ALLYSHIP & ACTIVISIM RESOURCE GUIDE #01
WHAT IS AN ALLY?
“ An active, consistent, and ar-
duous practice of unlearning and re-evaluating, in which a person of privilege seeks to operate in solidarity with a marginalized group of people.
First and foremost, being an ally is an active process. To be an ally, one must be actively involved and participate in movements geared at obtaining justice or achieving liberation. It is not enough to proclaim one’s self as being antioppressive. It must be demonstrated frequently through their actions. Further, it is not up to an individual to decide if they are an ally to a specific group. To self-identify as an ally is to tokenize a struggle and to use it for one’s own personal gain.
CONCERNS
“ If you have come here to help
me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together. — Lilla Watson
It is important to note that as far as critical sociological theory goes, there are issues with the concept of allyship. The first major critique stems from concerns over the material outcome of allyship. The concept of allyship is an extension of privilege politics, wherein individual experiences are prioritized over addressing the systemic nature of oppression. It has the effect of being reductive and divisive, as well as failing to attack the power structures that create violence. People are more comfortable dealing in simplistic measures
of privilege and oppression—a false dichotomy—rather than questioning their own compliance with this structure. When reading this document and participating in activism, it is imperative that these criticisms are kept in mind.
The Dos and Do-Nots of Allyship Do be open to listening. Do be aware of your implicit biases. Do your research to learn more about the history of the struggle in which you are participating. Do the work of figuring out a way to acknowledge how you participate in oppressive systems. Do the work of figuring out how to change the oppressive systems. Do amplify (online and when physically present) the voices of those without your privilege. Do not centre yourself. Do not expect to be taught or shown. Take it upon yourself to use the tools around you to learn and answer your questions. Do not attempt to liken your experience with one marginalized identity to another. The manifestations of oppression and an individual’s experiences with them are highly variable. Do not behave as though you have all the answers. Do not take credit for the labour of those who are marginalized and did the work before you stepped into the picture. Do not assume that every member of a marginalized group feels the same way with regards to oppression.
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ALLYSHIP & ACTIVISIM RESOURCE GUIDE #01
HOW TO HANDLE MISTAKES No one is perfect, and this is especially the case when interacting with equity-based causes. Mistakes should be expected, but they need to come with a self-correcting mechanism as well. When you make a mistake, it is imperative that the following is avoided.
Centering yourself:
“I can’t believe you think I’m racist! I’m a good person!” Being called out for something you said or did is not a personal attack on you or your character. It is a call to action. Reflect on what has occurred and act accordingly, as opposed to placing the act of a microaggression on par with your (invalid in this case) hurt feelings.
Denying the existence of differential lived experiences: “Well, I don’t mind when people of colour make jokes about white people.” This tactic fundamentally ignores the existence of power dynamics and the ways in which those power dynamics impact individuals. What may hurt one person or group may not have the same effect on another, and this must be acknowledged.
Derailing:
“Some people have other problems, why aren’t we talking about them instead?” The fact that other people or other groups have significant problems does not negate the existence of other issues. There is no need to stratify pain or attempt to quantify whose oppression is worse. Oppression is an absolute wrong.
Refusal to centre the impacted:
“All lives matter!” Saying Black Lives Matter does not mean that other lives and other social identities do not also matter. What the phrase and the organization of Black Lives Matter is accomplishing is highlighting the specific struggle that Black people have continually faced. To actively combat oppressive systems, we need to dedicate the most time and the most work to helping those that are most vulnerable. This is why the difference between equity and
equality is key.
Tone policing:
“I’d listen to you if you were nicer.” The anger of oppressed peoples is an entirely justified response, and should not invalidate what they are saying. One’s support of marginalized groups should not be dependent on whether individuals from those groups are polite or civil to those who seek to support them.
Victim-blaming:
“You shouldn’t have been walking around in such a short skirt!” Placing the fault on the part of the victim, as opposed to the perpetrator, assigns blame to the wrong party. Those harmed by violence, whether that be on an individual or systemic level, are never responsible for their own victimization.
Withdrawing:
“I thought you wanted my help, but I guess not. I’ll just go home.” Responding passive-aggressively to not being centred in anti-oppressive struggles is counterproductive. Individuals hoping to be allies to marginalized peoples should take initiative in finding areas where they are able to contribute, rather than expecting those with a deeply personal stake in the work to accommodate them every step of the way.
FURTHER LINKS https://theantioppressionnetwork.wordpress.com/ allyship/ http://www.guidetoallyship.com/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-dodd/themythof-allyship-comp_b_4691110.html http://www.indigenousaction.org/accomplicesnotallies-abolishing-the-ally-industrial-complex/ http://everydayfeminism.com/2013/11/thingsalliesneed-to-know/ https://www.bgdblog.org/2013/09/no-moreallies/
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