“True allyship demands that it move from conversation to actions.” -Emmauel Acho                                                              In such a time where civil rights are more of a debate than ever, allies stand with these groups and do it correctly.

First, let us define what an ally is.

An ally as a verb is defined as “combin[ing] or unit[ing] a resource or commodity with (another) for mutual benefit” by Oxford Languages.

The job of an ally is not to speak on behalf of those they support, rather, give them the platform to speak for themselves. That is all every oppressed group has ever wanted; to be heard. The privilege of an ally is that they do not have to deal with the problems that the oppressed group they support has to deal with every single day. They get to choose when and when not to worry.

Some tips:

-Be self-aware: Recognize your privilege and understand the power it comes with. While you may feel pain from certain things pertaining to the group, it is not about you.

-Respect boundaries: If a group, for example, asks for only the people who are oppressed to come to a march, do not think that just because you are an ally you get a pass. This is just as bad as someone who is not ally because you are ignoring them and not listening.

-Educate yourself: It is a known fact that the education system in the U.S. has failed in truly educating us. ( Some examples: the disgusting things Cristopher Columbus has done, how slaves would get beheaded and their heads would be used as “scarecrows”, how their intestines would be ripped out through their mouths and wrapped around their bodies, how many innocent lives were lost in Afghanistan, the hell Arabs/Muslims went through post 9/11, etc.) It is your job to educate yourself and there is no one to blame but yourself for your ignorance.

-Speak up: At a TED talk, Clinton Smith said “I will live every day as if there is a microphone tucked under my tongue” and this is exactly how we should all live.

Feel free to leave more tips in the comments!

Source: https://libguides.kent-school.edu/race-racism-antiracism/ally