paralegal’s time
1-2 hours at of a partner’s times
This amounts to £5,400. Yes, I was as surprised as you are. For me, this is a paralysing amount. I don’t have that much money. The cost of taking action and seeking justice has made the entire experience that much more bitter. It fundamentally remains unjust that the pursuit of justice comes at a price (one that is entirely beyond my capacity). Worse still, is the fact that the material cost of seeking justice is a firm barrier for so many who need it.
How can you help?
You can donate. As my sister always says no amount is a small amount. You can also share this with people you know!
Hi there, thank you so much for being here! I’m Natasha, a final year medical student. It’s been quite a while since I started my journey to becoming a doctor (2013) – my mum is waiting patiently to dance and ululate when I graduate (one more year mum!) – and part of the reason why it’s taken me so long is that I have had a turbulent time at medical school, at the hands of doctors, faculty, patients, and students who racially harassed me until my mental health deteriorated and I had no choice but to leave.
Backstory
In the wake of George Floyd's murder, I imagine you have seen many institutions get called out for traditions and rituals steeped in racism, and creating an isolating experience for black people and other POC. This University was no different. During my time, there was an annual production that used blackface and derogatory depictions of black people. Watching this get celebrated year on year by other students and professors alike was such a deeply painful experience for black students. You can read more about the play here .
Eventually, I was part of a group that called the institution out on this, and other events of a similar nature. In raising this alarm, however, I was targeted and became a victim of racial harassment by students, doctors, and other faculty members.
University was already an isolating experience. But, I could not have imagined the intensity of the feeling of not belonging: in the aftermath of the play, the behaviour was relentless. Eventually, my mental health suffered and I physically could not carry on studying. My story is not unique, many people have experienced similar difficulties and face barriers when they whistleblow. I want to find a way to stop this happening to other people and so I’m looking for legal support.
The legal costs
The process of finding legal representation is long, exhausting and retraumatising – I have had to tell details of my story so many times to many different legal representatives and found myself close to giving up at each step. The good news is that I have found a firm willing to take on my case (wahoo)! However, this comes at a price. The first stage of the process involves the legal team acquiring all the information to set out a legal precedence to hold my previous institution accountable. This work will require:
10-15 hours of a solicitor’s time
6-10 hours of a Trainee or Paralegal’s time
1-2 hours at of a partner’s times
This amounts to £5,400. Yes, I was as surprised as you are. For me, this is a paralysing amount. I don’t have that much money. The cost of taking action and seeking justice has made the entire experience that much more bitter. It fundamentally remains unjust that the pursuit of justice comes at a price (one that is entirely beyond my capacity). Worse still, is the fact that the material cost of seeking justice is a firm barrier for so many who need it.
How can you help?
You can donate. As my sister always says no amount is a small amount. You can also share this with people you know!
Organizer
Natasha Chilambo
Organizer