The Guide to Effective Allyship
By Jaleigh Croft
The first few months of 2020 saw the power of the collective people as the world called for justice in the police murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Elijah McClain, and many more before them. In light of these times, it's worth inspecting our own role in the movement and learning how we can use our allyship effectively. How does allyship and the subsequent safe space look within our "new normal"? How can we ensure that, as the world continues to social distance, we stay connected enough to help in the fight for marginalized rights?
Just like you, I'm constantly working to improve upon my allyship, so this guide is not nearly as comprehensive as those from professional activists (more on that later). With sisterhood being the main focus of our team's mission, I wanted to share with our fellow Wanderlettes the tips that have aided me through my own journey of activism, which – upon closer inspection – relied a lot on adequate and productive safe spaces.
UNDERSTANDING “SAFE SPACE”
This phrase has garnered a lot of attention in mainstream culture, specifically in an attempt to mock the marginalized groups that benefit from having a dedicated space to express feelings and share experiences. However, I find that safe spaces can be unifying and a big step toward a more compassionate and understanding world. Additionally, the recent incidents of police brutality and news of the Trump administration reversing protections for transgender individuals in the U.S. healthcare system (despite the increased violence against trans people that disproportionately affects trans women of color) prove how important it is to create a space that allows us to voice our frustrations and feel comfort from those around us. A safe space may look different to many people, but I find a beneficial, safe space to be one that provides comfort while also endorsing positive change. It must intentionally offer constructive criticism, yield ideas, and aid productive conversations. They can be a place where even the most silenced voices are heard.
How can We Create Safe Space?
As part of a marginalized community - authentic, productive, safe spaces can be hard to find. Trans and cis women of color, along with gender-nonconforming people of color struggle more with finding safe spaces, as they are at the intersection of race and gender. So, how can we create more opportunities for safe spaces while also ensuring productive conversation takes place, all at a time when social distancing is imperative for our health? For me, the answer begins with inspecting my own allyship. Below are things I did (and continue to do) to make spaces more inclusive.
Read up!
Business Insider has a brilliant list of educational reads about race and white privilege, but some of my favorites are "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander and "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria" by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum. Part of being an ally is seeking out educational resources without expecting aid from your marginalized friends. Read up on the work of professional activists, as they have experience teaching others how to do better for communities. These resources also go beyond just educational books. Fiction is a great way to learn about others' experiences while also supporting writers within marginalized communities. My absolute favorite fictions are "The Taste of Salt" by Martha Southgate, "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, and "Giovanni's Room" by James Baldwin. For more, a quick google search will take you to extensive lists of books by marginalized authors that tell about their stories.
Check your privilege
A lifetime of unchecked privilege can lead to a lifetime of harm and ignorance. Ask yourself the uncomfortable questions. Do I use my position of privilege to speak out against the injustices faced by marginalized groups? Is my language inclusive of all individuals? Am I unintentionally allowing stereotypes and prejudices to guide my actions and attitudes of others? Upon conscious inspection, you may find that you were inherently exclusive of others. If that happens, hold yourself accountable and acknowledge any harm you may have caused others. For many, this is daunting, as admitting our mistakes even in our proudest moments is embarrassing. However, working to decenter your activism is a big part of being an effective ally.
Be patient with yourself
Being an effective ally is a lifelong journey of understanding and evolving. Nobody is perfect in their activism, as we all have lifetimes of harmful concepts and systems ingrained in us. The important part is learning to forgive ourselves for our mistakes. However, this also means that nobody has an obligation to forgive you for your mistake. After so many years of oppression, the pain that comes along with forgiving could be too much to bear. If you do need a space to talk about your guilt, seek other allies who understand the work it takes to fight for marginalized groups productively.
Spend wisely!
As simple as this tip seems, it makes a difference! Besides donations to organizations, monetary support of businesses that align with your values is a great way to ensure that even your smallest actions have big impacts. Do the companies you give money to align with your values? Do their practices reflect those values? Are they offering fair work opportunities for marginalized individuals? Consider shopping at Certified B Corporations, which are required to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, as well as public transparency, and legal accountability. You can also shop local, POC/LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Not only are the products or services you buy ethically sourced, but you also give direct monetary support to marginalized individuals. It's a win-win!
Go the Distance! But know when to take a break.
Do a mental check every so often to avoid information overload and activism fatigue. Ask yourself if you are in a good mental state to be the best advocate you can be for the community. If not, take time for self-care and get back at it when you feel well enough. If yes, ask yourself what you could improve on or do more of. Are you uplifting the voices of the marginalized, or are you overshadowing them? Are you participating in conversations of understanding with yourself and those around you? In accordance with our mission is to redefine sisterhood, Wanderlette is doing its part by curating a welcoming and productive, safe space with our Soul of Sisterhood (SOS) retreat. Whether by yourself at home or with a supportive group of Wanderlette sisters and siblings at one of our wellness retreats, checking in with yourself is an important part of effective allyship.
We hope you'll join the Wanderlette team on an upcoming retreat in continuing to forge our path toward a better future.