Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Change is amongst us. Between constantly evolving terminology, adaptation of new ideas, and embracing positive change, it’s important to stay in tune with respectful practices and supportive implementations to ensure you are being as inclusive as possible.
A new phrase for most is “ally”. Many label themselves as allies, but are you being a true ally? Are you sparking change in a constructive, inclusive way? In this week’s blog, we identify what it means to be an ally, how to ensure you’re practicing the most effective approach, and how to become an ally of all.
What is an Ally?
An ally is an individual or group that stands in support of members of another group that is being or has been discriminated against or treated unjustly. An ally is someone who makes it their personal mission to fight oppression through various practices.
How to be an effective Ally
· Connect and listen to those of marginalized communities about their experiences, frustrations, and feelings
· Educating yourself about different identities and experiences
· Challenging your own prejudices and discomfort
· Take action to create societal and institutional change
· Speak up: If you hear or see something, say something
What is NOT an Ally
· Assume you understand the experiences of marginalized groups because of that one movie you saw, or the Malcom X book you’ve read
· Telling people, you aren’t privileged because you’ve had hard times growing up
· Appropriating culture that is not yours
· Handing out unsolicited advice on how not to get negative reactions from the discriminating party (“If you didn’t run from the police,
they wouldn’t have shot”)
Don’t know where to begin?
It’s okay to not know where to start. The best thing to do if you’re in this situation, is begin educating yourself. Sign up for informational sessions, read books, connect with someone who is willing to have a conversation about what allies mean to marginalize communities. Taking the right steps to becoming an ally is important, once you’ve committed to the education and time it takes to make a change, there’s no telling how far we can go, in the efforts to create an inclusive world for all.