"10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship" (May 2020)
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1. 10 Steps To Non-Optical Allyship
2. 1 | Understanding what optical allyship is
"allyship that only serves at the surface level to platform the 'ally', it makes a statement but doesn't go beneath the surface and is not aimed at breaking away from the systemsof power that oppress."
-Latham Thomas
2 | Check in on your black friends, family, partners, loved ones and colleagues
This is an emotional and traumatic time for the community, and you checking in means more than you can imagine. Ask how you can provide support.
3. 3 | Be prepared to do the work
Understand that coming to terms with your own privilege will not be a pretty or fun experience. It is necessary to feel feelings of guilt, shame and anger throughout the process.
4 | Read up on antiracist works
It is not enough to dislike racism, you need to work towards antiracism. The following will be essential for your learning: Me And White Supremacy (Layla Saad) and How To Be An Antiracist (Ibram X Kendi).
4. 5 | Avoid sharing content which is traumatic
Whatever your intentions, it is vital to consider sharing videos of black people being abused and hurt can be both traumatic and triggering for many black people. Avoid sharing this content as it increases also to the dehumanisation of black people.
6 | Donate to funds and support initiatives
Consider supporting platforms and initiatives which support black people, such as the Minnesota Freedom Fund, support black-owned funding platforms like Kwanda and sign petitions. 'Put your MONEY and PEN where your mouth is.
5. 7 | Do not centre this narrative around yourself
Whilst it is nice that you can relate and empathise, now is not the time to insert your personal experiences into a narrative that isn't about you. This is actually harmful and takes away from the severity of the situation. Leave your ego.
8 | Keep supporting after the outrage
It should not take an act of brutality or the virality of a situation for you to suddenly show your support. Keep supporting black media, black initiatives, charitable organisations and continuing your work AFTER the attention has died down.
6. 9 | Stop supporting organisations that promote hate
If you read pieces on media platforms that promote hate or fund supremacist and hateful organisations, you are contributing to the problem. Equally, stop supporting organisations that love 'black culture', but fail to speak up on issues affecting the black community.
10 | Start your long-term strategy
How are you making a long term impact or affecting change? Can you mentor a young person? Can you become a trustee for an organisation that supports the black community? Could you offer your time to volunteer? Maket he effort to do something valuable over a longterm period.
7. Further Reading
No White Saviours (@nowhitesaviours)
Layla Saad (@laylafsaad)
Rachel Cargle (@rachel.cargle)
Check Your Privilege (@ckyourprivilege)
Rachel Ricketts (@iamrachelricketts)
The Great Unlearn (@thegreatunleam)
Reni Edda-Lodge (@renieddolodge)
Ibram X. Kendi (@ibramxk)
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For a note on who I am to those who have followed me from Twitter, my name is Mireille. I'm an assistant editor and I do freelance writing, PR and sensitivity reading and other bits on the side. I am extremely passionate about diversity and inclusion, and everything I have shared is not new knowledge to me. From as far back as I can remember I've been campaigning, fighting for equality and supporting and working with black owned organisations. I have worked in the diversity and inclusion space for around four years and I have been equipped with knowledge, skills etc through that work as well as through wider, intensive reading and being raised by a Jamaican mother who has a degree in Women's Studies. I felt as a mixed race person who was emotionally capable despite the current situation that I could use my learned experience, skills and compassion to offer this advice to allies and anyone else who was seeking advice but didn't know where to turn. This is now on my stories as a highlight so please feel free to share from there or here.
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A small reminder that this took emotional labour and POC, especially black people are not here to teach you everything. When I said ask how you can support, I meant on a personal level as a friend etc. I hope this toolkit provides you with the starter info you need but there are genuinely people more experienced than me who warrant your listening to - please go and follow @nowhitesaviors, @laylafsaad, @rachel.cargle, @ckyourprivilege, @iamrachelricketts, @thegreatunlearn, @renieddolodge, @ibramxk + a few more: @akalamusic, @katycatalyst + @roiannenedd who all have books or resources from many more years of experience.
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