(This article was previously published in the Winter 2021 edition of CPHR Alberta Magazine, the official publication of CPHR Alberta, and is reprinted with permission.)
"I AM AN ALLY." In social justice conversations, we hear this phrase often. It’s a mechanism or a term to make us feel we truly support and stand in solidarity with equity-deserving groups. But do we really know what an ally is and what steps we can take to be an ally? Most people know the word allyship and that it’s a good thing to be an ally, but the question that follows in most conversations is, "What can I do to be an ally? I don’t want to overstep or offend any group." There is no one right answer. But hopefully, this short read will guide you in how to be an effective ally.
Let’s start with the terminology. The Anti-Oppression Network defines allyship as an active, consistent and arduous practice of unlearning and re-evaluating, in which a person in a position of privilege and power seeks to operate in solidarity with a marginalized group.1 Many words in that definition need to be unpacked, but the two key terms are power and privilege. Adding privilege to the famous Spider-Man quote, it would sound something like, "With privilege comes great power, and with great power comes great responsibility." There are three things you should know about privilege:
Let’s look at this using a simple example of race and socioeconomic status. A white male may have more privilege than a Black male in navigating many Canadian institutions' systems. Using the same example, the white male might have grown up in poverty and couldn’t afford an education. So, the white man might lack privilege in that socio-economic dimension compared to the Black man who did get an education and grew up rich. With this understanding, we know we all come with privileges but also lack privileges. It is easier to think about where we lack privilege or are oppressed, but it’s encouraged to learn to get comfortable with where we hold privilege. Having privilege and power can be good if you leverage it to make a positive change.
It is not their fault that they were born with that privilege. The key question is, what can people do to make use of their privilege for the betterment of society?
Check your privilege often. Keep in mind this is not a right-or-wrong, us-versus-them or who’s-at-fault game. Understanding and knowing that you have power and privilege is a start toward using this power and privilege to make systemic change and break down systemic barriers.
Coming back to allyship, you recognize you have privilege and power. What’s next? Be an ally. Keep in mind that being an ally is a lifelong unlearning and re-learning process.
Here is what you can do to be an ally:
These strategies might not work in every situation. You will make mistakes even when you try your best or have the best intentions. The harmful impact should be prioritized over your good intention of not harming. We don’t have to be perfect. Striving for perfection is exhausting. So next time you make a mistake, ask yourself what you can do better next time, and then keep trying. The key to being an ally is not to stop.
NOTE: To shed light on various topics and from multiple perspectives within the IDEA space, we have collaborated with external contributors. As such, the views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those held by CCDI Consulting Inc.
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