5 Actions to Renew Your Allyship Goals
"Being an ally can't just be about nodding when someone says something we agree with - important as that is. It must also be about action. It's our job to stand up for those who are not at the table when life-altering decisions are made. Not just those people who look like us. Not just those who need what we need." ― Kamala Harris
I hope you're all having a wonderful New Year so far. As we leave MLK Day and enter into Black History Month, I wanted to talk about renewing our commitment to allyship. We are allies when we stand, march, fight, and speak up in solidarity with marginalized individuals or groups. We are allies when we actively and consistently work towards their rights and inclusion. If you're ready to renew your work as an ally, here are the top 5 actions I suggest for you:
Reflect: Reflect, reflect, reflect, reflect. I start by looking at the books I read, the people I follow, the movies I watch, the newsfeeds I choose, how all of those build out my biases, assumptions, and stereotypes, and then how they in turn reflect in my actions and words.
Educate: I have spent a lot of time learning what I do not know when it comes to groups I ally with. What are their needs? Who are the spokespeople? Who should I follow on social media? What books should I be reading? As an ally, seek out diverse perspectives and voices - including within the groups you're allying with - and always learn from those who have lived experiences different from your own.
Listen: Take the time to listen to the experiences and perspectives of marginalized voices and communities. What conversations, in-person and online, am I having, and do I listen more than I speak? And when they tell me I'm not supportive, am I defensive, or am I willing to change?
Re-evaluate: Self-reflection, education, and listening all allow me the opportunity to see what privileges I have and how I can use those privileges to challenge systems of oppression. What privileges do you have? What spaces do people listen to your voice? What platforms do you have access to? And are you using your own privileges to amplify, or to minimize, the voices of marginalized communities?
Act: Allyship is not just about words, it's about action. It happens by taking concrete steps and actions to support marginalized individuals or groups. Use your voice to speak out against discrimination and injustice. If you witness someone being mistreated, advocate for them. Donate to organizations that support equal rights and inclusion. Volunteer your time and resources. Advocate for policy changes that support equity and justice.
Maintaining our allyship goals requires ongoing education, accountability, reflection, and action. By committing to these practices, we can work towards creating a more inclusive workplace where each and every one us gets the opportunity to belong and succeed.
Do the work
This week, I commit to amplifying marginalized voices, speaking up and challenging harmful behaviors, and recognizing where I have room for growth.
Spread the word
If you want to keep going
From Intention to Action: 10 Rules
for Allyship in the Workplace
What does it mean to be a good ally at work? How can I be an upstander? How can I find a community of support? And how can I ensure people belong here – and thrive? Join me for an interactive discussion on belonging and allyship at work and how we can each use our roles in our organization’s to build inclusive workplaces that last. With a mix of stories, scenarios, and practical rules of the road, let me show you how to find the courage to be workplace allies who move from good intentions to real action.
