Becoming an Ally
What is an Ally?
An ally is a member of the agent social group who takes a stand against social injustice directed at target groups (whites who speak out against racism, men who are anti-sexist). An ally works to be an agent of social change rather than and agent of oppression. In the Safe Zone, most allies are heterosexual people who are allies to the LGBTQ community.
An Ally:
- Feels good about own social group membership, is comfortable and proud of own identity
- Takes responsibility for learning about own and target group heritage, culture and experience, and how oppression works in everyday life
- Listens to and respects the perspectives and experiences of target group members
- Acknowledges and unearned privilege receives as a result of gent status and works to eliminate or change privilege into rights that target group members also enjoy
- Recognizes that unlearning oppressive beliefs and actions is a life-long process, not a single event, and welcomes each learning opportunity
- Is willing to take risks, try new behaviors, act in spite of own fear and resistance from other agents
- Acts against social injustice out of a belief that it is in her/his own self-interest as well
- Is willing to made mistakes, learn from them and try again
- Is willing to be confronted about own behavior and attitudes and consider change
- Is committed to taking action against social injustice in own sphere of influence
- Understands own growth and response patterns and when she/he is on a learning edge
- Understands the connections among all forms of social injustice
- Believes she/he can make a difference by acting and speaking out against social injustice
- Knows how to cultivate support from other allies
~ adapted from “Becoming an Ally” complied by Pat Griffin, 368 Fells South, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003
