SIS Equity Site: Newsletters

Allyship: Ways to speak up and make space for everyone

via @betterallies

Being an ALLY means working to dismantle the societal systems of oppression that limit opportunities for people of the global majority. It can look like putting yourself in a vulnerable position for the sake of another person who is being marginalized.

A true ally ...

• reflects on his or her own missteps and seeks to be better in the future
• calls in a friend who utters a slur or microagression to another person
• asks if a woman or a person of the global majority was considered for a promotion over themselves
• steps in to shield someone in a racially-charged confrontation with police
• is a person with conviction and courage regarding DEIJ issues

It's not easy to be a true ally

The first step is to build inner awareness and strategies for your own interactions and missteps.

The following suggestions are taken from the document "How to Monitor Impact over Intent" which was created after an incident on a panel discussion at a recent DEIJ webinar. 

1. Pause and receive -- ask questions only if you need clarity
2. Believe, take responsibility, and lean into your mistakes and missteps to reframe this experience as a way to learn, grow, and do better next time
3. Do the inner work to unpack why you caused the harm, address the harm caused, and acknowledge its impact
4. To work toward restoring trust, check in to ask if you may apologize without causing more harm
5. Apologize (without centering yourself or your intentions) by specifically naming and owning the oppressive harm. You should do this verbally, in writing, and (most importantly) through your changed behavior
6. Reflect and use this opportunity to learn, grow, and do and be better

Who can be an Ally? ANYONE and EVERYONE!

Here's a recent example:

• Podcast: The Director of the Pechersk School in Ukraine talks about supporting Ukrainian families

Resources to begin the work:

• Better Allies, a site devoted to "everyday actions to create inclusive workspaces" (free weekly newsletter)
  • In particular, see these excellent visuals with specific language to watch for and use
• Be a Better Ally, a podcast with Kathleen Naglee
• For working with students: The ABC's of Allyship (posters for $5.00 to print, sample below)

Upcoming Training

• EARCOS (Free) Implicit Bias Training, April 9
  • If we are able to be on campus, SIS attendees will gather in the Net Valley library

Share your experiences and perspective about Allyship:

example of ABC's of Allyship poster set (order via link)