I am tired of hearing about allyship - Beth's Corner

At a recent all-staff meeting at YW Boston, we had a conversation about allyship. When the topic was introduced, I felt like I understood what it must be like to be a middle school teacher. Not because I think of my colleagues as middle schoolers but because of the eye rolling that ensued. Many people, myself included, are tired of hearing about allyship.

A quick definition of the word, compliments of Anneliese Singh from The Racial Healing Handbook, states that allyship is using one’s privilege to refute oppression. However, often the term feels surface level. While the intervention may help (and I say may because sometimes allyship can actually be harmful), it doesn’t require a personal sacrifice or an investment to truly upend systemic issues.

Consider two scenarios. Scenario one: You work for an organization that values performance on key projects for promotion. You, a White cisgender man, are selected to serve on your fourth high potential project. Your colleague, Laura who is a cisgender Black woman, has only served on one such project. You both joined the organization at the same time. You mention to your manager that it doesn’t seem like Laura has gotten the same opportunities and that you hope the organization is paying attention to that. After the meeting, you tell Laura about your conversation and you share it with friends outside of work.

Scenario two: Before speaking to your manager, you share with Laura that you’re concerned that projects aren’t assigned equitably across the organization and that you want to suggest that the organization create a team to examine the problem and propose changes. If she agrees, you ask her if she’d be willing to serve on the team and in what capacity. If she can’t be on the team, you ask if you can get seek her input. You then tell your manager that you’re excited for the opportunity, but think Laura should be selected since she hasn’t had many opportunities. You tell your manager that it appears that projects aren’t assigned equitably. You suggest that a team be created to look at the data and recommend strategies to address issues that arise. You say that you’re willing to serve as is Laura if she agreed.

While neither response is perfect, scenario two requires risk and sacrifice for our White man "ally". This is the type of action that leads to meaningful change. So, let’s stop using the terms ally and allyship without the work to back them up, and start engaging in meaningful action to eradicate systems of oppression.

Each April, YW Boston participates in YWCA USA's Stand Against Racism campaign. We encourage our community members to continue their learning about topics of anti-racism and specifically pledge what they will do to bring about meaningful change. I invite you to commit to action and to join us this April.

Register for Stand Against Racism 2021