By: Ashley Boyd
Many of the people we know who are concerned about social justice often ask, “what can I do?” and “where do I start?” Sometimes it feels like the systems of oppression that structure our society are too big or too ingrained to tackle. Yet, to do nothing is to be complicit. Here I provide 5 tips for being an ally that meet you wherever you are in your journey and help you think about ways to disrupt and begin to dismantle injustice.
1. Educate Yourself by Listening, Watching, & Reading
This is probably the most simple, yet can feel most daunting…and probably why you are here in the first place. So much research and scholarship exists on various systems of oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia) and their intersections. We recommend starting with books, articles, and videos written from the perspectives of persons who are marginalized and immersing yourself in various narratives from those standpoints. Thought pieces, our newsletter, interviews, books, and podcasts are all helpful tools to shed light on an area of injustice that may be less familiar to you.
And, not all individuals from a similar group may feel the same way, and thus it is important to understand the myriad positions that exist while unearthing the shared experiences that manifest across them. You can find resources through a simple Google search and reading reviews to establish their reception or by examining top book lists and resources for any given topic (ensuring the authenticity of the author, again). You might find it more manageable to begin in one particular area, such as antiracism or the gender spectrum, and work from there to seek narratives that have been published to educate others. It is crucial not to rely on a person in your life who may be from a marginalized group to educate you unless they wish to do so, as this can perpetuate harmful behavior and expectations, reflecting for instance, tokenism and placing an undue burden on that individual.
Guiding questions for educating yourself include: What area of oppression about which am I least knowledgeable? What questions do I have about this area? What types of media most appeal to my learning styles?
2. Reflect on Your Position
In conjunction with educating yourself comes reflecting on your position. Who you are—your background, family, nationality, religion, race, gender, and economic position—all influence the way you see the world. None of us is a blank slate but are filled with ideas on the world, politics, and people. Calling those to the forefront of our minds and being honest about how they influence us is crucial to becoming an ally. Our socializations are deeply embedded and we may have to unlearn stereotypes or misconceptions in order to more fully embrace humanity.
Reflecting on our positions means seeing who we are and how that positions us with regard to “in” and “out” groups; as a woman, for instance, how am I positioned by other women? How am I positioned toward and by men or toward and by those who are genderfluid? It is not enough to simply think about who we are, but we must critically reflect on who we are in relation to our worlds and to those within them.
Guiding questions about reflecting on your position include: How do I identify? What is seen and not seen in my identity? How do these aspects influence the way I see others and the way others see me? How might parts of my history or position affect the ways I react to new knowledge and people?
3. Find Organizations to Support. . . and Do
Our words must match our actions. If we truly wish to be an ally, we have to do something to embody our support. Many organizations exist, locally, regionally, nationally, and globally that address injustices. Support can range from financial contributions to volunteering time to providing services or offering talents. For instance, many local shelters are in dire need of items for refugees seeking asylum in the area. Or, if marketing is your strength, you might offer your services to a new non-profit that provides mental health services for youth. Finally, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has programs across the country that are addressing racial injustice legislatively and you could support their efforts.
Understanding what an organization wants and needs first is key. We cannot assume we know and take an imposing role; first we must listen by way of doing our homework and researching who is involved, what they do, and what they’ve outlined as their mission. We can also reach out and simply ask what is needed or how we might contribute.
Guiding questions about supporting established institutions include: What organizations exist that support the cause I seek to bolster? What are their main goals? What strengths do I have that I can draw on to help this organization? What context do I seek—local, regional, national, or global?
4. Take Daily Actions
While supporting an organization might incur a once per week or month time commitment, being an ally is a daily commitment. Each of us should locate ways, big and small, that we can disrupt taken-for-granted assumptions, support others, and/or advocate for groups. If, for instance, a colleague makes a problematic statement in a meeting, calling them out is an action that shows you are an ally. But, we shouldn’t have to wait for something to happen—we can be proactive as well. Seeking out supports for those who need them, educating others, and creating safe and equitable environments are all ways we can work daily in our spaces to cultivate allyship.
Guiding questions about daily actions include: How was an I ally today? What can I do to show my support tomorrow? What can I read or watch each day that helps me learn, grow, and show solidarity? Who in my daily community might benefit from an action, big or small?
5. Use Your Privilege
Scholar Bettina Love famously says that white people’s privilege is like a bank account that continuously renews itself. Her advice, then, is to use it for the good as much as possible. After we reflect on our positions, we can locate the privileges we have and determine ways to use them for the advancement of others. For example, if, in a meeting I notice a junior woman colleague being dismissed or unable to take the floor, and I am privileged as a senior member (and/or white man), I can draw the group’s attention to our colleague. If, as a white person, I notice someone mispronouncing a person of color’s name after they have been corrected, I can remind them by saying the name correctly aloud. We can also use our privileges to solicit support in broader ways, such as establishing foundations, garnering backing for a cause, and making changes in a community that promote safety and justice.
Guiding questions about using your privilege include: What privileges do I possess that correspond to specific parts of my identities? What do they afford me that they do not others? When are instances in which I might use those to advocate for others?