What it means to be a Good Ally

Our world is hurting. If we’re honest, it’s always been hurting, but it’s never been as obvious as it is right now.

Injustice is nothing new. Inequality has always existed. Judgement, prejudice, privilege...it’s virtually impossible to go about your day without these words hitting you from all angles. They hold power, and it can be exhausting to take it all in. It’s okay to feel tired, but it’s not okay to stop fighting.

I don’t mean fighting in terms of violence, destruction, or mayhem. Fight to educate others. Fight to advocate for those whose voices are being silenced. Fight for equality for those who feel they’ve never had a voice at all. This is what it means to be an ally.

As a straight, white, able-bodied, educated person, I cannot deny the privileges I experience. As a woman, I cannot deny the obstacles I have, and will continue, to face. As an ally for any and all marginalized groups, it’s important that I admit that I could never truly understand the experience of a racial minority, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities...but I can use the privilege I have to support them.

I can call out a racist, sexist, homophobic, or ignorant comment someone makes. I can educate the people around me about the challenges that others face. I can continue to work with these populations, to help them uncover the courage to share about their own experiences. Most importantly, I can recognize that another human being’s fight for equality doesn’t detract from my own experience.

You may be feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically drained by the recent happenings. It’s okay to feel deeply. Being a true ally requires us to understand that many people feel this way every single day of their lives, and it’s our job to put an end to it.

Here are some resources to challenge yourself to become a strong ally.

Reading:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
White Rage by Carol Anderson
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
8 Books To Read on Racism and Privilege

Following:

Rachel Cargle @rachel.cargle
Louiza Doran, @accordingtoweeze
Myisha T. Hill, @myishathill @checkyourprivilege
Ibram X. Kendi, @ibramxk
Layla Saad, @laylafsaad

Watch:

13th (Netflix)
The Black Power Mixtape (YouTube, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu)
Selma (YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Vudu)
American Son (Netflix)
Freedom Riders (Amazon Prime)
The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross (Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu)
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu)
The Hate U Give (Google Play, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube, Vudu)