How to Be a Genuine Ally in 2022

I am often asked to conduct trainings?on?How to Be a Genuine Ally. A great deal of discussion about this topic increased markedly after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, but I noticed a decline in such discussions in 2021. However, recent events, including the discrimination lawsuit by Brian Flores alleging racist hiring practices by the NFL, and the current controversy surrounding the podcaster Joe Rogan’s use of racial slurs, made me consider this issue again.

Allyship is about advocacy and action, not solely intention. It is putting yourself at risk for the purpose of eradicating racism and supporting anti-racist work.?I found the actions of the coach of the Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr, who supported the boycott of games during the Black Live Matter protests, his work with other White people to increase their racial awareness, and his advocacy to hire a number of Black people in front office roles in the organization, to be an example of allyship in action. It’s not just the words, but the actions attempting to make systemic change.

It is evident that we are experiencing a major backlash against racial progress, with states rushing to restrict voting rights and to ban the teaching of books focused on anti-racist thought and the racist history of this country.??But this pattern is not new.??The history of this country demonstrates that any racial progress has been met with swift racist backlash.??After the progress made during Reconstruction, the backlash was in the form of repressive Jim Crow laws.??Following the gains of the civil rights movement, we saw a government-sponsored COINTELPRO attack on Black Power activists and the rise of the mass incarceration of Black & Brown bodies.??After the election of the country’s first Black president, we had to endure the election of a White nationalist, xenophobic, misogynistic president.??And now after the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, we are now dealing with attacks on critical race theory & on the teaching of racism in schools, the rise of explicit White nationalism in the halls of Congress, in our workplaces, and in our communities.??

As we continue to experience the racist backlash in response to the racial reckoning of 2020, if you are genuinely interested in being an ally in 2022, here are some ways for you to do so:

Validate colleagues and friends who discuss their experiences of racism, micro-aggressions, and other forms of bias?- when a colleague or friend comes to you to talk about their experiences dealing with racism, you might reflexively tell them it will be alright or to minimize the harm done.??However, by doing so, you may be inflicting further harm by invalidating their experience.??Although it may be painful to hear, seek to listen first, and to understand what that friend or colleague may need from you, sometimes it is simply to validate their experience.

Seek to educate yourself about racial trauma, micro-aggressions, systemic racism and other DEI issues –?after the murder of George Floyd, many well-meaning White individuals tried to educate themselves by asking Black colleagues to suggest reading materials to learn about race.??While it may have seemed like the practical thing to do, such a request places additional burden on those Black friends and colleagues, so you want to be mindful about making an effort on your own, to find the resources you need to learn about racial trauma, systemic racism, micro-aggressions, and other issues pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Vocally support those who have been harmed by racism, including micro-aggressions & unconscious bias- in many cases, it is not enough to voice your support behind closed doors to someone harmed by racism.??Being a genuine ally means taking a personal or professional risk, in service of countering racist injustice.??For instance, while the support of other Black coaches will help Mr. Flores in his lawsuit against the NFL, what would be most powerful is for White coaches and White players to loudly voice their support for his cause as allies, and to actively seek to change the blatant racist practices of the NFL. Colin Kapernick never received that type of support, which made it easier to marginalize him.??

Take accountability when you are accused of committing a micro-aggression or other biased act-?you can feel a great sense of shame or guilt, if you are accused of committing a micro-aggression or other racist act.??However, it is important to recognize that doing so doesn’t make you a bad person.??Rather, it provides you an opportunity to grow.??Instead of being defensive and immediately talking about your intent, take the time to listen and honor the negative impact your actions had on another individual.??Although it may be difficult to do so, stay present in the moment, take accountability, sincerely apologize, and don’t let shame cause you to withdraw.??The way for micro-aggressions and other forms of bias to be decreased is through active engagement with those you may have harmed.

Acknowledge that if someone commits a racist act, THEY ARE RACIST?- Joe Rogan’s defense for his use of racial slurs, and for comparing an event where the majority of the attendees were Black to the movie” Planet of the Apes” is that he was taken out of context, he was just trying to be entertaining, and that he is “not a racist.”??His behavior is the very definition of racism which is “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial group.”??You do not have to wear a KKK hood to be a racist.??Using racial slurs, in any context, and mocking a group of Black people by comparing them to apes are racist acts.??BIPOC people are tired of being gaslighted by individuals telling them they are “not racist” when their very words and actions demonstrate racism.??Being a true ally means acknowledging this reality, and calling out a person who displays racist behavior as being a racist. It does not mean that racist persons need to stay racists forever, since they have an opportunity to become anti-racist.??But doing so entails taking true accountability and working to become anti-racist.??Mr. Rogan was not sincerely contrite, but rather only made a statement after a compilation of his use of racial slurs was posted online.??Further, Spotify continues to mishandle the whole episode by being dismissive of the racism displayed by Rogan, in favor of maintaining his massive audience.

Advocate for the continued teaching about the legacy of racism in this country and talking about race?- the book banning wave has clearly targeted any material deemed to highlight the racist legacy of this country and systemic racism as a whole.??The current backlash promotes the position that history should not make White people uncomfortable or ashamed.??As an ally, it is critical that you advocate for the fact that teaching about history, including our country’s racist past & present, is not meant to shame, but to truly educate to eradicate such behavior moving forward.?

Own your privilege and challenge those who seek to deny their own- another part of the current racist backlash is the common refrain by some White people that they do not have privilege, because they grew up poor and under adverse circumstances.??The reality, which is supported by decades of research, is that White privilege is the fact that regardless of your economic upbringing, as a result of your Whiteness, you benefit from unearned advantages, such as never having to be concerned about being followed around in a store, not having to worry about your child being harmed by the police, or never being afraid to be in the “wrong” place or "fitting the description."??It means being given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to innocence, competence, and worthiness.??Being an ally means owning this privilege and engaging with those who seek to deny theirs.??Having privilege is not necessarily a bad thing, but rather denying it and the advantages it affords you are the primary challenges to creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces.

Make unrepentant, chronic racism a dealbreaker-after electing our first Black president in 2008, many in the U.S. were ready to declare a post-racial society. Most people with racial consciousness always knew that was not the case. And the subsequent election of a virulently racist, White supremacist, misogynistic xenophobe proved this point. Sadly, for far too many people in our country, about 74 million, unrepentant, chronic racism was not a dealbreaker in voting for Trump. For Joe Rogan's audience and for Spotify, racism clearly is not a dealbreaker. For NFL fans, racism is not a dealbreaker. As I noted, to be racist does not have to be a static state. However, if you are not willing to change and to learn how to become anti-racist, that is a major concern. Until allies recognize that creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive society means not tolerating or enabling institutions or individuals who are unrepentant about their racism, sexism, and other forms of bias, we will never be able to make transformative progress.

Being a genuine ally in our current polarized society can feel very threatening and unsettling.??However, it is during these moments, when racism and other forms of bias are on the rise, that allyship is so desperately needed.??Those allies who fought to abolish slavery and to uphold civil rights understood the dangers, but took the risk in order to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive country.??The hope is that many more people will become allies and take that risk as well, to create a more just and humane society.

How do you encourage people to be true allies???

If you are interested in helping your team to become better allies, sign up for a phone consultation.

#blackhistorymonth

The Joy and Justice newsletter is a weekly LinkedIn newsletter focused on exploring issues related to leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practice, most specifically how to bring joy to this work, while ensuring workplace justice.??The newsletter is produced by Richard Orbé-Austin, PhD who is a psychologist, executive coach, DEI consultant, speaker, and author.??Dr.??Orbé-Austin is the co-author of??Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life, the acclaimed book which provides a clear formula for defeating impostor syndrome.??His next book, which will be released in fall 2022, will focus on how to transform toxic workplaces into healthier environments, where everyone can thrive and succeed, by identifying key strategies for leaders & employees to implement for workplace joy & justice.??If you are seeking to transform your workplace into a more joyful and just environment, visit his?website?to learn more about the services which may suit your individual and organizational needs.???If you feel this newsletter has value, please feel free to share it with others who may also enjoy it.??If you want to learn more about impostor syndrome or leadership, visit Dr. Orbé-Austin's?blog page.